"If Nat does that, we'll have the testimony of the professor, Phil, and Roger against him," said Mr. Porter.
It must be admitted that the next day was an uncomfortable one for Dave, for he did not know at what moment an officer of the law might appear to arrest him. In the afternoon he and his chums went fishing, but he had little heart for the sport.
Early on the day following Ben Basswood called to see Dave and the others. As my old readers know, Ben had been a friend to Dave for many years, and had gone from Crumville to Oak Hall with him.
"Was coming before, to meet you and Roger and Phil," said Ben. "But I had to go out of town on business for dad. How are you all? Say, I hear you are going out West on a ranch. That's great! Going to shoot buffaloes, I suppose."
"No, hippopotamuses," put in the senator's son, with a grin.
"And June bugs," added Phil.
"You'll sure have the time of your lives! Wish I was going. But I am booked for the Great Lakes, which isn't bad. Going to take the trip from Buffalo to Duluth and back, you know. But say, I came over to tell you something."
"What is it, Ben?" questioned Dave.
"Come on outside."
The boys walked out into the garden and down to the summerhouse, where they proceeded to make themselves comfortable.