But Dick wouldn't pay any heed to this renegade Grammar School boy who had gone back on his own mates.
"And where are the two friends we left here?" demanded Dick, undismayed by the advance of Fred Ripley and Bert Dodge. Tom and Dave drew a little closer to their chum, while Harry Hazelton flanked Dave.
"What do we know about your friends?" sneered Ripley. "What do we know about any of your cheap crowd?"
"And what do you imagine we care about them, either?" demanded Dodge.
"Are you fellows going to get out of here?" Dick demanded.
"When we get good and ready," retorted Fred, grinning. "That may be to-morrow or the next day."
"I suppose," Dick went on angrily, "you think you have a perfect right to stay here and to go on stealing our food?"
"You call me a thief, do you?" flared Fred.
"Do you consider yourself any better?" Dick asked. He was at white heat, fighting mad, and cared little what he said to these rowdyish intruders.
"Grab 'em, fellows!" ordered Fred, making a leap at Dick, while the other intruders rose from their places at table.