The door of the
room was locked and Tom Shocker stood against it. The man lit the gas,
but allowed it to remain low. Dave saw Nat Poole standing close to a
bed. The money-lender's son had a small bottle and some cotton in his
hand.
"I suppose this is a trick?" said Dave, as coolly as he could.
"Rather good one, too, isn't it?" returned Nat, lightly.
"That depends on how you look at it, Nat. Did you forge Mr. Dale's
name?"
"Why--er--I--er----"
"That isn't a nice business to be in."
"Humph! you needn't preach to me, Dave Porter! You played a dirty trick
on me and I am going to pay you back."
"What are you going to do?"
"You'll see soon enough."
"I want you to open that door!" cried Dave, wheeling around and
confronting Tom Shocker. "Open it at once!"
"This is none of my affair, Mr. Porter," answered the man, with a slight
sneer. "You can settle it with Mr. Poole."
"I'll settle with you, you rascal!" cried Dave, and leaping forward he
caught Tom Shocker by the shoulder and forced him aside. "Give me that
key!"
"Don't you do it!" cried Nat. "Here, wait, I'll fix him! Hold him!"
Nat poured some of the stuff in the bottle on the cotton and advanced on
Dave. At the same time Tom Shocker caught Dave by both arms and essayed
to hold him.
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