He approached Chester and extended a hand to him also.
"Come now, Stubbs," said Chester. "Drop those things back down there and go to bed."
"Not much," replied Stubbs grimly. "I'm going to hunt a safer spot than this."
He released Chester's hand and made his way to the door. There, just before moving away, he turned and spoke.
"Boys," he said, "we've been pretty good friends, the three of us, haven't we?"
"You bet we have, Stubbs," returned Chester warmly.
"We certainly have, Mr. Stubbs," Hal agreed.
"All right, then," said the little man. "You both have been good enough to tell me once or twice that I have been of some service to you."
"You certainly have, Mr. Stubbs," declared Hal, "and anything we can do to repay you—"
"Never mind that," said Stubbs with a wave of the hand. "All I want to say is this: If, at any time, within a day or two or within a month or two, I do anything you don't like, anything that puts you to some inconvenience—you will know that I am doing it for your own good—because I am fond of both of you and don't want to see you get in trouble."