Part 17 (1/2)
By this time they had penetrated a considerable distance into the wood, and Philip grew impatient to carry out the plan which, from the first, they had had in view.
”Isn't it about time?” he asked, significantly.
”Just as you say,” replied Congreve, indifferently.
As he spoke he drew from his pocket a ball of strong cord, and both boys--if Congreve can be called one--looked significantly at our hero.
”What's coming?” thought Harry, perplexed.
He found out soon enough.
CHAPTER XIV
WHAT HAPPENED TO HARRY IN THE WOOD
”I have a little matter of business with you, Gilbert,” said Congreve.
”Business!” repeated Harry, looking from James Congreve, with his cool, deliberate manner, to the face of his companion, who was openly exultant. ”I don't understand you.”
”You'll understand better in five minutes,” said Philip.
”I hope so, for I am quite in the dark now.”
”The fact is, Gilbert,” commenced Congreve, in the cool, deliberate tone habitual to him--for he seldom allowed himself to get excited--”my friend Philip, here, feels that you have treated him badly----”
”Outrageously!” interrupted Philip.
”Very well; let us say outrageously.”
”In what way have I treated him outrageously?” demanded Harry, undauntedly.
”Plenty of times,” answered Philip, excitedly. ”Didn't you attack me in the berry pasture?”
”Yes, and you know why. You were abusing two young children.”
”It was none of your business,” said Philip, shortly.
”It will always be my business,” said Harry, boldly, ”when I see a large bully abusing two unoffending children.”
”Quite a modern Don Quixote, upon my word,” said Congreve, but not in the sneering tone Philip was accustomed to adopt.
He never sneered, and never showed excitement, but he was none the less dangerous on that account.
”Don Quixote was a gentleman, though a foolish one,” returned Harry, who understood the allusion.
”That is where he had the advantage of you,” observed Philip.
”A very neat hit, upon my word, Philip,” said Congreve. ”Really, you are improving.”