This was after the party had returned to the creek and luncheon was in order. The other boys saw that the red-headed youth and Short and 179 Long had a scheme between them, and they sat back and prepared to enjoy Purt’s discomfiture.
“You can’t fool Purt in a hundred years,” Short and Long reiterated, quite hotly.
“Can,” returned Reddy, briefly, with his mouth full. “Got a half dollar, Purt?”
“What if I have?” demanded the dude, suspiciously.
“You put it under that mug on the table, and I bet I can take the money without touching the mug.”
“You cawn’t trick me,” drawled Port. “You couldn’t do that, you know, Reddy.”
“Put your half dollar under the mug and see if I can’t,” chuckled the auburn-haired youth.
Thus urged, Purt did as agreed. He placed a half dollar on the table, and carefully covered it with an inverted mug that he had been drinking milk from.
Everybody was interested now and was watching the proceedings.
“Better put a napkin over it, Purt,” advised Reddy. “For I’m going to fool you a whole lot!”