"How long were you at this window, young fellow?" demanded Jake Tate.
"I guess that's our own business," and Randy's eyes flashed defiance.
"You want to keep your eyes on those Rovers," cautioned Nappy Martell. "They're as sly as foxes. I know 'em!"
"And they'll do you harm if they can," added Slugger Brown.
"He is saying that because we wouldn't stand for any of his underhanded work," explained Fred.
"We never did stand for anything that wasn't on the level," added Andy, and looked at Carson Davenport suggestively.
"See here, young fellow, don't you get fresh!" cried the oil company promoter. And then he added with a sneer: "I reckon you've been listening to more than was good for you."
"Well, if you want to know it, we heard a few things that surprised us," answered Jack boldly.
"What did you hear?" questioned Jake Tate quickly.
"We heard what you had to say about the Lorimer Spell claim, if you must know it," retorted Fred.