"And how did you two happen to be there?" inquired Mr. Pollock.
"Oh, we—-we—-we were touring in that part of the country, and were fixing a break-down when Hazelton came running up," stammered Bert Dodge.
"It was fortunate, indeed, for Hazelton, that you had that break-down," replied the editor. Then his manner showed Dodge and Bayliss that it was time for them to go. Both were glad to get out of the "Blade" office, for they feared to stand too much questioning from one as keen as the newspaper man.
CHAPTER XXI
REAL NEWS AND "PUNK HEROES"
"Bayliss, no matter what happens," whispered Dodge, as the two young men climbed into the car outside, "don't you ever let it be found out that we went to the camp of Dick & Co. to play a joke on Prescott and the others. The awful way this night's work has turned out would make the town too hot for us."
"Don't you be afraid of my becoming loose-tongued," chattered
Bayliss. "Ugh! I don't believe I'll ever want to talk to anyone
again. Bert, do you really believe that all of the fellows but
Hazelton were really wiped out?"
"They—-they must have been," gasped Dodge.
"It's fearful!"
"It is," Dodge assented, as he threw on the speed. "I never liked Prescott, but to-night's awful work is something that I'd have been willing to have saved him from if there had been a way to do it.