"Wh--what did yo--you do that for?" he spluttered, as after an effort he arose and glared at Robert.
"To teach you a lesson, you overgrown bully," replied Robert. "The next time, I imagine, you will know enough to leave me alone." And then he passed along to the dock to hire the rowboat.
Sammy Gump glared after him in baffled rage. "All right; you just wait," he muttered. "Nobody ever struck me yet but what he didn't rue it afterward!"
CHAPTER XIII.
VERNON'S HIGH-HANDED PROCEEDINGS.
Frederic Vernon found it very hard to cut down his expenses. He had so accustomed himself to luxurious living that to give up any of the good things of life was to him worse than having a tooth pulled.
Yet it was absolutely necessary that he do something, for his rent was due, and his tailor had threatened to sue him unless at least a part of the bill for clothing was paid.
Returning from Mr. Farley's office he found his landlord waiting for him.
"Good-morning, Mr. Vernon," said the landlord stiffly. "I called for the quarter's rent for your apartments."
"I am very sorry, Mr. Brown," replied Vernon smoothly. "But I will have to ask you to wait until next week. My banker----"