Then Dick had to go over all the adventures of the snowbound days.
"As soon as I clear up here," said Mrs. Prescott, "I'm going down into the store and tell your father some of the exciting things you've been telling me. And I know, Richard, that you're anxious to get out on the street and see some of your schoolmates. So run along."
Dick had not been out five minutes before he encountered Dave Darrin.
"Let's go up Main Street and see if we can't run into Tom and some of the other fellows," proposed Dave.
"Good enough," Dick nodded. But they went a good many blocks without encountering any of their own crowd.
"Wait; I want to step into this doorway and tie my shoe," said Dave. Dick took a few steps ahead. Just at the corner he encountered a man slinking around into Main Street.
"You here?" gasped Dick, then instantly he went down under a blow on his chest.
"Dave!" gasped Prescott, rather badly winded.
"What?" demanded Darrin, racing up.
"Mr. Fits knocked me down and bolted around that corner," flashed Dick Prescott.