They entered the dwelling, forcing Tom to accompany them. This done they tied the young cadet fast to an iron ring set in the huge old fashion fireplace. "Now we'll turn out his pockets," said Longback, and this was quickly done. To the tramps' chagrin Tom carried no watch, but had with him two dollars in money. "Now we'll take dat ring," said Nuggs, pointing to the article on Tom's little finger. "So I have fallen in with a lot of thieves, eh?" said the boy. "Well, if you want the ring you can fight for it." "Shut up!" roared Dan Baxter, and struck him across the mouth, causing Tom's under lip to bleed. The boy tried to retaliate, but his bonds held him fast. While one tramp held his hand the other possessed himself of the ring. The ring contained an opal of which Tom was very proud, and to part with the article made the young cadet feel pretty bad. "You will rue this night's work," he muttered. "I'll see you in prison for it." "Don't waste your breath in threatening," cried Baxter. "All right, Baxter, wait and see. I'll put you where your father is." The bully's face reddened. "Will you shut up, or do you want another crack on the mouth?" "It's only a coward who would strike a person when he is helpless." "Coward or not, I want you to keep a civil tongue in your head." "Perhaps you imagine we don't know who tried to wreck the stage," went on Tom pointedly. "Wreck a stage? I know nothing of such a thing." "You know all about it. And we'll prove it too--when you are under arrest." "I won't talk to you!" howled Baxter. "Come with me," he added to the tramps, and then the three quitted the building, leaving Torn to his reflections, which were dismal enough. "I'm in a pickle and no mistake," he murmured. "What will they do with me next?" Hour after hour went by and still Tom was left alone. In the meantime Baxter had held a long conversation with the tramps and had formed a compact with them, paying them the ten dollars as agreed. The sun was shining brightly when at last Dan Baxter re-entered the old building. "Getting hungry, I suppose," he remarked, with a wicked grin. "Not particularly so," answered Tom coldly. He was hungry, but he was not going to admit it. "I suppose you would like to have your liberty," went on the bully. "Don't ask superfluous questions, Baxter. Let us get down to business. Why did you make me a prisoner, and what are you going to do with me?" "I made you a prisoner because I felt like doing so," growled the big youth. "And what do you propose to do next?" "Teach you a lesson that you won't forget all your life, Tom Rover." "Thank you for nothing." "I haven't forgotten how you and your brothers handled me out in Africa--and here, too, for that matter." "You deserved what you got, Dan Baxter. Some persons would have had you sent to prison for your actions." "Bah! You don't know what you are talking about. What were you doing out so late last night?" "None of your business."