“Yes, I know,” responded Frank. “It looks very easy until some break comes along. I wouldn’t like to pile up a lot of expenses, and then have to flunk and lose not only the little capital we have but the outfit we’ve worked so hard to get. Truth is, fellows, any way I figure it out, we’re short of the ready funds to carry this thing through.”
Randy and Pep looked pretty blank at this. It was a decidedly wet blanket on all their high hopes.
“Couldn’t we get a partner who would finance us?” finally suggested Randy.
“Why, say, give me that chance!” spoke an eager voice that brought the three chums to their feet.
CHAPTER IV—AN OLD FRIEND
It had grown nearly dusk while the three chums sat at the window of their room animatedly discussing their prospects. None of them had thought of lighting the gas and the night shadows that had crept into the room prevented them from recognizing the intruder whom they now faced.
They had left the door of the room leading into the corridor wide open to allow a free current of air. The doorway framed a dim figure who now advanced into the room as Frank challenged sharply:
“Who’s that?”
“Why, it’s me—Peter,” came the cool reply. “Don’t you remember?”
Peter—Peter Carrington—stalked closer to the window with the superb effrontery that was a natural part of his make-up. He ducked his head and grinned at the chums in the most familiar manner in the world. There was a spare chair near by. Peter moved it near to the others and sat down as if he owned it.