“And you haven’t a thing in this case?”
“Of course not.” He grabbed his cap and almost bolted from the house.
“Still more lies!” he half snarled, as he hurried along the street. “My own mother will lose confidence in me when she finds out the truth. It’s the most miserable piece of business I ever got mixed up in.”
Straight to Mrs. Chester’s home he hastened, and his heart gave a throb of satisfaction when the maid, admitting him, stated that Charley Shultz was with Osgood in the latter’s room.
They were talking in low tones when Piper unceremoniously opened the door and entered that room. Osgood had been pacing up and down, but Shultz was standing by the window. Both looked startled.
“You’re just the two fellows I want to see,” said Billy, closing the door carefully behind him.
“Who invited you in?” growled Shultz. “Why didn’t you knock?”
“Won’t you sit down?” invited Ned, in his usual courteous manner, which had at first seemed like affectation to the boys of Oakdale.
“Thanks,” said Piper. “Don’t believe I care to. I’ve been trying to get a private word with Shultz, and this is the first time——”
“If you wish to talk with him privately I’ll step out.”