"Does he treat you kindly?"
"Peter gets sugar sometimes—and he is to have a pipe and tobacco soon."
"Did you see anything of two strangers last night?" continued Tom in a sterner tone. "Two boys about my own age?"
"Peter must not tell"
"You answer me, or it will be the worse for you!" and now Tom caught the simple-minded youth by the collar. He did not intend to harm the lad, but he wanted to make him speak.
"Oh, oh! let me go!" screamed the dolt. "Let me go for a hundred-dollar bill! A brand new one!"
"A what?" asked Songbird curiously.
"Peter must not tell all"
"You answer my question," broke in Tom, facing the boy and searching his eyes. "Did you see those two boys last night or not?"
"Peter must not"
"Answer!" and now Tom had the lad by the ear.
"Yes—yes—I saw them."
"Did anybody else see them?"
"Peter must not"
"Peter, do you want to be drowned in the river?"
"No, no!"
