Part 12 (1/2)
”I'll interview him,” said Dave, and left the car, followed by Phil, Roger, and his uncle.
”Don't quarrel on the train,” cautioned Dunston Porter. ”But insist upon it that Nat return your belongings.”
Roger readily led the way to where the son of the Crumville money-lender sat, crouched down, and with his eyes partly closed. When touched on the shoulder Nat sat up, and a look of fright came into his face.
”Why--er--why----” he stammered and was unable to proceed.
”Didn't expect to see me quite so soon, did you?” returned Dave, pleasantly, and dropped into the seat beside him. ”Nat, if it's all the same to you, I'll take my watch, my stickpin, and my money,” he added, coldly.
”Your what?” exclaimed Nat. Then he stared blankly at Dave. ”I--er--I don't understand you.”
”Yes, you do. I want my things, and I want them at once!”
”I haven't got your things, and you needn't say I have!” retorted the money-lender's son. ”Oh, I see how it is,” he added, struck by a sudden thought. ”You want to play another joke on me, don't you? Well, it won't work this time. I didn't touch your things, and you know it.”
CHAPTER VIII
THE YOUTH IN THE BALCONY
For a moment Dave stared at Nat Poole in perplexity. He saw that the money-lender's son was in earnest. Like a flash he realized that something was wrong.
”See here, I want no more fooling, Nat,” he said, sharply. ”My watch and chain, my scarfpin, and thirty-three dollars in bills were taken from me, either by you or your companion. I want them back, and now!”
”Dave, you--er--you don't mean that you--you were--robbed?” Nat could hardly utter the words. His teeth were fairly chattering with sudden fright.
”I certainly was, if you want to call it by such an ugly name.”
”But I didn't touch the things, you know I didn't!”
”Then your companion did.”
”No, he didn't, he came away with me, you know that. All we did was to tie you fast and throw that pillow over your face. Then we came away and locked the door. It was only a bit of fun, to pay you back for putting me on the freight car.”
”One of you came back and took the things. I couldn't see who it was, for the pillow was still over my head.”
”I didn't come back--I give you my word of honor. Shocker must have done it! Oh, the rascal!” And now Nat's face showed his concern.
”Who was that man?” asked the senator's son.
”A fellow I met in Crumville a few days ago. He appeared to be straight enough.” And then Nat told his story from beginning to end. He said that he had hung around the depot waiting for Tom Shocker to come, but that the fellow had failed to show himself.
”It's as plain as day,” said Phil. ”If Nat's story is true, this Shocker went back and robbed Dave.”
”Yes, but if he did, Nat is partly responsible, for he left me tied up,”
said Dave.
”Of course he is responsible,” came from Roger.