“Yes, he was!” said Jenkins doggedly, and all the boys gave a gasp.

CHAPTER XXI

WHAT APPEARED ON BILLY’S PLATES

The statement of Jim Jenkins that a boy wearing the uniform of the Hilltop boys had told him and others that the building of the branch line would injure them had already caused considerable excitement among the young students, and Jim’s second statement to the effect that the boy had been there that very day only served to increase it.

The doctor did not seem to care about pressing this point, however, and said somewhat impatiently: 

“Well, whoever it was who gave you this information, it was false, and I will prove to you that we have every authority for going on with this work and that it will not injure you in the least.”

Dr. Wise then produced maps, letters and other documents and proceeded to enforce his point.

The men seemed little interested, however, and several of them went away while the doctor was stating his case, the big man at length saying in a surly tone as he turned away: 

“That’s all right, go on with yer old road, but I’d just like-----”
and he went away muttering, followed by the greater part of the men
still remaining, some having already left.

“Ha! very strange, quite incomprehensible, yes, yes,” said the doctor.  “Well, well!  I really can’t—–­well, never mind.  Go on with your work, young gentlemen.  I do not think it will again be interfered with.”

Percival had not waited for the word to go ahead, but had already set up his theodolite while the doctor was explaining matters to the men, and had taken a number of sights, set his first bench mark and was getting his boys to work, Jack being ready to follow behind with his levelers as soon as the work ahead was far enough advanced.

The greater part of the men went away with Calthorpe, but a few of them remained behind to watch the boys at work, showing considerable interest.

Percival took his sights, fixed his direction and went ahead rapidly, setting his stakes and running his line roughly, Jack coming on later and settling the level.

After supper, when it was quite dark and the boys were sitting around the camp fires, enjoying the warmth fully as much as the light, Billy Manners came quietly to Jack, who was sitting with Percival, the latter playing softly on a guitar, and whispered in his ear: 

“Come with me, Jack.  I’ve got something to show you that will give you a surprise and set you to thinking.”

“What is it, Billy?” asked Jack.

“Come and see!” was the mysterious answer, and Jack arose and followed Billy to a little tent in a bit of thick woods outside the camp.

“What is it, Billy?” asked Jack as Billy opened the flap of his little tent where the light of a small red lantern shone upon a bench where there were hard rubber trays, a few big bottles and a pail of water.