"Porter! Then you must be that young villain Link told me about—the one who made so much trouble for him out on the ranch!" exclaimed Mrs. Slater. "Well, you can't see Link, or his friend. They have gone, and they won't be back."
"Have they gone to Rockville Academy?"
"You can find that out for yourself!" cried Mrs. Slater, and then slammed the door shut, and locked it.
"Very accommodating lady, I must say!" murmured Phil, sarcastically.
"Very essence of politeness," added Roger.
"Well, if they have gone, there is no use of our staying here," declared Dave. "Come on." And he led the way back to the hotel. Here they had another talk with Hooker Montgomery.
"If you'll promise not to prosecute me I'll appear against Merwell and Jasniff any time you want me," said the so-called doctor. And there the matter rested; and the boys went back to join their companions and help to make way with the generous supper that was awaiting the whole party.
"What place do you suppose Merwell and Jasniff were going to rob?" asked Roger of Dave, on the way back to Oak Hall.
"I am sure I don't know, Roger. Montgomery didn't say. More than likely those rascals didn't tell him."
"What are you going to do next, go up to Rockville after Link and Nick?"