CHAPTER XIX
SPENDING THE PRIZE MONEY
"Hoo—hoo!" called a gay voice, and Tod and Dotty turned to see Dolly Fayre flying toward them. She was alone and out of breath from running, but laughing gaily as she joined them.
"I ran away from Tad," she cried. "He went to get some candy, and just for fun, I scooted off. And somebody had said you came this way, Dot, so I followed just for fun. Why, what's the matter?"
Dolly looked in amazement at the group of angry men and at the half-frightened, half-indignant faces of Dotty and Tod.
"Matter enough," Tod said; "you keep out of it, Dolly. In fact, you girls go back to the hotel and leave me to fix things up with these men." Then he suddenly remembered his desire for an amicable settlement, and he said pleasantly, "I guess we can come to terms after the ladies have gone."
"I guess we can't!" said the black-browed man, in a surly tone. "You go back to the hotel, young man, and get that ten dollars, and I'll keep the young ladies here safe until you come back."
"Not much I won't!" cried Tod angrily. "Run on back, girls. Go on—beat it!"
"No, you don't!" and the big man stepped forward and laid his hand on Dotty's shoulder.