“I’m sorry for you, but I think you have been cheated,” went on Mr. Carter. “I know that company which pretended to sell you this land. It is a swindling concern. A number of persons have been fooled into buying land here and when they came to take possession of it they found it was a swamp. But you are the first one who tried to lay claim to my land,” he added, with a grin.
“You’ll find this no laughing matter!” cried Noddy, his anger getting the best of him. “I tell you I’m going to have my rights. I’ll see a lawyer.”
“Then you’d better start now,” said Mr. Carter. “There isn’t any in this village, and the nearest one is twenty miles away. We don’t have much use for lawyers down here.”
“I’ll go right away!” cried Noddy. “I’ll have my rights, I tell you!”
“Maybe your acquaintances will take you to a lawyer,” went on Mr. Carter, who seemed anxious to bring Noddy to his senses. “Any one will tell you that you have been swindled.”
“I’ll go alone and find some one to take up my case,” exclaimed the Cresville youth. “I don’t want any help from Jerry Hopkins or any of his gang, either.”
“We’re not a gang!” objected Bob. “If you say that again, Noddy Nixon, I’ll—”
“Go easy,” whispered Jerry to his chum. “Let him alone.”
“You’ll suffer for this!” ejaculated Noddy, glowering at Mr. Carter. “I’ll have the law on you! My father is a rich man and he’ll help me get my rights. I’ll have you arrested for stealing my cocoanut grove!”