"I understand," nodded Prescott. "This fellow Dodge hired you to come down with him for more than one reason. In the first place, he and Bayliss were afraid to come here without backing. For another thing, Dodge thought that we'd guess you to be a constable, and I'll admit that I did mistake you for an officer at the outset. Dodge thought your presence would frighten us. You look like a decent man, sir, and I'm sorry to see you in such company. These two fellows were chased out of the Gridley High School just because they were considered unfit to associate with the members of the student body."
"That's a lie!" sputtered young Dodge.
"If you want to find out, sir, whether I'm speaking the truth," Dick went on, looking at the stranger, "just ask any well-informed citizen of Gridley whether Bert Dodge and his chum, Bayliss, were really chased out of the Gridley High School. You'll soon discover who the liar is—-Dodge or myself."
"Hang you!" roared Bert, advancing with fists clenched. "I'll punch your head off your shoulders!"
"Wait one moment, though," advised the stranger, stepping between
Dick and Bert. "Here, young man!"
"What's this?" Bert demanded, as the stranger forced something into one of his hands.
"It's the two-dollar bill you handed me," replied he of the stubby moustache. "I reckon that I made a mistake in taking it."
"Aren't you on my side any longer?" gasped Bert, in utter astonishment.
"I reckon not," was the crisp answer. "I didn't realize that
I was in such bad company."
"But you've only that mucker's word against mine!" cried Bert, flying into another rage.