“Just what I expected!” said Obed. “The treacherous skunk! So he’s in league with the landlord, is he? I’ll fix him.”
He cautioned the two boys not to show by their manner that they had made any discovery, but to appear as usual.
The next morning the party started as usual. They plodded on for almost a mile, when Obed, turning quickly to Fletcher, said:
“Let me look at that weapon of yours a minute.”
Fletcher unsuspiciously handed it over.
“I think I shall keep this, Fletcher,” said Obed, eyeing him steadily. “I’m pained to have to bid you good-bye.”
“What does all this mean?” blustered Fletcher.
“It means that your room is better than your company. We’d better part.”
“Would you rob me? That revolver is mine, and I paid for a share of the things in the cart.”
“I’ll allow you the vally of them and pay you on the spot, but we can’t go on together.”