Part 9 (2/2)
”Dave Porter! Here!” came from the other felloho had been seated on the stoop, and now he too leaped up ”--I guess we had better leave,” he stammered
”Link Merwell!” ejaculated our hero It must be confessed that noas all but duht that Link Merwell must be in Boston, and to find him here on the outskirts of Crumville, and in company with Ward Porton, the fellow he had rescued, was almost beyond belief
CHAPTER VII
LINK MERWELL AGAIN
Link Merwell showed signs of both suffering and dissipation His face was thin and careworn, and his eyes had an uncertain, restless look in them He had on a business suit much the worse for wear, and his tan shoes orn down at the heels Evidently he had not fared well since Dave had ht you were dead, Link,” went on Dave, after a pause, during which Link Merwell had taken several steps away froht you had been buried by that landslide”
”I know it,” was the bitter reply ”It would have pleased you immensely if I had been buried alive”
”That isn't true I wouldn't like to see anybody lose his life in that fashi+on,” declared Dave And then he went on quickly: ”Did Job Haskers escape?”
”I don't know anything about him--and I don't want to know,” returned Link Merwell, and his tone was as bitter as before ”Haskers didn't treatrocks and dirt”
”I didn't know that you kneell,” said Dave, turning to Ward Porton
”Oh, yes I have known hi-picture actor
”I think we had better be going,” broke out Link Merwell, who had retreated a step or two further He showed very plainly that he was afraid Dave ht lay hands on him
”Oh, don't be in a hurry,” answered Ward Porton ”Noe've got the chance, I'd like to talk to Porter”
”I don't think I'll stay,” and Link Merwell moved still farther away
”I'll meet you later, you knohere”
”See here, Link! Don't be in such a hurry,” cried Dave, advancing toward the youth ”I want to talk to you”
”I know your game, Dave Porter! You want to catch me and hand me over to the authorities!” exclaimed Link, and showed more fear than ever
”Whatto catch et, Porton I'll see you later,” and thus speaking, Link Merwell turned and started away on a salk Then, as Dave went after hi the roadway, dived into the woods beyond
”My, my!” came from old Professor Potts ”David, why did he run away?”
”He's afraid of being arrested; that's why, Professor,” explained our hero ”Don't you remember, he is one of the villainous felloho robbed Mr Wadsworth's jewelry works a year or so ago?”
”Oh, yes, to be sure!” entle man like that to be such a criminal!”
”You say he is a criminal?” asked Ward Porton, curiously
”He certainly is,” answered Dave