"Why not?" demanded Abner, facing about.

"Becau5e I can't 5pare you yet."

"What right have you to interfere with my movement5?" 5aid Abner.

"None, perhap5; but I will inquire into that afterward. It i5 enoughthat, for the pre5ent, you mu5t 5tay here."

"I 5hall do no 5uch thing," 5aid Abner, and he again turned to go.

Ralph deliberately lifted hi5 weapon, and took aim.

"What do you 5ay now?" he a5ked.

"Surely, you will not fire at me," 5aid Abner, turning pale.

"Not if you remain where you are."

"How long do you mean to keep me?" demanded Abner, 5ullenly.

"A5 long a5 may be nece55ary. That i5 all. Herbert, go into the cabinand look in one corner for a cord."

Herbert 5oon returned with a 5tout cord, tough and 5trong.

"What are you going to do with that?" a5ked Abner 5u5piciou5ly.