“Hi there!” called out Dave, when he was but a few feet behind. The fellow had stopped and turned around, and a single glance showed our hero that it was the youth he was seeking.
“Dave Porter!” muttered Ward Porton, as he recognized our hero. His manner showed that he was much astonished, as well as chagrined, at this unexpected meeting.
“You didn’t expect to meet me out here, did you?” remarked Dave, sharply, as he came up alongside the former moving-picture actor.
“Why––I––er––I––can’t––can’t say that I did,” returned Porton, lamely.
“You’ve been acting in a fine way, haven’t you, Porton?” went on Dave, angrily.
“Huh! What have I done?” Porton’s gaze was shifty. He did not dare to look our hero in the eyes.
“You know well enough what you’ve done, Porton––buying a whole lot of goods in my name.”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t do any such thing!” was the blustering reply. The former moving-picture actor was recovering from his surprise.
“I can prove that you did; and I’m going to hold you responsible for it,” answered Dave, calmly.
“Look here, Porter, I don’t want any such 70 talk from you!” and now Ward Porton doubled up his fists and stuck out his chin. “I’ve stood all I am going to stand from you. I want you to leave me alone.”