“You think I’m lying to you now! You don’t take any stock in me, do you?”
“I confess that I do not,” was the answer. “Knowing how natural it is for you to lie and deceive, I can’t believe you, Arlington. What your reason can be in coming to me like this I can’t understand, but I fancy you have some hidden object.”
“All right!” snarled Chester angrily. “Fancy what you please! I don’t care a rap! I’ve given you your opportunity to get revenge on Benton Hammerswell, and now you may do anything you choose.”
Having said this, Chester coolly lighted a fresh cigarette, after which he turned and walked away.
At the first store he reached he made inquiry for the town officials, and was given directions for finding Mayor Cobb.
Cyrus Cobb was at home when Arlington appeared, and he listened with great incredulity to the boy’s story of Benton Hammerswell’s crime.
“You dreamed it, young man—you dreamed it!” exclaimed Cobb. “Why, such things do not happen around here! I have seen boys like you before. I’ve seen boys who tried to kick up excitement by telling wild and improbable yarns.”
Instantly Arlington’s rage flamed up.
“I have seen old fools like you before!” he snarled. “They call you the mayor of this little one-horse town, do they? Well, you look it! You’re a great man for the place!”
At first Cobb had been astounded, but now his face flushed, and he shook his finger at Chet.