Page:The House On The Cliff.pdf/166

 we should knock you on the head and heave you over the cliff into the sea."

"I won't sign."

"Don't be foolish. All we ask you to do is to agree that you won't make use of the information you have. I admit that you've stumbled on some of our secrets, and we can't afford to turn you loose and have the federal agents about our ears in no time."

"You must trust me very much. What is to prevent me from signing that paper and then going back on my word?" asked Fenton Hardy curiously.

"We know you too well, Hardy. We know that if you signed that promise you would keep it."

"Exactly. And that is why I won't sign it. I wouldn't be doing my duty if I agreed to any scheme that would protect you."

"How about your family? Are you doing your duty to them by being so obstinate?"

There was silence for a while. Then Fenton Hardy answered slowly:

"They would rather know that I died doing my duty than have me come back to them as a protector of smugglers and criminals."

"You have a very high sense of duty," sneered Snackley. "But perhaps you'll think better of it after a while. Are you thirsty?"

There was no reply.