Part 20 (1/2)

Shadow, I got you that time.”

”Well, it's a good story anyway,” answered Shadow, ruefully.

”I shan't attempt to stop Nat unless he makes some direct accusation,”

said Dave, calmly. ”What would be the use? It would only make matters worse.”

”If you took notice of what he says, some folks would begin to think there was something in it,” said Phil. ”Yes, better drop Nat. He isn't worth bothering about, anyway. Just the same, it is mean for him to speak in this fas.h.i.+on.”

”He wouldn't be Nat Poole if he didn't,” retorted Roger.

Despite this incident, the boys and girls managed to have a good time on the ice, and for an hour or two Dave forgot his troubles and those of his friends.

”What are you going to do for the rest of the vacation, Dave?” said Roger, that evening. ”You know you promised to come to my home.”

”Yes, and you promised to visit me, too,” added Phil. ”You haven't been to our house in a long time.”

”To tell the truth, I haven't the heart to go anywhere,” answered Dave, soberly. ”I guess I had better stay here and see if something doesn't turn up.”

”Well, I can't blame you,” said the senator's son, and Phil said the same.

CHAPTER XIV-OFF FOR THE SOUTH

Two days later, when Roger was packing up, getting ready to return home, he received a letter from Luke Watson that filled him with interest.

Luke had gone to St. Augustine, Florida, to join his folks, who were spending the winter there.

”Here's news!” burst out the senator's son, as he came rus.h.i.+ng to Dave and Phil with the epistle. ”This letter is from Luke Watson, you know his folks are in Florida. Well, on his way to St. Augustine, Luke stopped for a day at Jacksonville. Listen to what he says:

”'I was walking down one of the main streets of Jacksonville, looking into the shop windows, when what do you think? I saw Link Merwell and Nick Jasniff. You could have knocked me over with a feather, for I hadn't imagined that they were anywhere near. They were nattily dressed and each carried a small valise, and they were buying caps and some other things for a sea voyage. I went into the shop and called to them, and my! both of them jumped as if they were shot, and Merwell got so pale I thought he was going to faint. I said ”h.e.l.lo,” but they didn't answer to that, and Jasniff at once wanted to know if I was alone. When I told him I was he seemed mightily relieved, and Merwell looked relieved, too. They wanted to know what I was doing there and I told them. Then I asked what they were doing, but I couldn't get any straight answer. Merwell started to say something about going to sea, but Jasniff stopped him short, and said they guessed they would go back to New York, where they had come from.

”'It was awful funny-they positively looked scared to death, and while they were talking to me they looked over my shoulders, as if on their guard against somebody. I asked them what they had been doing since they left Rockville, and they said not much of anything, just traveling around. They seemed to have plenty of money, for just as I went into the shop I saw Merwell pay for something from a big roll of greenbacks.

”'After I left them, I got a bit curious about the pair, and so I watched them come from the shop and walk down to one of the docks and go aboard a big four-masted schooner. I hung around a little and pretty soon they came from the schooner and went up to one of the big hotels, and there I lost sight of them. Each had his little valise with him, but they weren't big enough for much clothing. My, but they were scared! I fancy they thought I might pitch into them for the mean things they did in the past. But I didn't want to start any row.'”

”Is that all he says?” demanded Dave, after the senator's son had finished.

”That's all he says about Merwell and Jasniff and their doings.”

”Doesn't he mention the name of that schooner, or the hotel?” asked Phil.

”No.”

”Did you say Luke was going to Jacksonville?” asked our hero.

”Yes, his whole family are down there.”

”Then I could telegraph to him and he could give me the name of the hotel, and of the schooner.”

”Dave, what do you make out of this?” demanded the senator's son.