"Produce it!" "I haven't got it." "What ?" snarled the mysterious stranger.

"You have not kept your word! What do you mean ?" "Don't shake a fellow like that!" quavered Snell.

"You act like a madman." "Answer my questions! Why haven't you kept your word ?" "Couldn't." "Why not ?" "Didn't get the chance." "But you said you could get a boy to assist you--the fellow who rooms with this Merriwell." "I thought I could, but the cad went back on me." "He refused to aid you ?" "Yes, sir." "And you have found no opportunity to get hold of the ring yourself ?" "Not yet--but I will, sir," Snell hastily answered.

"All I want is to know that you will pay me as you agreed.

Don't hold onto my arm so tight; I won't run away." "Bah!" cried the man in black, as he half-flung Wat from him.