At first it seemed as if Noddy was about to run away, like a child surprised in some mischief. But he saw that he could not escape without going past the motor boys, unless, indeed, he jumped into the river and swam across. So he decided to bluff it out. He turned aside and appeared to be gazing into the stream as the three comrades approached.
“What shall we do?” whispered Bob. “Speak to him or not notice him?”
“Leave it to me,” said Jerry. “I’ll see what he has been up to.”
Noddy stooped and picked up several stones which he idly tossed into the water.
“When did you get back?” asked Jerry, trying to speak politely to his old enemy.
“None of your business!” retorted Noddy. “And what’s more, if I find any of you fellers has been tellin’ tales about me I’ll make you smart for it! I’ll sue you for damages! I don’t want to have anything to do with you!”
“I guess that feeling is as much on our side as it is on yours,” spoke Ned.
“Exactly,” chimed in Jerry. “And what’s more, Noddy Nixon, if you feel that way about it you’d better get off this dock. It’s private property and we don’t allow any but our friends to come here and see our motor boat. You’re a trespasser and the sooner you move on the better we’ll like it.”
“I’ll go when I get good and ready!” fired back Noddy. “I came here because I have a claim against you, and I want it settled now or you’ll be the worse for it!”
“A claim against us?” asked Jerry. “What sort of a claim? Has it anything to do with the old mine that you didn’t get?”