"Yes, prison," mimicked Conniston. "Do you think you can behave like a young criminal and get off scot free?" "I was deceived by Mr. Beryl. He's older than I am. I am only a boy." "You are old enough to be hanged, at all events." "You said I wouldn't be, my lord." "That depends upon my good word," said Conniston, bluffing; "and you won't have that unless you confess." "Confess what, my lord?" "All about this business connected with Beryl," put in Gore. "It was you who led me to the house in Crimea Square." "I didn't--I didn't!" And then Jerry uttered a howl as Conniston's whip came across his back. "Hold your tongue and answer." "How can I hold my tongue and answer at the same time, my lord?" Conniston took out his watch. "I'll give you two minutes to make up your mind to talk sense. You are clever enough when it suits you. If you won't speak, I'll thrash you thoroughly, and then take you up to be handed to the police." "And if I do, my lord?" "I'll spare you the thrashing. But you must go to the police. You are being enquired for, young Judas. Only by confessing the whole can you avoid danger to your neck." "Only Mr. Beryl can get me into trouble, and you won't find him," said Jerry, tauntingly. "I sent Victoria to him with a letter last night, and she must have caught the eleven train to London. I daresay she saw Mr. Beryl last night, and he's got away." "Why did you act so promptly?" asked Gore. "Because I saw you, Sir Bernard. I knew the game was up, and that you were playing the fool with Mr. Beryl in getting that will signed." "Ah! so we all were," said Conniston, calmly. "The game is up, so you had better explain your share in it. Begin from the time you were kicked out of Taberley's for stealing." "I sha'n't," said Jerry. "I don't believe you can hurt me." Dick's patience was exhausted. He caught the young wretch by the scruff of the neck and thrashed him thoroughly. Jerry, who had never been beaten before in his life, wept and howled and begged for mercy. At last Conniston threw him again on the rug thoroughly cowed, and between sobs Jerry expressed his willingness to reply to whatever questions were put to him. The examination was conducted as though Conniston was a barrister and Jerry a witness. Bernard, in the character of a reporter, went to the writing-table and took notes. Jerry stood wiping his eyes and replying tearfully. "When did you meet Beryl?" asked Dick. "At Taberley's. He knew I was Mrs. Moon's grandson, as he saw me here at one time. When I was kicked out, he promised to help me. I was told to watch Sir Bernard, and I did. I saw you, my lord, with Sir Bernard in the Park. I was always watching Sir Bernard." "I see. That was why you sold matches. Well, and it was you who told Beryl that Sir Bernard was at Mr. Durham's house on that night?"