Tom chuckled quietly.
"I could name a few others," Tom continued carelessly.

"In fact--I think I know you all.

Gentlemen, you might as well remove your masks." "Club him with the butt of the gun, if he talks too much," Duff directed the bully, who had stepped back a few paces as the men formed a circle around the young engineer.
"Did you ever try to stop water from running down hill, Duff," Tom inquired good-humoredly.
"What has that to do with--" began the gambler angrily.
"Nothing very much," Tom admitted.

"Only it's a waste of time to try to bind my tongue.

The only thing you can do is to gag me; but, from some things you've let drop, I judge that you want me to do some of the talking presently." "We do," nodded Duff, seeking to regain his temper.