“Can you climb out of the window?” whispered Danny.
“Yes,” she said. But before she had time even to begin, a cry of horror broke from her, and Danny started violently, for a rough hand had been laid on his shoulder.
“All right, young scoundrel,” said Black Bill, as Danny turned round and faced him. “Out of the window? That’s your little game, is it? We’ll see about that!”
Taking a piece of cord out of his pocket he knotted Danny’s wrists behind his back, then tied his feet together. Dragging him round to the caravan door he propped him up against the steps and entered.
A few blows woke old Hannah from her heavy sleep. He could hear Black Bill giving her orders. His struggles to free himself were useless; and even if he could have run away he would not have done so, for his one thought was to stay and help Mariette.
The noise had brought the two watchmen on the scene. They stood there quaking at the thought of what Black Bill would do to them for having allowed a stranger to intrude into the camp. And, sure enough, his rage was terrifying when he came out and saw them. When he had finished abusing them he sent one of them to fetch his two sons. Before long they had arrived. Taking one of them aside Black Bill gave him some instructions in a low voice, and turning to the other told him to loose Danny’s feet, blindfold and gag him, and then lead him to the happy home Black Bill had ready for him.
“All right, young scoundrel,” said Black Bill. “That’s your little game, is it?”
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As the dirty handkerchief was tied over his eyes intense rage filled Danny’s heart.