“If you don’t, I’ll swear you tried to kill me to-day, and I have the proof. You were seen by Mr. Hall and by the fireman on 33. You will lose your job on this road. You will be discharged in disgrace, and it will not be easy for you to get a job anywhere else. When they ask you why you left the last place, you’ll have to lie. Perhaps they will know why you left. You may be blacklisted.”
Old Joe’s face turned almost green, while his lips seemed dry and parched. He stood before Frank Merriwell, half cowering, half defiant, like a tiger driven at bay.
“I don’t like the idea of letting you have your way with the kids.”
“Oh, well, you could fix me if you went and told that stuff to the old man. It was all an accident, but----”
“I don’t care a rap about the kids anyway. You needn’t worry about me botherin’ them.”
“You give your word not to trouble them?”
“You will not even try to see them? Promise that.”
“All right. I will not make a complaint against you.”
“But I may,” growled Old Slugs, who did not seem at all satisfied.
“No!” exclaimed Frank, quickly. “You must not!”
“Why, blow ye!” grated Hicks. “You don’t dare!”
“Yes, I do,” returned Old Slugs, sullenly. “I don’t like you none too well, and I’d as lives see you get out of here as not. It’s my duty to report what I saw, an’ I’m goin’ to do my duty.”
“Ah--a--ah! You’re thunderin’ particular about your duty all to once! I won’t forgit it. I’ll have a score to settle with you!”
“I’ll keep watch for ye better than Merriwell did. You won’t get the chance on me.”
“But you shall not report this affair, Mr. Hall,” came firmly from Frank’s lips.
“All the same, I do. If you report it, I’ll----”
Frank hesitated, and Old Slugs quickly asked:
“I’ll give you another thrashing, and it will be worse than the first!” flared Frank, looking as if he were ready to start in on the job at that moment. “I’ll fix you so you will not work for more than one day!”
It was plain enough that Frank meant exactly what he said. Old Slugs could not doubt it.
“Why,” said Hall, “I’m your friend now. I came here and stood by you in this matter against Hicks.”
“You are not my friend if you say a word about it to the old man. You will be my enemy.”
“You must be foolish! If Hicks stays here, he’ll get at you ag’in, and he may do me, too. The only safe thing for us now is to report him, and then he’ll be fired.”