culties.

"Do you hear me?" demanded Hardwick, giving Hal an extra squeeze on the
throat.

"I do," gulped Hal. "Let--go--of me."

"Not until you have answered."

Hal commenced to struggle. Seeing this, Hardwick tried to strike him
with the ruler, which, on account of its brass-bound edge, was an ugly
weapon. The ruler came down twice, the second time cutting a gash on the
youth's neck, from which the blood flowed copiously.

This last blow aroused all the lion in Hal's nature. As the reader
knows, he was a well-built boy, and strong for his age. He gave a sudden
wrench and broke away.

"Stand back!" he cried. "Don't you dare to touch me again!"

Hardwick glanced toward the door, to see that no one was coming.

"I'll show you!" he hissed, passionately.

He rushed at Hal again. The youth saw him coming, and, drawing back his
arm, he planted a blow on Hardwick's nose that sent the blood spurting
in all directions.

Hardwick was more surprised than hurt. Had that poor house chap dared to
hit him? He turned first red and then white.

"I'll fix you!" he cried.

"Stand back, I tell you!" commanded Hal; he was getting excited himself.

But Hardwick would not stand back, and, as a consequence, he received a
blow on the forehead that almost stunned him.

"You beggar, you've got muscle, haven't you?" he cried. "We'll try a
different method with you."

He ran toward his desk, and opened it. An instant later Hal saw a
revolver in his hand.

"Now we will see who is on top here," said Hardwick.

It would be useless to deny that Hal was frightened at the sight of the
shining barrel. He backed several feet.

"I thought that would bring you to terms," said Hardwick. "Now, will you
answer my question?"

"You will not dare to shoot me," returned the youth, as calmly as he
could.

"Don't be too sure. I intend that you shall answer me."

Hal looked about him. He had backed toward the rear of the office. The
window was unlocked. Could he leap through it?

Hardwick followed the youth's look and understood it.

"No, you don't," he said, and, moving toward the window, he locked it.

The only way that now remained to escape was by the street door.
Hardwick placed himself in front of this.

"Give me the key to this door," he demanded.

The key hung on a nail close to where Hal was standing.

Instead of complying, Hal took down the key, and placed it in his
pocket.

"Did you hear me?" went on the book-keeper.