Part 43 (1/2)
”That's what beats me!”
”Somebody must have let him out.”
”Do you think it's his circus friends?”
”No; they're all in Groveton. Somebody must have been pa.s.sin' and heard the boy holler, and let him out.”
”What are you goin' to do about it, d.i.c.k?”
”Goin' to sit down and take a smoke. It may give me an idea.”
It will be noticed that of these two, d.i.c.k Hayden, as the bolder and stronger spirit, was the leader, and Bob Stubbs the subservient follower. Stubbs was no less brutal, when occasion served, but he was not self reliant. He wanted some one to lead the way, and he was willing to follow.
The two men sat down beside the cabin, and lit their pipes. Nothing was said for a time. d.i.c.k seemed disinclined to conversation, and Stubbs was always disposed to be silent when enjoying a smoke.
The smoke continued for twenty minutes or more.
Finally d.i.c.k withdrew the pipe from his mouth.
”Well, d.i.c.k, what do you think about it? What shall we do?” inquired his friend.
”I am going to foller the kid.”
”But you don't know where he's gone,” replied Stubbs.
”No; but I may strike his track. Are you with me?”
”Of course I am.”
”Then listen to me. The one that let the boy out knows the neighborhood.
The boy would naturally want to go to Groveton, and likely he would be directed to Stover. If the kid had any money, he would ask Stover to drive him over, or else he would foot it.”
”You're right, d.i.c.k. That's what he'd do,” said Stubbs, admiring his companion's penetration.
”Then we must go over to Stover's.”
”All right! I'm with you.”
”I'm a poor man, Bob, but I'd give a ten dollar bill to have that kid in my power once more.”
”I don't doubt it, d.i.c.k.”
”I hate to have it said that a kid like that got the advantage of d.i.c.k Hayden.”
”So would I, Bob.”
”If I get hold of him I'll give him a lesson that he won't soon forget.”