"And you have used it as a threat to me ever since; and have ordered me about as if I were a dog!" was the angry retort. And Elgert laughed.
"I have found it useful certainly. And, my man, do you see that scar on the back of your hand? It was a bad cut, I think. How did you manage it?"
The man, with a swift motion, put his hand in his pocket.
"I cut it," he said. And Elgert laughed again.
"Yes. Do you know what housebreaking is? I suppose you know nothing of some one who broke into the school, the beginning of this term; and who was found near my bed, with a pillow; it looked very much as if he were going to try and kill me by smothering me. I wonder what that man wanted. He was frightened away by one of our boys, and he cut his hand getting over the wall. I wonder who that man was?"
"You know it was me. I would have done it, too, if I had not been found. I was frightened then, but I am not now. I am not in your power any more."
"Oh, and what has happened to change things?" inquired Horace Elgert mockingly.
"This," said the man fiercely. "If I have done wrong, what about you? There was a five-pound note stolen at your school——"
"What do you know about that?" cried Elgert quickly.