“I don’t see how I’m going to get it. I’m expecting some money from my uncle. But that has got to pay for my tuition at Colby Hall this fall.”
“Well, you let the school wait for its money and you turn it over to me. They won’t want you there anyhow if they should find out what sort of a fellow you are,” went on Bud Haddon coarsely. “Now I’ve got to be getting back to Bimbel’s, rain or no rain,” he continued. “Just remember, you’ve got to fork over a hundred in cold cash before you start East again. If you don’t—well, look out, that’s all!” And with this threat the tall man rode out of the cave.
The Rovers and their chums had listened to every word that had been spoken. They were both mystified and amazed by what had been said.
“That fellow Haddon is surely a first-class rascal,” whispered Spouter to Jack.
“Do you know what I think we had better do?” returned the young major. “Let’s stop Brassy and have a straight talk with him. I don’t think he’s quite as bad as we thought he might be.”
“Yes, let us stop Brassy by all means,” came in a low tone from Fred.
Brassy Bangs had ridden to the mouth of the cave and there sat astride of his horse, watching Bud Haddon as he galloped away though the rain. Then he turned back in anything but a cheerful humor. The other boys saw him dismount and sink down on a rock, covering his face with his hands.
“Come on,” said Jack, and without more ado he scrambled down from the rocks and came around to where Brassy was sitting, and the others did the same.
Brassy’s misery was so great that for several seconds he did not notice their approach. Then, he looked up startled and leaped to his feet.
“Where did you come from?” he demanded, as soon as he could speak.