“That’s what I said,” replied Tom coolly.

“I—­I didn’t have anything to do with putting a log across any road,” mumbled the bully.  “I—­I’ve been off toward the creek.”

“Have you?” asked Tom with a peculiar smile.

“I thought you might have been looking for the wrench you dropped near the log.  You should be more careful and so should Sam Snedecker, who’s hiding outside the bushes,” went on our hero, for he had caught sight of the form of Andy’s crony.  “I—­I told him not to do it!” exclaimed Sam as he came from his hiding place.

“Shut up!” exclaimed Andy desperately.

“Oh, I think I know your secret,” continued the young inventor.  “You wanted to get even with me for outbidding you on the motor-boat.  You watched which road I took, and then, in your auto, you came a shorter way, ahead of me.  You hauled the log across the foot of the hill, hoping, I suppose, that my machine would be broken.  But, let me tell you, it was a risky trick.  Not only might I have been killed, but so would whoever else who happened to drive down the slope over the log, whether in a wagon or automobile.  Fortunately Eradicate discovered it in time and warned me.  I ought to have you arrested, but you’re not worth it.  A good thrashing is what such sneaks as you deserve!”

“You haven’t got any evidence against us,” sneered Andy confidently, his old bravado coming back.

“I have all I want,” replied Tom.  “You needn’t worry.  I’m not going to tell the police.  But you’ve got to do one thing or I’ll make you sorry you ever tried this trick.  Eradicate will help me, to don’t think you’re going to escape.”

“You get out of my automobile!” demanded Andy.  “I’ll have you arrested if you don’t.”

“I’ll get out because I’m ready to, but not on account of your threats,” retorted Mr. Swift’s son.  “Here’s your wrench.  Now I want you and Sam to start up this machine and haul that log out of the way.”

“S’pose I won’t do it?” snapped Andy.

“Then I’ll cause your arrest, besides thrashing you into the bargain!  You can take your choice of removing the log so travelers can pass or having a good hiding, you and Sam.  Eradicate, you take Sam and I’ll tackle Andy.”

“Don’t you dare touch me!” cried the bully, but there was a whine in his tones.

“You let me alone or I’ll tell my father!” added Sam.  “I—­I didn’t have nothin’ to do with it, anyhow.  I told Andy it would make trouble, but he made me help him.”

“Say, what’s the matter with you?” demanded Andy indignantly of his crony.  “Do you want to—­”

“I wish I’d never come with you,” went on Sam, who was beginning to be frightened.

“Come now.  Start up that machine and haul the log out of the way,” demanded Tom again.

“I won’t do it!” retorted the red-haired lad impudently.

“Yes, you will,” insisted our hero, and he took a step toward the bully.  They were out of the clump of bushes now and in the roadside ditch.  “You let me alone,” almost screamed Andy, and in his baffled rage he rushed at Tom, aiming a blow.