Part 9 (1/2)
”I tell you I don't-I haven't the least idea what you are driving at.”
”Maybe you'll deny that you were at Leesburgh last week.”
”Leesburgh?”
”Yes, Leesburgh, at Sampson's Hotel, and at the Arcade moving-picture and vaudeville show,” and as he uttered the words Nat fairly glared into the face of our hero.
”I haven't been near Leesburgh for several months-not since a crowd of us went there to a football game.”
”Humph! You expect me to believe that?”
”Believe it or not, it is true.”
”You can't pull the wool over my eyes, Dave Porter! I know you were at Leesburgh last week Wednesday, you and Roger Morr. And I know you went to Sampson's Hotel and registered in my name and then cut up like a rowdy there, in the pool-room, and got thrown out, and I know you and Roger Morr went to the Arcade and made a fuss there, and got thrown out again, but not until you had given my name and the name of Gus Plum. Gus may forgive you for it, and think it only a joke. But I'll not do it, I can tell you that! You have got to write a letter to the owner of that hotel and to the theater manager and explain things, and you and Roger Morr have got to beg my pardon. And if you don't, as I said before, I'll tell my father and get him to have you arrested.” And now Nat was so excited he moved from one foot to the other and shook his fist in the air.
To the bully's surprise Dave did not get excited. On the contrary, our hero's face showed something that was akin to a faint smile. Ben saw it and wondered at it.
”Say, you needn't laugh at me!” howled Nat, noting the look. ”Before I get through with you, you'll find it no laughing matter.”
”I am not laughing at you, Nat.”
”Well, do you admit that what I've said is true?”
”No; on the contrary, I say it is false, every word of it. Did you say this happened last Wednesday?”
”I did.”
”Both Roger Morr and I were at the school all day Wednesday. During the day I attended all my cla.s.ses, and after school I went to my room, along with Polly Vane, Luke Watson, and Sam Day, and the three of us wrote on the essays we had to hand in Thursday. After supper we went down to the gym for about half an hour, and then went back to our dormitory. And, come to think of it, you saw us there,” added Dave suddenly.
”I saw you?”
”You certainly did. You came to the door and asked Luke Watson for a Latin book; don't you remember? Luke got it out of his bureau. We were all at the big table. Sam Day flipped a b.u.t.ton at you and it hit you in the chin.”
At these unexpected words the face of the money-lender's son fell.
”Was that-er-was that Wednesday?” he faltered.
”It certainly was, for we had to hand the essays in Thursday and we were all working like beavers on them.”
”Nat, what Dave says is absolutely true-I know he wasn't near Leesburgh last week, for I was with him every day and every evening,” said Ben.
”But I got the word from some fellows in Leesburgh. They followed you from the hotel to the show and talked to you afterwards, and they said you told them your name was Porter, and the other chap said his name was Morr. They said you gave the names of Poole and Plum just to keep your real ident.i.ty hidden.”
”Well, I am not guilty, Nat; I give you my word of honor on it.”
”But-but-if you aren't guilty how is it those fellows got your name and that of Morr?” asked the money-lender's son, not knowing what else to say.
”I think I can explain it, Nat. The same fellows who did that are annoying me in other ways. But I'll not explain unless you will give me your word of honor to keep it a secret, at least for the present.”
”A secret, why?”