Part 40 (1/2)
declared Phil, resolutely starting forward
”If you go we had better go with you,” announced Dave ”But be careful, Phil If that erous”
”I don't think my Uncle Lester would hurt me even if he was out of his mind,” answered the shi+powner's son, as he moved toward the cabin, followed closely by the others
The boys were still a hundred feet or more away from the habitation when the ht of the newcomers he uttered a sudden cry of dis the cabin door shut behind him
”Evidently he's not very sociable,” reuess he doesn't want any visitors”
Advancing to the door, Phil knocked loudly
”Go away from here! I don't want to see any of you!” cried a heavy voice from within ”Go away, I tell you!”
”Open the door, please I want to speak with you,” answered Phil, as calmly as he could
”I won't talk to you! I don't want any one around this place!” carily from within the cabin ”Go away, or I'll shoot!”
”Say, I don't like this!” cried Shadow, in a low voice ”I guess we had better get out,” and he started to retreat, followed by Luke and Ben
Phil, however, stood his ground, and not to desert their chu to molest you,” called out Phil, after several seconds of silence ”All I want to do is to talk to you”
”I won't talk to anybody, I tell you! Go away! If you don't I'll use a shotgun on you!” returned the man in the cabin
”Aren't you Mr Lester Lawrence?” demanded Phil
”What's that?” And now the voice of the man showed sudden interest
”I say: Aren't you Mr Lester Lawrence?” repeated Phil
”Who said I was Lester Lawrence?” demanded the man, suspiciously
”If you are, I must talk to you I am Phil Lawrence, your nephew”
”Phil Lawrence!” the boys outside heard the man mutter to himself ”Phil Lawrence? Oh, it can't be!” Then he raised his voice: ”You are trying to play some trick on me,” he shouted
”It isn't any trick,” put in Dave ”This youngfor his uncle, Lester Lawrence He has good news for him”
”Good news? I can't believe it! It is soo away”
”Uncle Lester, it isn't any trick I aot the best kind of news for you; solad to hear Won't you please open the door and let me talk to you?”
”It's a trick, I know it's a trick,” came from the man, in almost a whine Nevertheless, he advanced toward the door, and with tre hands threw off the bolt that had been shot into place Then, with great caution, he opened the door several inches and peered out
”Who says he is Philip Lawrence?” he questioned, sharply