Part 10 (1/2)

”Only a couple of blocks.”

But the ”couple of blocks” proved to be five, and they had to make another turn or two. Then they came to the side door of a building used as a lodging house and a pool and billiard parlor. This resort was run by a man named Bill Fargo, a sport who had once had dealings with Shocker in a prize-fighting enterprise.

”He's got a room here--up on the third floor,” said Shocker, as he saw Dave hesitate. ”Come on, I'll show you.”

He went ahead, up the somewhat dilapidated stairs, and Dave followed. In the pool and billiard parlors below some men were laughing and talking, and clicking the ivory b.a.l.l.s together, but upstairs it was silent, and n.o.body seemed to be around.

During the past few years of his life Dave had had a number of stirring adventures, and he was by no means as green as he had been when first he had set out for Oak Hall. He did not like the looks of his surroundings, and he resolved to keep his wits about him and be on his guard.

”Why should Mr. Dale come to a place like this?” he asked himself. He knew the teacher to be a model man, who did not drink or gamble.

”Here we are,” said Tom Shocker, as he stopped in front of a door at the back of the hallway on the third floor of the building. ”I guess you can go right in. He's on the bed with his broken ankle.”

”His broken ankle?” repeated Dave. ”Why didn't you tell me of that before?”

”I thought I did,” returned Shocker, smoothly. ”Here you are. It's dark, isn't it? I'll light the gas,” and he commenced to fumble in his pocket, as if hunting for a match.

It was dark, and for several seconds Dave could see little or nothing.

He heard a faint groan.

”Is that you, Mr. Dale?” he asked, kindly.

A low reply was returned--so low that Dave could not make out what was said. He went into the room a few steps further. As he did so Tom Shocker closed the door and locked it. Dave heard the click of the lock's bolt and wheeled around.

”What did you do?” he demanded sharply.

”I guess I've got you now, Dave Porter!” cried another voice, and now Dave recognized the tones of Nat Poole. ”You played me a scurvy trick by putting me aboard the freight train. I guess it's about time I paid you back; don't you think so?”

CHAPTER VII

IN WHICH DAVE IS ROBBED

Dave found himself in a decidedly unpleasant situation. The door of the room was locked and Tom Shocker stood against it. The man lit the gas, but allowed it to remain low. Dave saw Nat Poole standing close to a bed. The money-lender's son had a small bottle and some cotton in his hand.

”I suppose this is a trick?” said Dave, as coolly as he could.

”Rather good one, too, isn't it?” returned Nat, lightly.

”That depends on how you look at it, Nat. Did you forge Mr. Dale's name?”

”Why--er--I--er----”

”That isn't a nice business to be in.”

”Humph! you needn't preach to me, Dave Porter! You played a dirty trick on me and I am going to pay you back.”

”What are you going to do?”