Part 37 (2/2)
”Who is Hal Carson?” asked Macklin, grasping the youth by the arm.
”Old Sumner's new clerk and office boy,” replied Ferris. ”Don't let him get away.”
Macklin gave a whistle.
”Dat's kinder serious, if he follered yer here. Wot have yer got ter say fer yerself?” he demanded, turning to Hal.
”Let go of my arm,” returned Hal. ”Are you the only one who lives in this building?”
”No.”
”Then I presume I have a right to enter the hall-way, haven't I?”
”That won't wash, Carson!” exclaimed Ferris. ”You are doing nothing but following me, and you know it.”
”Just you step inside, do you hear?” commanded Macklin. ”That's all right, Mary, I'll take care o' him,” he added to the woman.
”Oi wondher if he was up in me apartment,” she said, suspiciously.
”Oi'll go up an' see if there is anything missing.”
The woman departed, and Macklin tried to shove Hal into the room.
”Stop that!” ordered the youth.
”Don't pay no attention to him,” cried Ferris. ”He's a regular spy, and he's trying his best to get us all into trouble.”
Macklin caught Hal by the arm. The next instant Hal received a terrible blow behind the right ear that almost stunned him.
”Now I think yer will come in an' mind,” howled Macklin. ”Take hold o'
him, Ferris.”
The tall boy came out, and before Hal could recover he was dragged into the apartment and the door was closed and locked.
When he came to realize what had happened he found himself confronted by the angry pair.
”That's what you get for spying on us,” said Ferris.
”Tain't no healthy business fer a feller ter be in around here,” added Macklin, with a coa.r.s.e laugh.
”I want you to open the door,” returned Hal, as calmly as he could.
”That's right!” laughed Ferris. ”I suppose you think you can command us to do anything, don't you?”
Hal walked toward the door and shook it. It was strongly built, and to break it down was out of the question.
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