'Now, listen here.

I'm goin' to take this bandage off yer mouth, 'cause I've a few perticular questions to ask an' you must answer 'em, but understand first that one little yell from you, an'-- ' He made a blood-curdling pretence of cutting at the rope above Dick's head.

'You'd go plug to the bottom an' be smashed to fifty bits!' The man removed the gag and reseated himself on the old truck.

As he talked he toyed with the ugly knife, making occasional passes on the side of his left boot resting on his knee.
'Look here, young feller,' he said, 'if you tell me lies down you go, understand?
D'ye believe me ?' he asked with sudden ferocity.
'Yes,' whispered Dick.
'Well then listen, an' answer quick an' lively.

Where's the bag of gold you stole outer that big tree beyond the Bed Hand ?' Dick's heart jumped like a startled hare.