Part 29 (1/2)
”Funny ti your breakfast,” spoke up Walter
”I prefer to eat,” said Stacy
”We know that,” chuckled Ned ”No need for you to tell us”
The Professor was eyeing Tad inquiringly, observing that the boy's face was slightly flushed
”What is it, Tad?” he asked
”Nothing, except that I a to take a pot shot at an intruder,”
replied the boy cal his rifle on the bushes where he had observed the er A deafening crash brought the boys to their feet, yelling The shot was followed by a shout fro, you fool!” roared a voice Tad put down his gun, grinning broadly, the others dancing about excitedly
[Illustration: Curtis Darwood Stepped Out]
”Co to yell at,” commanded the Pony Rider Boy
Curtis Darwood, his face stern and deterht towards the auide was the only person who had not gotten up when Tad Butler sent a bullet into the thicket fully six feet above the head of the gold digger as spying on the ca been discovered than being shot at He had heard the bullet rip through the foliage above his head, and knew that the shot had been intended to stir him up rather than to reach him
That the boy whom he had driven froered hiry that he failed to see any humor in the situation
”It is Mr Darwood, isn't it?” cried the Professor with face aglow, striding forith outstretched hand As in Butler's case, Darwood professed not to see the proffered hand He looked the Professor squarely in the face
”Won't you sit down and have a snack with us?” asked Professor Zepplin
”We were eating when Tad fired that shot That was very careless of you, young ht have killed so at,” answered the gold digger
”You see, this isn't the first ti fellow and myself have met”
”Of course not We all met on the 'Corsair,'” spoke up Rector
”He and I have met since then,” answered Darwood ”I reckon you know all about it He caht, and--”
”You know that isn't true,” interjected Tad ”Why don't you tell it straight if you are bound to tell it?”
The miner let one hand fall to his holster
”Up in this country they don't callButler coldly in the eyes
”Then men shouldn't place themselves in a position to be called liars,”