Then Gertrude related her story and told how Homer Bulson had said she must marry him.
"He was going to take me to some place in New Jersey," Gertrude continued. "I heard him and Sam Pepper talk it over."
"The both of them are a big pair of rascals!" burst out Nelson. "Oh, I wish I was a man! I'd teach them a lesson!" And he shook his head determinedly.
"I am afraid Mr. Bulson will find out that I am living with Mrs. Kennedy, and he'll watch his chance to make more trouble for me," said the girl despondently. "Oh, why can't he let me alone? He can have my uncle's money, and welcome."
"We'll all be on guard," answered Nelson. "If he tries to harm you, call a policeman. Perhaps that will scare him."
Gertrude returned to her home with Mrs. Kennedy, and satisfied that Homer Bulson would do nothing further that night, the newsboy started to walk uptown.
But presently he changed his mind and turned his footsteps toward the East Side. When he reached the vicinity of Sam Pepper's resort he saw a coach drawn up in front of the place.
Homer Bulson was just coming out of the resort with Sam Pepper behind him.
"It's too bad," our hero heard Bulson say.
"You're a fine rascal!" cried the boy boldly. "For two pins I'd have you locked up."