"It's as plain as day," said Phil. "If Nat's story is true, this Shocker went back and robbed Dave."
"Yes, but if he did, Nat is partly responsible, for he left me tied up," said Dave.
"Of course he is responsible," came from Roger.
"I don't see how," grumbled the money-lender's son, but his uneasiness showed that he thought as did the others.
"You'll see how, if that Shocker doesn't show up with my things," said Dave, sternly. "I'll hold you and your father responsible for every dollar's worth."
This threat almost caused Nat to collapse, and he felt even worse when Dave added that the scarfpin and the watch and chain were worth about one hundred dollars.
"I'm going to hunt up Shocker's address as soon as I get home," said Nat. "I'll run him down, see if I don't—and I'll make him give the things up, too!"
"Well, I'll give you a fair amount of time," answered Dave. "After that I'll look to you and your father to make good."
Fortunately for Dave, he could easily get along without the watch and the scarfpin, and his uncle let him have some money in place of that taken. But Mr. Porter told Nat that his father would have to settle the matter if Tom Shocker was not brought to book.
At Buffalo the others separated from Nat Poole, who said he was going to take the early morning train home. Nat felt very bad over the outcome of his joke, and to a certain extent Dave and his chums felt sorry for him.