Hal Carson was sure that he had just missed a most important statement.
"I wish Ferris had finished what he intended to say," he thought.
He waited breathlessly for the two to go on.
"What makes you so scared?" asked Ferris. "Can anybody hear us here?"
"I think not. Still we want to be careful."
"Yes, but——"
"Not another word on that point, Dick." Hardwick's voice grew stern. "I am a man, while you are a boy, and I know what is best for both of us."
"Well, have your own way."
"I think it will be a wise plan for you to get Carson out of the way. He is altogether too smart a fellow to have around," continued the book-keeper.
"I don't think he looks very smart," sneered Ferris, who could not stand hearing Hal praised.