Part 37 (1/2)
The automobile drew up in front of a large stone house and the officer motioned his prisoners out. He spoke to his chauffeur.
”Keep your gun handy and follow me,” he instructed.
The driver nodded and stepped alongside the officer, who motioned the three friends up the steps ahead of him. Inside he motioned them into a parlor and then dismissed his chauffeur.
”Now,” he said, ”I want your promises not to try to escape.”
”Sorry, sir, but we can't do that,” replied Frank, quietly.
”Come! Don't be fools!” exclaimed their captor, sharply.
He walked to the door and peered out. Then, walking close to Frank and Jack, he said quietly:
”If you will give me your promises to make no attempt to escape before tomorrow night, I shall not have you guarded.”
Both lads started back in surprise, for the man had spoken in English and without the trace of an accent.
”Great Scott!” exclaimed Frank. ”You must be an Englishman.”
The man laid a finger to his lips.
”Sh-h-h!” he warned. ”Walls have ears, you know. So you don't know me?”
The lads gazed at him closely.
”I know I have seen you some place,” declared Jack.
”So have I,” said Frank.
”And to think that they don't know me,” said the man, half to himself.
Then he addressed them again.
”I guess it is as well that you have not recognized me, but did I not know you so well I would not say what I am about to say. That is this.
I am an Englishman and I am here on an important business. Tomorrow night I shall return to England. Give me your words to remain quiet here until then, in the meantime not trying to learn my ident.i.ty, and you shall all go with me. Is it a bargain?”
Frank looked at the man sharply. Was he fooling them? Well, the lad decided, they had everything to gain and nothing to lose.
”Very well,” the lad said. ”You have my promise not to attempt to escape before tomorrow night.”
”And mine,” said Jack.
”And mine,” declared Harris.
”Very well. Then I shall leave you for the moment.”
The man stalked from the room and closed the door behind him.
CHAPTER XXIV