“Lie still, or I’ll smash you,” he cried.
Raikes glared sullenly up at his enemy, panting for breath. He had no intention of renewing the contest. He was played out.
“Well, I reckon you know what we want with you,” resumed Sparwick. “Where’s the lad you and Joe Bogle carried off?”
“Don’t ask me,” muttered Raikes. “You’re the one to answer that question. You robbed the lad, and we tried to overhaul you. When you gave us the slip the youngster started back to join his friends. If he never reached them you likely know something about it.”
“That’s a lie,” exclaimed Sparwick. “You’re too dumb to live. Listen here. I was hidin’ in the bushes when you attacked the lad. I seen the whole thing. What did you do with him? Better own up to it.”
“If you’ve murdered Brick you’ll hang,” cried Jerry, wrathfully.
Raikes looked crestfallen for an instant. Then a last expedient suggested itself to his fertile mind. He glanced at Jerry.
“Don’t you boys be deceived by this ruffian. He is telling a clever lie. If your friend has disappeared, he is to blame. I don’t doubt that he robbed and murdered that lad, and concealed the——”
“It’s false!” interrupted Sparwick. “I’ve a mind to break your neck!”
He seized his prisoner by the throat, and shook him savagely. Raikes fought for breath, and in the struggle his coat was torn open, and thrown back from his breast. Something white peeped from the inner pocket. Sparwick made a grab, and hauled out two envelopes.