“Yes; I think so,” replied Mr. Prescott.

“The book must be delivered within the hour,” continued the voice, “as Mrs. Carhart is going on a journey and wishes the book to read while on the train.”

“I will deliver the book within fifteen minutes,” Mr. Prescott promised.  “At the Gideon Wells place, did you say?  I didn’t know that it had a tenant.”

“Mrs. Carhart has taken the place for the summer.  I will rely upon you to deliver the book immediately.  Thank you; good-bye.”

“I suppose you have an appointment with the crowd, Dick,” smiled his father, as he hung up the receiver.  “I don’t like to get in the way of your fun, but I shall have to ask you to deliver the book, for the profit on that volume is too large to be overlooked.”

“I don’t mind going,” Dick answered.  “I can get back just a little late.  I’m all ready as soon as you have the book wrapped and the bill made out.”

Three or four minutes later Dick left the store.  At the corner of Main Street he looked to see whether any of his chums were visible, but none were.  So he turned and started, traveling fast.

Had young Prescott answered the ’phone call himself he very likely would have suspected that the voice of the customer was that of Bert Dodge disguised.  However, as it was, the Grammar School boy had no suspicion whatever.  He made part of the distance at a jog trot.  He was soon in the less thickly inhabited part of the town, down in a section of large estates, many of which were used only as summer homes.

“This Mrs. Carhart must be a new-comer in Gridley,” reflected Dick, as he hastened along.  “I hope she’ll buy a lot of books of us at as good prices.”

He came now to the corner of the Wells estate, the grounds of which were some eighty acres in extent.  He passed the corner and ran along toward two great elms that grew just inside the trim wall.

Just as he reached these elms two figures started up from behind the wall beyond.  The same two figures leaped over the wall, confronting the Grammar School boy.

“Howdy, Prescott,” called Bert Dodge, with a mocking grin.

“We were just saying that we’d rather see you than any one else on earth,” leered Fred Ripley, as he stepped in the Grammar School boy’s path.

“I haven’t any time to waste on you two just now,” Prescott answered coldly, trying to step around the pair.

“Then you’ll take the time,” scoffed Bert, reaching out to seize Dick by the shoulder.

Fred Ripley aimed an unexpected blow that sent the lad to earth and the book flying several feet beyond.

Chapter XIX

DAVE DARRIN FLASHES FIRE

“That was just like you—–­it was so cowardly and low down!” cried Dick hotly, as he leaped to his feet.

He was now near the package containing the book.  Doubtless he could have snatched up the book and sprinted to safety.  But that was not his way of meeting so great an affront.