“Well, good-by, my lad,” said Mr. Orr, as he and Alex that evening dropped Jack off their returning train at Midway Junction. “And I suppose it is unnecessary to warn you against understandings with such men as Watts in the future, no matter for what purpose.”
“Hardly, Dad,” responded Jack earnestly. “No more agreements of any kind for me unless they are on the levellest kind of level, no matter who they are with, or for what purpose.”
XIII
PROFESSOR CLICK, MIND READER
Some months previously Alex and Jack had arranged to take their two weeks’ vacation at the same time, and to spend one week at Haddowville, Jack’s home, and the other at Bixton.
The long looked-for Monday had at length arrived, early that morning Jack had joined Alex at Exeter, and the two boys, aboard the Eastern Mail, were now well on their way to Haddowville.
For some minutes Alex’s part in the animated conversation of the two chums had waned. Presently, plucking Jack’s sleeve, he quietly directed his companion’s attention to the double seat across the aisle of the car.
“Jack, watch that soldier’s fingers,” he said in a low voice. “What’s the matter with him?”