Part 5 (1/2)
”I guess that one chance would fall to me,” observed Fenn, ”and I'll give the lunatics a wide berth. You can have 'em all, Frank.”
”Well, I've read that's the best way to act.”
”Oh, you and your reading!” exclaimed Ned. ”Let's talk about something cheerful.”
The boys hurried on through the woods. More than once they got off the path and had to spend some minutes finding it again, so they did not get home until nearly supper time.
”See you Monday,” called Frank to his chums, as he took the road that led to his uncle's house.
”There'll be a ball game next week, I guess,” came from Bart. ”You may get a chance to play.”
”All right,” and Frank was off down the road.
”I'd like to see the inside of that hut,” observed Ned as he and the other two boys walked on.
”Still harping on that, eh?” asked Fenn. ”I want to forget it.”
”Think we'd better mention anything about the queer men we saw?” asked Bart, as he and Fenn strolled through the shopping district, which was always a lively place on Sat.u.r.day nights.
”Who to?”
”The police, of course.”
”I don't see as it's any of their affair. The men are harmless.”
”But they're lunatics at large.”
”I guess it's as Frank says, one is the other's keeper. We'd better mind our own affairs. Besides Frank promised, for us, that we'd keep quiet.”
”Then I suppose we'd better. But maybe something will happen.”
”What, for instance?”
”They might murder some one.”
”Say, have you been reading any five-cent libraries lately?”
”No, but--”
”Forget it,” counseled Fenn. ”Ah, good evening,” he added, bowing to a pretty girl who pa.s.sed them. ”Excuse me, Bart. I want to speak to Jennie,” and Fenn left his chum.
”That's the way,” growled Bart. ”A fellow's no good once he gets girls on the brain,” and he walked on alone, and quite disgusted with Stumpy.
”Oh, Fenn!” exclaimed Jennie Smith, as the boy joined her. ”Isn't it just like a play to see all the lights and the people hurrying back and forth? 'All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players.' I think that's just grand! Oh I wish I could thrill large audiences!” she added, for her secret desire was to become an actress.
”What is this I see before me! Is it a dagger, the handle--!”
But just then Jennie collided with a fat man in front of her. He turned, good-naturedly and remarked: