“Money, I’ll bet,” ventured Shiner.
“I shouldn’t wonder if it’s on account of that job he did for those fellows, hauling those ashes,” said Bobby.
“Wasn’t it luck that we happened along just at this minute?” chuckled Mouser delightedly.
As Joe and Hicksley were right in the path that led up to the school, the boys sauntered along carelessly until they were nearly abreast of them.
For a man who understood so little English, Joe was talking at a great rate.
“I wanta ze mon,” the boys heard him say.
“I tell you I haven’t got it with me just now,” Hicksley responded in an undertone, trying to quiet the man and keep the boys from hearing.
“I wanta ze mon now,” repeated Joe doggedly.
“Oh, give the man his money, Hicksley,” broke in Sparrow suddenly.
“He needs it to buy hash with,” said the irrepressible Fred.