“I’m not making any settlement through a third party. I propose to do business with you direct, my boy. Hunnewell chased me round, but I declined to enter into dealings with him. I found out where you had gone, and decided to take a little vacation myself, and look you up. I am here. Now, take my advice and be good. Unless you do, your goose is cooked at Harvard.”
“Why don’t you find an elevated platform somewhere and tell people about it?” chirped Dale. “Hadn’t you better hire a hall?”
“If you don’t want your friends here to hear any of our conversation, you might step outside with me.”
“I’d like to step outside. I’d like to see you in some quiet, secluded spot where I could put a few dents in your face, Hanks!”
“If you want to try that on, you have my permission, but you know what will follow. I have the proofs, Sparkfair—I have witnesses. You were caught with the goods. I’m not choosing this as the proper place to discuss the matter. If you wish to maintain secrecy, there’s a fine veranda and a broad lawn outdoors.”
“This is no time to talk of such things,” protested Dale, doing his best to hide the annoyance and exasperation which threatened to get the upper hand. “If you wish to see me to-morrow——”
“But I don’t. To-morrow I return to Cambridge. We’ll come to an understanding to-night. If not, you’ll be a fool if you ever again show your head at Harvard.”
“As long as you’re so urgent,” smiled Spark, “I suppose I’ll have to give you a modicum of my valuable time. Toddle along, Hanksy, and I will follow your lead.”
A couple who happened to be standing on the veranda saw them come out of the house and stroll away on the lawn, chatting freely in a way that was deceptive in its seeming friendliness. It happened, also, that Jack Randall had seen them leave the house, and had recognized the fellow with Sparkfair.
“What the dickens does that mean?” muttered Randall. “That was Hanks. Where did he come from, and what is he doing here?”