“That we made a mistake in coming?”
“Worse than that, young man. The deacon is famous for his foolish schemes, and that this caps the climax. No other man in town would have gone good for Jonas Lyford, and with the prospect of paying up another’s debt, which is likely to take all he is worth, I should have thought Deacon Cornhill would have felt like letting you and your companions alone.”
“We shall not make Mr. Cornhill any extra trouble, sir.”
“The safest way for you to make good your words will be by leaving town at once. I can see that you have created an unfavorable impression already. Still, I feel very sure that money enough to pay your fare to the city will be forthcoming if you conclude to go. I will give five dollars toward it myself.”
“You are very kind, sir.”
“You think you will go?”
Rob hesitated a moment before replying, but there was no mistaking his meaning when he spoke, low, but firmly:
“I can’t answer for my friends, but I have come to stay.”
CHAPTER XIV.
A WRITTEN NOTICE.
Dr. Menter made no reply to Rob’s last statement, but a few minutes later, as he turned his horse into the driveway leading to a comfortable-looking, old-fashioned, two-story house, he said: