"That's it. I got my folks to buy an eighth interest in the whole outfit, and Slugger's folks bought an equal amount."
"Must have cost you something," said Fred.
"It cost our folks ten thousand dollars each," answered Slugger, in a bragging tone. "But we'll get that back, and a good deal more, too," he added.
"Did Gabe Werner's folks put up anything?" questioned Randy.
"Yes, they have an eighth interest, too," answered Nappy. "Oh, this is going to be some big concern, believe me."
"What about it if my father gets back those papers of which he was robbed?" questioned Jack pointedly.
"Oh, say, Jack Rover, you needn't come to me with that old yarn," growled Slugger. "We know there isn't a word of truth in it. Your father never had any such papers."
"He certainly did have them, and some day he may be able to prove it," answered Jack warmly. "On the very night that you fellows got us to go out to that storehouse he was knocked down in one of our rooms by two or three men and the papers were taken from him. And what is more, I am pretty sure in my mind that the fellows who took them were Davenport and his partners."
"Then you mean to say that Mr. Davenport is a thief?" cried Slugger, looking Jack full in the face.
"That's what I firmly believe."