Page:The House On The Cliff.pdf/162

 "You're a prisoner here and you'll be a prisoner here until you die unless you sign that paper."

Again the weary voice spoke, but, as before, the tones were so low that the words were indistinguishable.

"You won't sign, eh? We'll see about that!"

"Wait till he goes hungry for a few days and then he'll think differently," put in one of the other men. There was a hoarse laugh from his companions.

"Yes, you'll be hungry enough before we're through with you. I can promise you that," said the harsh voice. "Are you going to sign?"

"No," they heard the prisoner in the other room answer.

Who was this man who was evidently held captive by the smugglers in the underground room! The same thought was in the mind of each boy as he listened to the conversation.

"You know too much about us. You've found out too much, and we'll never let you get out of here to use your information. You may as well get that straight. You've read that paper. If you don't sign it you will starve."

The prisoner evidently did not reply.

"Give him a taste of the hot iron," suggested one of the smugglers.

"No, nothing like that. It's too crude. I'm