Part 39 (1/2)
”Police! skip!” cried the crony. ”Come on, d.i.c.k, you don't want to git caught!”
And he dragged d.i.c.k Lanning away, while the crowd scattered like magic. No policeman was in sight, nor did any appear. It was only a ruse to retire without acknowledging defeat.
But that fight taught d.i.c.k Lanning a severe lesson. He still remained down upon the young oarsman, but in the future he fought shy of our hero, knowing that Jerry would not stand his bullying manner.
On Sat.u.r.day the shop closed down early, and, having nothing else to do, Jerry walked down to the newspaper office in hope of receiving some answer to the advertis.e.m.e.nt for the missing papers.
But no answer was forthcoming and, disappointed, he retraced his steps and sauntered in the direction in which Nellie Ardell and her little brother Tommy lived.
”I'll call on them and see how she made out about her rent,” he said to himself, and mounted the stairs to her apartment.
There was a murmur of voices in the kitchen. The door was partly open and Jerry saw the girl and her little brother standing there, confronted by a burly man.
”That rent has got to be paid, that's all there is to it,” the man was saying.
”I cannot pay to-day,” replied Nellie Ardell. ”I will try to pay Monday.”
”It won't do. I've given you notice, and if you can't pay, you have got to leave.”
At this the girl burst into tears.
”Would you put me on the street?” she wailed.
”I'll have to--it's orders,” replied the burly man doggedly.
”Whose order?”
”Mr. Sloc.u.m.”
”Mr. Sloc.u.m is a very hard-hearted man,” cried the girl, indignantly.
”That's so,” Jerry put in as he entered.
”Oh, Jerry Upton!” Nellie Ardell cried, when she saw our hero. ”This man wants to put me out of my rooms.”
”It's a shame.”
”Who are you?” demanded the burly man. ”Do you live here?”
”No. I am this young lady's friend, however. Did Mr. Sloc.u.m say to put her out?”
”Yes.”
”What shall I do if they put me on the street?” wailed Nellie Ardell.
”I'm sure I don't know. But Sloc.u.m sha'n't put you on the street if I can help it,” went on Jerry, suddenly.
”What will you do?”