The man leaned forward and whispered something in Mark's ear, as if he
was afraid the very walls would hear.

"I'll not do it!" cried the youth. "I'll never aid you to deceive my
friends, for that is your object. I'll never do it!"

"Then I shall have to use force," was the determined response. "You may
take your choice!"

Poor Mark did not know what to do, yet there was little he could choose
between. The man had him in his power, yet the lad was terribly afraid
of the result of the daring scheme which he knew was in the mind of the
lunatic, for such he believed the man to be.

"Will you not give up this plan?" begged Mark. "I know Professor
Henderson will pay you any sum in reason to let me go. You can become a
rich man."

"I don't want riches--I want revenge!" exclaimed the man. And he glared
at Mark, while throughout the dismal, deserted house there sounded the
rattle and bang of the flapping shutters.




CHAPTER X

MARK'S STRANGE ACTIONS