Ben recognized the boy now as he came within the radius of the street lamp. He was a cousin of Dave named Dick Farrell, who lived in another town.
“H’m,” commented Ben, as he proceeded on his way, “was that all brag and bluster, or is there something under all this?”
Ben recalled the remark of Dunn to Saxton that afternoon, when the bluff machine shop foreman had told the manufacturer that he acted as if he were afraid of Tom Shallock. He remembered, too, that it was general knowledge about the works that Shallock had been discharged for cause more times than any man in the place, and had always managed to get back again into the employment.
“Dave said, too, that Saxton was bamboozling father,” reflected Ben. “Well, I have always thought that myself. I wonder, though, what he means when he talks about his father producing the evidence?”
Ben reached the automobile works figuring out all kinds of suspicions and solutions as to the threatening remark of Dave Shallock. His father and Foreman Dunn had just concluded their labors. Mr. Hardy washed up, and was soon on his way home, Ben chattering exuberantly by his side.
Ben, at his father’s request, recited the vivid occurrences of the day. He went into detail about his talk with Mr. Davis, and mentioned the invitation to the aero meet. Mr. Hardy said nothing as to his prospects of going there, but Ben knew that was his way, always turning a proposition over fully in his mind before he came to a final decision, and the son was hopeful.
“Two hundred dollars?” repeated Mr. Hardy in great surprise, as Ben told about the money Bob Dallow had brought him. “That is a small fortune for a boy like you.”
“Father, what did Dave Shallock mean by the threat he made?” asked Ben, quite anxiously, when the conversation had taken a new turn.
“Oh, some boastful nonsense,” said Mr. Hardy indifferently. “I have no time to analyze such talk. Tom Shallock would be a fair workman if he would keep sober. It is certainly true that he has some influence with Mr. Saxton, but he cannot injure us. I shall keep right on doing my best, and honest labor will always command a fair market. As to you, Ben, a very pretty and useful token of regard the men are getting for you will show how they esteem you.”
Ben tried a hint or two to induce his father to take some action about the patents that he had given under the control of Jasper Saxton, but Mr. Hardy was not responsive.