"What does it all mean?" said Warren. He struggled furiously to
release his feet, but gave up to sit staring at Ivan. "What does it
all mean?"

"Well, for one thing, " said Ivan, "that food is poisoned." He
proceeded to recount to Warren, the strange circumstance of the
whispered conversation which he had so clearly overheard.

"It has saved our lives," said Warren solemnly. "I am starved and
would have eaten this stuff sure as nails . Gee, what an escape! Let
us work out of these ropes and get out of here. Perhaps, we can get
those cutthroats before they got away from the city."

For some moments the boys both wiggled and twisted to free themselves.
It was in vain. So closely were they wedged between the benches and
table, and so cleverly were their feet tied with rope and pieces of
board to wedge them, that it was absolutely an impossibility to release
themselves. All through the night they sat there, at intervals
renewing their efforts to get free, and with despair growing in their
hearts. They began to realize the seriousness of the situation. When
Warren's watch told them that morning had come, they found themselves
looking wistfully at the food. Its scent was in their famished
nostrils. Warren drew a piece of fish toward him.

"I wonder if it is all poisoned," he said.

With a cry Ivan reached out and swept the food from the table.
"There!" he exclaimed, "I found myself wondering the same thing. If
we die, we die -- but not that way, my Warren. We will be free yet.