"Jack!" called the boatbuilder, and Benson ran to him.
"Do you think you can fasten onto this youth, and prevent his getting away from us?" asked Jacob Farnum.
"I'm rather sure of it," nodded Benson.
"Then keep your eye on the fellow, Jack. He's got to go to jail. He's been engaged in some conspiracy against us, and I'm going to fathom it all, and have the fellow sent up for years and years at hard labor."
The fellow whom Jack was now holding heard this with a start and a shiver.
"You hear that, Don Melville?" he gasped. "Remember, you promised to see me through safely, if any trouble happened. You've got to keep your word."
"Hold your tongue if you think I'm going to do anything for you," growled Don.
"If you don't stand by me," threatened the prisoner, "I'll make things warm for you—and you know I can do it!"
Don paled, visibly, under that threat.
"Ho, ho!" laughed Jacob Farnum. "When thieves fall out—"