"And old Haskers!"
"You've got to be careful what you do to Haskers," said Shadow. "He is just watching for a chance to get somebody into trouble."
"Do you remember how Dave beat Plum in that race on the ice?" said Roger. "That was great!"
"By the way, Plum is cutting quite a dash again," said Buster. "His father must have sent him a lot of spending money."
"Then he can pay up those bets I heard about," said Macklin.
"He has paid them up, so I was told," replied another student. "But I'll wager it made him mad to do so."
"He had no business to bet against his own school," said Sam. "It was a mean piece of business. I've cut him dead for doing it."
What was said about Gus Plum having money was true. He had paid all his debts and in addition had spent several dollars in having a so-called "good time" with Jasniff and Poole in a tavern on the outskirts of Rockville. But he was not particularly happy, if one was to judge by the worried and scared look that often showed itself on his face. At times it looked as if he wanted to draw away from Nick Jasniff, but that student clung to him closer than ever.
One Friday afternoon Dave, Roger, and Ben got out of school a little early and resolved to walk to Oakdale, just for the exercise and to buy a few things of trifling importance. They were soon on the way, and arriving at the town lost no time in making their purchases. In Oakdale they met Mrs. Fairchild and asked her if she had heard anything concerning the robbery at her house.
"Not a thing," said the widow; "and I suppose I never shall."