Part 37 (1/2)
”Well, if they challenge us we'll do our best,” declared Dave, and some others said the same.
The next day, after school, Dave had occasion to go to Oakdale on an errand. Roger was going along, but at the last minute had to stay behind, so Dave went alone.
He had scarcely pa.s.sed out of the school grounds when he noticed that he was being followed. A tall, thin man had stepped from behind some oak trees, and was coming after him.
”I wonder what that chap was doing around the school?” the youth asked himself.
He walked along rapidly, and the man did the same. Then Dave slackened his pace, and the follower did likewise.
”He doesn't want to catch up to me, that's sure,” thought the youth.
”Maybe he is afraid I'll recognize him. Wonder who he is?”
He turned and looked back. But the man had his overcoat pulled up and his soft hat pulled far down, and Dave could see little of his face.
”This is a mystery,” mused Dave. ”I am going to speak to him,” and he stopped short and waited for the mysterious individual to come up.
CHAPTER XXIII
HOOKER MONTGOMERY'S STRANGE REQUEST
The stranger approached slowly, as if hoping Dave would go on before he came up. Once he looked towards the fields on either side of the road, as if thinking to turn off. But no side road was at hand, so he had to either come on or turn back.
”Why, it is Doctor Montgomery!” said the lad to himself, as he recognized the man. Then, as he got still closer, Dave saw that the so-styled doctor looked shabby and dissipated. His nose was exceedingly red, as if he had been drinking, and his overcoat was much worn and so were his shoes.
”How do you do?” he said, somewhat gruffly, as he came up to where Dave was standing.
”How are you?” returned Dave, coldly, and stepped aside, as if to let the doctor pa.s.s. But instead of doing this the traveling physician came to a somewhat unsteady halt.
”Your name is Dave Porter, isn't it?” he queried, trying hard to steady a voice that liquor had rendered nervous.
”It is.”
”I guess you know me, Doctor Montgomery.”
”Yes.”
”Going to Oakdale?”
”I am.”
”So am I. If you don't mind I'll walk with you. I want to talk to you.”
”What do you wish?” demanded Dave. The road was rather a lonely one, and he did not fancy the doctor for a companion.
”I've been wanting to see you for some time, Porter,” answered Hooker Montgomery, hesitatingly, as if not knowing how to begin. ”Fact is, I went up to the school hoping to meet you.”
”Why didn't you call for me if you wanted to see me?”