Mr. Hockheimer made no reply, but stumped after the boys up the field and through the stable-yard. David held the gate open for him most courteously, and he passed through into the road. Then he turned and shook his fist.
"You shall pay for this some day!" he muttered. "I don't forget!"
"Neither do I," returned David. "Good-night, Mr. Hockheimer!"
As the boys came back round the side of the barn they met Avelyn and Pamela, who had run up from the field. The two girls had kept hidden among the bushes, but had seen and heard most of what was going on.
"You don't think he saw me?" asked Pamela. "I believe he'd kill me if he knew I'd told."
"I don't believe he could possibly see you, not even from up in the tree. It was getting so dark," David assured her.
"He has an awful temper!" shivered Pamela.
"Oh, Dave, you did bait him!" said Avelyn with a chuckle. "I didn't know you could be so sarcastic. I nearly died trying not to laugh out loud. How did you think of it all?"
"It came on the spur of the moment," admitted David modestly. "I've rather an idea I'd like to be a barrister when I grow up, if the war's over."
"I'd like to be a detective and snap the handcuffs on criminals," declared Tony, giving Billy his last honey-drop as a reward of virtue.