“Stacy!” thundered the Professor. “What does this mean?”
“Nothing, Professor,” answered Tad. “Chunky got a little excited, that is all. You 188may put the gun down, Stacy. Mr. Darwood doesn’t understand; that’s all. Sit down and have a snack with us, as the Professor has asked you to do,” urged Butler.
“I don’t want to eat with you. You know it. Don’t you go to getting me riled or I won’t answer for the consequences.”
“Neither will I,” answered Tad smilingly. “We are easy to get along with unless someone treads on our toes; then it’s a different story. Sit down and we will talk this matter over.”
Tad threw himself down beside the fire. Stacy still sat behind the rock, gazing suspiciously at their early morning visitor.
“I demand to know the meaning of this scene,” said the Professor sternly.
“Let Mr. Darwood tell you,” replied Butler.
The gold digger made no answer. Tad turned to the Professor.
“I will tell you what there is to it, sir. Mr. Darwood thinks we are like some others he has met. He thinks we are trying to steal his gold mine,” declared Tad in an impressive voice.
Professor Zepplin flushed deeply.