“Dave, I’ve shook Whiffin!”
“What! Left the show?” cried the historian. “You don’t mean it?”
“Yes; I sure have, Dave.”
“Well, this is a big surprise, all right,” quoth Tom.
“It isn’t to me,” giggled Victor. “I had an idea last night that Dave’s particular crony was up to something desperate.”
“I presume this is the boy you told me about?” broke in Captain Bunderley.
“Yes, sir. Permit me to formally introduce Mr. Joseph Rodgers, of Iowa,” laughed Victor.
“What made you leave the show?” asked the captain.
“Him!”
Joe’s brown finger pointed straight toward Dave Brandon.