Ralph summed up the situation and counted his chances. It was apparent to him that only a bold, reckless dash could avail him. There was no chance to pounce upon and disarm the enemy, however, and Ralph hesitated about seeking any risks with a fellow who held him so completely at his mercy. "How does it seem?" jeered Ike, after a spell of silence, but Ralph did not answer at once. He had experienced no actual fear when so suddenly seized. Now, although he could not disregard a certain risk and menace in the custody of two of his worst enemies, a study of the face of the youth before him made the young railroader marvel as to what he could find enticing in doing wrong, and he actually felt sorrow and sympathy, instead of thinking of his own precarious situation. "Slump," spoke Ralph finally, "I am sorry for you." "That so? Ho! ho! truly?" gibed the graceless Ike. "What game are you up to? Don't try any, I warn you. You're clever, Ralph Fairbanks, but I'm slick. You see, the tables have turned. I knew they would, some time." "What is it you fellows want of me, anyhow?" ventured Ralph, hoping to induce Ike to disclose something. "Nothing to worry about," declared Slump carelessly. "You'll soon know. Say, though, Fairbanks, don't stir the lion, don't pull his tail." "You seem to be talking about menageries," observed Ralph. "You'll think you're in one, sure enough, if you rile Evans up. He won't stand any fooling, you hear me. Shut up, now. We'll leave discussing things till this job is over and done with. Then I may have something to tell you on my own personal account, see?" and Ike tried to look very fierce and dangerous. "I'll give you something to think of, though. You're going to tell a certain man all you know about a certain fellow, and you're going to fix it so that the certain man can find the certain fellow, or you don't run 999 for a time to come, I'll bet you." "Who is this certain man?" inquired Ralph. "I don't know his name. He's a stranger to me." "And who is the certain fellow?" "I know that one--I don't mind telling you. Then shut up. You've a way of worming things out of people, and I'm not going to help you any--it's Marvin Clark." "I thought it was," nodded the young engineer reflectively; and then there was a spell of silence.