"It's about Nat Poole," continued Ben Basswood. "I guess you had some
kind of a run-in with him, didn't you?"
"Not exactly," answered Roger. "We caught him tormenting Professor Potts
and we put a stop to it."
"Well, you had some trouble with Nat's dad, didn't you?"
"Yes," answered Dave. "Did Nat tell you?" he added quickly.
"No, I know of the whole thing by accident. I had to go to the building
where Mr. Poole has his new office. While I was waiting to see a man
and deliver a message for my dad I overheard some talk between Mr. Poole
and Nat. It was mighty warm, I can tell you!"
"What was said?" demanded Phil.
"Mr. Poole accused Nat of something and Nat, at first, denied it. Then
Mr. Poole said something about arrest, and Professor Potts, and Nat got
scared and begged his father to save him. Then Mr. Poole mentioned Dave
and a pistol and said he couldn't do anything if that's the way matters
stood, and Nat began to beg for dear life, asking his father to let Dave
alone this time. At last Mr. Poole said he would, but the way he
lectured Nat was a caution. He said he wouldn't give Nat a cent more of
spending-money this summer."
"Hurrah, that lets you out, Dave!" cried Roger. "The case against you is
squashed."
"The Pooles will have to let it drop," added the shipowner's son.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44