"So soon?" said Mr. Layton, surprised. "That will be fine! I hope you won't be disappointed," and he went out on his way down to the store.
He had been gone hardly half an hour when Bob heard a cheerful chorus of whistles outside, and knew that his friends had arrived bright and early, as they had promised.
"Here we are, right on the job," said Jimmy, as Bob opened the door for them. "But say, what's happened to you? You look as though you'd been in a fight."
"There's nothing surprising about that, because I have been in a fight," replied Bob, grinning.
"With whom?" they all asked at once.
"An old friend of ours—dear old Buck Looker," responded Bob.
"Well, what—what—when did you see him to fight with him?" stuttered Jimmy.
"It all happened last night after you fellows had gone home," said Bob, and then gave them an account of how he had surprised the bully and the fight that had followed.
"Well!" exclaimed Joe, drawing a long breath when Bob had finished, "I'm glad you gave him a good licking, Bob. I envy you because you had the chance first. I'd like to get a look at Buck now."
"I imagine he'll keep out of sight for a few days," returned Bob.
"I don't think I improved his beauty any."