“The scoundrel!”
“It’s all a mistake!” roared Gabe Flecker. “I never swindled anybody out of a cent.”
By this time a crowd was beginning to collect, and the conductor of the train came hurrying to the spot.
“You can’t quarrel here,” he said. “Come to the smoker.”
“I am willing,” said Frank, and Gasper Lee said the same. As there appeared to be no help for it, Gabe Flecker marched to the smoker. There, surrounded by a number of men, our hero told his story, and Gasper Lee related how he had met Flecker in New York, and how the sharper had gotten into his good graces, and mentioned some valuable property on the outskirts of Charleston as being for sale.
“I should have handed over my money had it not been for this young man,” concluded the planter. “I was fairly talked into making a bargain with this rascal.”
“Were you going through to Charleston?” asked the conductor of Gabe Flecker.
“I was; but I guess I’ll get off at the next station, now,” growled the swindler.
“If you do, I’ll put you in the hands of the police,” came from Gasper Lee.
“Just what I have in mind to do,” added Frank.