“All right, why not come out and show yourself,” Bob said, as soon as he recovered his surprise.
“I’ll come when it suits me and not before,” the voice growled. “And in the meantime you two stand right where you are. I’ve got yer covered and I’d about as soon shoot as eat.”
As the voice uttered these threatening words, its owner stepped into view. The boys at once recognized Nip the hunchback, despite the fact that his face was covered with a thick growth of hair.
“Now what are you all a followin’ me fer?” he demanded, as he stepped to within about six feet of them and stopped.
The boys saw that he had uttered no idle threat, for he held in his right an ugly looking revolver. It was also evident that, however drunk he might have been the day before, he was perfectly sober now.
“Who said we were following you,” Bob asked. “I believe this is a free country, and I guess we have as much right to be here as you have.”
“Aw, cut it out, kid, I heared yer talkin’, so what’s the use of tryin’ ter bluff?”
“All right, have it your own way,” Bob replied pleasantly, trying to appear unconcerned. “You seem to have the drop on us. May I ask what you intend to do about it?”
“That depends on you all,” the man declared after a moment’s thought. “I asked yer what fer ye’r a followin’ me.”
“Under the circumstances I guess it’s a fair question and I’ll give you a fair answer,” Bob replied. “I have reason to think that you have a deed to some timber land which belongs to my father and we have followed you to get it.”