“Well, it’s a free country,” observed Nestor. “It looks as if they were following you, but there’s no law to prevent it. I guess they won’t stay here long, though, after that chap that robbed me knows I’m stopping at this hotel. Wait until I get my hands on him.”
“Perhaps it would be better not to let him know who you are,” suggested Jerry. “They may be up to some trick, and we can work to better advantage against them by keeping quiet.”
“Right you are,” admitted the miner, after thinking the matter over. “He wouldn’t know me if he saw me, since I got shaved. We’ll just lay low an’ watch.”
The Motor Boys, with Nestor and Professor Snodgrass, were the first ones down to the dining-room to supper. In a little while Noddy, Jack and Bill entered. The three latter started in surprise at beholding the Cresville boys, and for a moment seemed undecided what to do. Then, at a whispered word from Berry, they filed to the other side of the room and took their seats at a table.
“I wonder if they really followed us,” Jerry said.
“Must have,” was Nestor’s opinion. “But I reckon they didn’t expect to find you here.”
“But what can their object be?”
“I don’t think they exactly know themselves,” replied the miner. “I guess they hope to annoy you, or they may expect to get a line on what our plans are. But we’ll try to fool ’em.”
Before the meal was over, Pud Stoneham came in and took a seat at Noddy’s table. In a little while the gambler seemed to be on good terms with Bill Berry and his companions.
It was still raining hard when the three boys, with the professor and Nestor, went up to bed. The naturalist and the boys had two rooms, while Nestor was by himself. Noddy and his chums disappeared after the meal, Pud Stoneham accompanying them.