There was a moment of hesitation, and then Cap, Bill and Pete, who were standing together, exchanging queer glances, heard Bondy Guilder say in a low voice to some of his particular cronies in the sporting set:
“I say, fellows, let’s have some fun. Let’s upset his old apple cart, and spill his Pain Killer and other stuff. He has nerve, trying to do business so near the school. There ought to be a rule to keep these peddlers away. Let’s make a rough house for him.”
“Sure! Go ahead! We’re with you!” agreed several. “Come on, we’ll all make a rush together.”
Cap and his brothers heard. They looked at each other and nodded.
“Here you are, young gentlemen! Here you are!” the voice of the vendor was murmuring. “You have listened with gratifying attention to the patter of Professor Theophilus Clatter, and now you may buy his wares. You need not beware of the wares of Theophilus Clatter!” he declaimed in a sing-song voice.
“That’s him!” exclaimed Pete.
“Of course,” agreed Bill.
“And they’re going to make a rough house for him,” added Cap. “Shall we stand for it?” he asked in a low voice.
“How are we going to stop them?” demanded Bill.
“If we say he’s a friend of ours I think they’ll pass it up.”