“There isn’t any more to tell,” said Luke. “My friend tried to find out where he had gone but couldn’t.”
“He must be having a lonely time of it—trying to keep out of the hands of the law,” murmured Dave.
“And maybe he hasn’t much money,” said Buster. “His father may have shut down on him.”
Gus Plum listened to all this conversation without saying a word. But down in his heart the former bully of Oak Hall was glad that he had cut away from Merwell and Jasniff, and turned over a new leaf, and he resolved then and there that, come what might, he would never again turn aside from the path of right and honor.
“Say, why don’t you listen to my story?” pleaded Shadow, and then related a somewhat rambling tale of a man who had changed his name and, later on, lost some property because of it.
Another day slipped by and it was one of particular interest to Dave and Roger, for in the morning they made up the last of the back lessons imposed upon them by Job Haskers. They had done exceedingly well, but the harsh teacher gave them little credit. Phil and Ben had still three 115 days’ work, but Professor Haskers said nothing of this.
“He doesn’t dare,” declared the shipowner’s son.
“That’s right,” chuckled Ben. “We could give him a good black eye before this whole school if we wanted to.”
Dave had already finished up the back lessons for the other teachers, so he was now free to spend his time on what was ahead of him. He was as enthusiastic as ever to make a record for himself, and pitched in with a will, and his enthusiasm was caught by Roger, who also resolved to do his best.
“Whoop! hurrah! What do you think of this?” came from Phil, late one afternoon, after the mail had been distributed. “Somebody hold me down! I guess I’m going to fly! Or maybe I’m only dreaming!” And he began to caper around gayly.