"Who was the fellow who went after the boss?" asked Tom. "You might as well come through clean, for I'll find out anyhow."
Whether the fellow saw through Tom's bluff or whether he was just naturally stubborn did not at once develop. At any rate, a cunning and ugly light came into the prisoner's eyes and he said:
"Go ahead then. Find out the best way you can. I'll tell you nothing and, what's more——"
The fellow who had admitted his name was Gorro seemed about to shout and give an alarm, which might have been followed by a reckless attack on his part against Tom and Ned. But Tom guessed the man's intention and, stepping closer to him, pressed the automatic against his stomach and fairly growled out:
"If I hear so much as a peep from you I'll let you have it!"
Again Tom Swift was forcing himself to play a part. It is very doubtful, except to save the lives of himself and Ned, that he would have pulled the trigger. Yet Gorro undoubtedly thought that such might happen, for he shrank away and turned pale as he muttered:
"Don't shoot, chief! But I'm not going to give myself or my pals away."
"Well, don't try any monkey business then! Don't you make a sound. Now, Ned, you go through all his pockets while I keep him covered. We'll see who he is."
The man did not appear to fear that anything found in his pockets would disclose anything, for he held his hands high and made no objections as Ned went through his pockets.
After taking out the silver toilet articles there was nothing save a knife, some odds and ends, and a small sum of money. This last Tom told Ned to put back.