Part 46 (1/2)
”I am not afraid of them.”
”You said that before, but you've always been glad enough to hide from them.”
”It's false!” cried Baxter, in a pa.s.sion. ”I never hid from them.”
”You are hiding now. You dare not face them openly.”
”Oh, give us a rest. I am doing this for the money that is in it.”
”Money?”
”Yes, money.”
”I do not understand you.”
”Well, you'll understand to-morrow or the day after.”
”We haven't any money to give you,” put in Nellie.
”No, but maybe your folks have.”
”Are you going to make them pay you for releasing us?”
”That's it.”
”Perhaps they won't pay,” said Dora.
”If they don't, so much the worse for you. But I know they'll pay--and so will the Rovers pay,” chuckled Baxter.
”What have the Rovers to do with it? Or perhaps you want them to pay you for giving back the houseboat.”
”They'll pay for both--for the houseboat and for releasing you. I know d.i.c.k and Tom Rover won't want to see you remain in the power of me and Flapp and our friends.”
”Dan Baxter, you are a villain!” burst out both girls.
”Thank you for the compliment,” returned the rascal, coolly. ”I hope you'll enjoy your stay in that stateroom.”
”You ought to be in prison!” went on Dora.
”If you talk that way you'll get no breakfast in the morning.”
”I don't want any of your breakfast!” and Dora stamped her foot to show she meant it.
”Oh, you'll sing a different tune when you get good and hungry,”
growled Dan Baxter, and he walked away, leaving the girls once more to themselves.
CHAPTER XXVIII