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 "I am afraid Dave Hallard and I have come too far to agree to that, Mr. Flagg," replied Tempest, striving to keep his temper under these difficult circumstances. "Are you sure I can't persuade you to change your mind?"

"That's all I have to say on the subject," said Flagg.

"In that case, all I can do is to wish you a good morning. It is to be war to the finish. I'm sorry, because, to tell you the truth, I 'm beginning to believe we 're all on a wild goose chase."

"What makes you think that?" Flagg asked suspiciously.

"That is my business," Tempest responded, turning his back.

"You 'll sing another tune when your stomachs get empty," Flagg snarled after him, a remark which Tempest did not deign to answer.

"Back to our stronghold for the present, Dave," he said to the boy. "He's as obstinate as a mule, and it would n't surprise me in the least if he tried