Part 11 (1/2)

”See here,” he spoke, ”you just tell me how much rumpus you have raised about this unfortunate affair.”

”I've raised no rumpus,” declared Randy. ”I've simply run down your automobile, which the police of Seaside Park didn't seem able or inclined to do.”

”I'm glad of that,” said Mr. Tyson, apparently greatly relieved, ”and there will be no trouble at all in fixing up things satisfactorily all around. You would have heard from me before midnight, for this Pep-ought to be called Pepper-just ordered that his friend at Seaside Park-I suppose it's you?”

”Yes, it's me,” declared Randy.

”Well, he wanted word sent to you.”

”Is he badly hurt?” inquired Randy solicitously.

”Not at all-but that isn't it. See here, lad, because I'm supposed to have a lot of money I seem to be a mark for everybody. I have been unfortunate enough to have various accidents with my machine. A month ago I ran down a man. About all he did was to stub his toe, but he's sued me for twenty thousand dollars damages and has a doctor ready to swear he is crippled for life. Last week I ran over a valuable dog at Seaside Park and the magistrate fined me fifty dollars for speeding over the limit, and said if there was another complaint he would give me a jail sentence. Ugh! fine thing to be rich; isn't it?”

Mr. Tyson really looked so disgusted that Randy could not refrain from smiling.

”The newspapers got hold of it and pictured me as a regular ogre. Now it wasn't our fault at all when this friend of yours got hurt this evening.

He had no business in the street-don't you see?”

”Say, if he hadn't got there where would that child in the baby carriage be?” demanded Randy indignantly.

”Yes, that's true,” agreed the millionaire slowly, ”but even there they could not legally hold us. The baby carriage had no lights on it. Let all that go, though. This Pep was a brave fellow to risk his life for the child, and I'm glad he did it. My lawyer, after the last case, though, told me what to do in future accidents, so I followed his advice. I captured your friend and I intend to keep him captured.”

”I don't think you will,” began Randy, rising wrathfully to his feet.

”He's a poor boy, but he's got some friends and--”

”Pis.h.!.+ Don't get excited. Keep cool, lad, hear me through. We rushed your friend here, summoned the best surgeon in Brenton, and this Pep of yours is snug and comfortable as a dormouse-in bed in the best room in the house. I'm going to give him the best of care and pay him for any loss of time he may sustain. Isn't that fair?”

”Why-I suppose so,” admitted Randy. ”Only-what does Pep say?”

”Well, at first he was going to fight us, lame hand and all. Then the surgeon talked some sense into him, by telling him that if he would use a little care and not use his arm he would be well as ever inside of a week. If he didn't, he may have all kinds of complications in the future. To be frank with you, all I care for is to turn the boy out sound and well, so he can't be coming along later on with another of those twenty thousand dollar damage suits.”

”Can I see him?” inquired Randy.

”You surely can,” replied Mr. Tyson with alacrity, ”and I hope you will cooperate with us in urging him to stay here and follow the directions of the doctor.”

Mr. Tyson had not overstated the case when he told Randy that Pep was well cared for. As Randy entered a great luxuriously furnished room upstairs he saw his comrade propped up in bed, his arm in a sling and a table spread with dainties directly at hand.

”You tell him to stay here,” whispered Mr. Tyson in Randy's ear, and left the two boys to themselves.

Pep grinned as he welcomed Randy. He moved his injured arm to show that he was by no means helpless.

”I'm booked here for a week, Randy,” were his first words-”but why not?

There won't be much to do around the new show for some days to come, and if there was I wouldn't be any help with my crippled arm.”

Then Pep in a modest way went on to give details of the accident.

”You see,” were his concluding remarks, ”I'm comfortable and well cared for here and, as the surgeon says, I might have trouble with my arm if I got careless with it. Mr. Tyson says he will pay me for any loss time, so don't worry about me. I'll show up at Seaside Park before the week is over with a neat little lot of cash in my pocket, and fresh and strong to help get the new Wonderland in s.h.i.+p shape order.”