"No more just now," said Dave, with peculiar emphasis.
"What do you want?" Jasniff was gradually regaining his self-possession.
"I want a whole lot of things," answered Dave. "Do you want to do your talking here or in the house?" And he glanced at the cab driver, who was staring at the boys with his mouth open in curiosity.
"You can come in, if you wish," was the awkward answer; and Nick Jasniff led the way into the old mansion, which was semi-dark and not more than half warmed. "Do you know who lives here?" he continued.
"Your relative, Philip Chesterfield," answered Roger.
"Humph! He's a great-uncle of mine and very old. He is down with gout. Come into the library. We needn't disturb him."
They filed into the apartment mentioned, a long, low room, the walls of which were lined with shelves filled with musty volumes. Dave kept his eyes on Jasniff, and this the runaway noticed.
"Think I'm going to skip?" he queried, sourly.
"I'll not give you the chance," was the ready answer.
"You think you've got me foul, don't you?"
"You can't make me go back to the United States."
"My folks have settled up that Pud Frodel affair for me--did it only a few days ago."
"But they didn't settle up with Mrs. Clever. She was swindled out of some board money."
"I--er--I was going to send her that money to-day."
"Then you had better pay me, for I settled the account," answered Dave. "But let us drop this talk for the present, Jasniff. I want you to tell me all you know about my father and my sister."
"Humph! I haven't got to tell you anything if I don't want to."
"Yes, you have got to!" cried Dave. A dangerous gleam came into his eyes. "Out with it at once. Where is my father?"
"See here, Porter, I don't propose to be bullied. I----"
"You answer my question, Nick Jasniff. If you don't I'll call in an officer at once and have you placed under arrest."
"I can and will. If I can't have you held on one charge I'll have you held on another. I want the truth from you, and I want it right away."
Dave had followed Nick Jasniff to a window, and faced the runaway with such sternness and determination that the latter cowed before him.
"I--er--that is, your father went north, last week."
"He said he was going to Christiania, Norway."