CHAPTER XIII. 

HAL SHOWS HIS METTLE. 

Hal understood perfectly well that a crisis had come. Hardwick had him by the throat, and unless he acceded to the book-keeper's demand he would be in immediate danger of being choked to death. 

"Let--let go of me," he gasped. 

"Not until you do as I say," replied Hardwick. "I want you to understand that you can't get the best of me." 

Hal tried to push Hardwick away, but the book-keeper made a pass at him with the heavy ruler. 

"Keep quiet, if you value your head!" roared Hardwick. 

"Let me go!" 

"Not until you have told me what you mean by your doings." 

"What doings?" 

"Your doings up to Mrs. Ricket's." 

"Who told you about what happened up there?" 

"Never mind; I know all about it." 

"Then Ferris saw you last night." 

"No, he didn't." 

"Or this morning." 

"Shut up. You implicated me." 

"Did Dick Ferris say I did?" asked Hal. 

"Never mind who said so. I want to know what you mean by such work?" 

Hal did not reply. He was trying to think. What was Ferris' object in telling Hardwick he had been mentioned in connection with the matter? 

Clearly there could be but one reason. Ferris knew Hardwick already disliked Hal, and he wished to put the book-keeper against the youth, so as to get Hal into more difficulties. 

"Do you hear me?" demanded Hardwick, giving Hal an extra squeeze on the throat. 

"I do," gulped Hal. "Let--go--of me." 

"Not until you have answered."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What was Hardwick's profession?
2. What was Hardwick's career?
3. 
Q2:
1. What is the object that was being held by Hardwick?
2. Hardwick was holding what kind of object?
3. 
Q3:
1. Hardwick took a hold of which part of Hal's body?
2. Hardwick grabbed what part of Hal?
3. 
Q4:
1. Did Hal try to fight back when Hardwick grabbed him by the throat?
2. Was Hal fighting back when being grabbed by the throat by Hardwick?
3. 
Q5:
1. How was Hal fighting back?
2. Hal was fighting back in what way?
3. 
Q6:
1. What is the reason for which Hal was being attacked?
2. Hal was being attacked for what reason?
3. 
Q7:
1. What is the location where Hardwick believed that Hal had done something?
2. Hal had done something in what location, according to Hardwick?
3. 
Q8:
1. Which person is believed to have told Hardwick that Hal did something at Mrs. Ricket's?
2. Hadwick was told that Hal had done something at Mrs. Ricket's by which person?
3. 
Q9:
1. What reason could Dick Ferris have for telling Hardwick that Hal had done something at Mrs. Ricket's?
2. What could have been Dick Ferris' intention for telling Hardwick what Hal had done at Mrs. Ricket's?
3. 
Q10:
1. Why would Dick Ferris want to try and put the book-keeper against the youth?
2. What reason would Dick Ferris have for wanting to put Hardwick against the youth?
3. 
Q11:
1. What reason did Hal have for not replying to Hardwick when asked why he had done the work?
2. Hal didn't answer Hadwick when he was asked about why he had done the work for what reason?
3. 
Q12:
1. Did Hal give an answer to Hardwick's questions?
2. Were Hardwick's questions answered by Hal?
3. 
