The girl was silent. She evidently did not like Max Pooler's remark, and stood biting her finger nails in vexation.
"We are willing to pay for what we've had," broke in Mont. "We were so hungry that we couldn't wait till we got back to town, and so persuaded this--this young lady to provide something for us."
Max Pooler looked relieved.
"Ah, that's all right then," he said, rubbing his hands together in satisfaction. "Pay for what you get and owe no man, has always been my motto, and I find it a very excellent one, too. Tell me something of your adventures. And, by the way, is there anything else you wish?"
"No, I'm done," replied the young machinist.
He was thoroughly disgusted with the man's mean manner, though he did not object to paying for what they had had.
But Mont entered readily into conversation. He had eyed Max Pooler keenly from his arrival, and noticed every action of the man. He briefly related the particulars of what had happened on the river. For obvious reasons he did not mention how either Jack or he had fallen into such a position, nor did he mention any names.
"Awful! terrible! truly remarkable!" were Max Pooler's comments. "But did you see 'em?" he continued, in a tragic whisper.
"See whom?" asked Jack, who was somewhat taken back by this sudden change in the man's manner.
"Why, the ghost in the falls," replied Max Pooler, earnestly, "It is the spirit of a man who went over one night."