Part 22 (1/2)
”No, I can't say that. The a.s.sault was committed by one man, and so far they haven't been able to find any accomplices.”
When Sam returned to Brill he at once sought out Songbird and told him of what he had heard. The would-be poet of Brill was even more surprised than Spud had been.
”I wouldn't put it above Belright Fogg to be in with a rascal like Blackie Crowden,” was Songbird's comment. ”He did his best against you in that flying machine affair and in that affair in New York City.”
”I've got an idea,” said Sam, after a slight pause. ”I am to pay him six dollars' damages for hitting him in the head with that s...o...b..ll. Doctor Wallington was going to send him a check. I've got a good notion to ask the doctor to let me pay the bill and get Fogg's receipt for it. That will give me a chance to pump him about this matter.”
”Do it, Sam! And I'll go along,” burst out his chum, quickly. ”If this Belright Fogg knows Blackie Crowden I want to know it.”
Permission was readily granted by the head of Brill to Sam to pay the bill, and that evening the Rover boy and Songbird took the former's automobile and rode over to where Belright Fogg boarded, on the outskirts of Ashton. They found the lawyer just preparing to go out, and he showed that he was very much surprised to see them.
”I suppose you are here to pay that bill you owe me,” he said stiffly to Sam.
”I am, Mr. Fogg,” was the answer. ”I believe you agreed to accept six dollars. If you will make out a receipt for the amount I will give you Doctor Wallington's check.”
”Humph! isn't the check receipt enough?” demanded the lawyer.
”Perhaps. But I would prefer to have a receipt showing exactly what the money is being paid for,” answered Sam. ”As a lawyer you must know it is best to have these things straight.”
”Oh, very well. Come in and I'll write out your receipt for you,”
announced Belright Fogg, coldly, and ushered the pair into a sitting-room.
Sam had asked Songbird to say nothing about Blackie Crowden until the matter of the s...o...b..ll injury was settled. A receipt for the money was quickly penned by Belright Fogg.
”There, I presume that will be satisfactory,” he said, as he showed it to Sam.
”That's all right, Mr. Fogg,” was the answer. ”And here is your check.”
Sam paused for a moment while the lawyer looked the check over. ”By the way, Mr. Fogg, I understand you were in Leadenfield a few days ago at the tavern kept by Bissette.”
”What's that?” shot out the lawyer, somewhat startled.
”I said that I understood that you were in Leadenfield a few days ago at the tavern kept by Bissette.”
”And that you met a man there named Blackie Crowden,” broke in Songbird, quickly.
”I--I was in Leadenfield some days ago on business,” answered Belright Fogg, hesitatingly, ”but I wasn't at the Bissette place, or anywhere near it.”
”But you met a man named Blackie Crowden?” queried Sam.
The lawyer glared at the Rover boy and also at Songbird.
”Blackie Crowden? I don't know such an individual--at least, not by name.”
”He is a fellow who used to work in Hoover's livery stable in Center Haven--a man who stutters greatly.”
”Don't know the fellow,” was the prompt response.
”You mean to say you didn't meet Blackie Crowden at Bissette's?” cried Songbird.
”Look here, young man, what are you driving at?” stormed Belright Fogg, in a sudden temper. ”You've no right to question me in this manner.
What is it all about?”