“Just a moment, my friend,” spoke up Ned. “We weren’t smoking. I guess we know enough not to do that in a barn.”
“Don’t tell me! I know cigarette smoke when I smell it!” cried the farmer. “There! I just saw him drop his butt and step on it!” He pointed to Noddy, who had done what he was accused of.
“He isn’t with our party,” said Bill Cromley. “We don’t have anything to do with him!”
“I should say not!” sneered the bully. “I don’t want anything to do with you fellows—not in a hundred years!”
“Except to follow us and find out where we are going,” chuckled Ned. “Oh, we’re on to your game, Noddy!”
The farmer, who had been looking closely at Noddy, now advanced closer and cried:
“I know you, all right!”
“Oh, do you?” asked Noddy, while Jack and Dolt did not know what it all meant or what would happen.
“I sure do! You robbed my orchard a few years ago. I chased you and nearly caught you. I never forget a face—not a mean one like yours, anyhow. You’re the lad that robbed my orchard and broke down my fence! Now you get out of here as quick as you can or I’ll have the police after you! Get out!”