"Why?" Overton wanted to know.
"Well, you've made an enemy of Dowley."
"Perhaps."
"Don't treat it as lightly as that," warned Noll Terry with great earnestness. "Dowley isn't a man to forget even a fancied injury. You noticed that Bill Hooper went out soon after Dowley, didn't you?"
"Yes; but what of it?"
"Hooper hates you; he has hated you for a long time, and Dowley has just learned to hate you. Now, you may be sure those two birds of a feather will flock together."
"Let 'em," laughed Hal indifferently.
"For what purpose will they flock together?" persisted Noll. "They now have a common interest in making life miserable for you."
"Just for my one remark to Dowley?" smiled Hal.
"I tell you Dowley is the kind of man who takes offense easily, and then can't make himself forget. Look there, quick!"