“To be sure I did not.  I have a large party with me.”

“In this vicinity?”

“Yes, within calling distance.  I tell you that —­ and it’s the truth —­ so that you won’t try any underhand game on me.”

“You — you —­” Josiah Crabtree broke off and suddenly grew nervous.  “See here, Rover, let us be friends,” he said abruptly.  “Let us drop the past and be friends-at least, so long as we are so far away from home and in the country of the enemy.”

This sudden change in manner astonished Dick.  Was Crabtree serious?  Certainly the man’s manner would indicate as much.

“Well, I’m willing to let past matters, drop —­ just for the present,” he answered, hardly knowing what to say.  “I wish to pay all my attention to finding my father.”

“Exactly, Richard — and — er — you —­ who is with you?  Anybody I know?”

“Sam and Dick and Alexander Pop.”

“Is it possible!  And that black, how is it be came along?”

“He joined us by accident.  But what of your party?”

“They are a set of rich young students from Yale in their senior year who engaged me to bring them hither for study and — er —­ recreation.  And that puts me in mind.  You will not —­ ahem —­ say anything about the past to them, will you?”

CHAPTER XXIV

JOSIAH CRABTREE MAKES A MOVE

As quick as a flash of lightning Dick saw through Josiah Crabtree’s scheme for, letting matters Of the past drop.  The former teacher of Putnam Hall was afraid the youth would hunt up the college students from Yale and expose him to them.

As a matter of fact, Crabtree was already “on the outs” with two of the students, and he was afraid that if the truth regarding his character became known his present position would be lost to him and he would be cast off to shift for himself.

“You don’t want me to speak to the students under your charge?” said Dick slowly.

“Oh, of course you can speak to them, if you wish.  But I — ahem — - I would not care to —­ er — er —­”

“To let them know what a rascal you are,” finished Dick.  “Crabtree, let me tell you once for all, that you can expect no friendship, from me.  You are not worthy of it.  When I meet those students I will tell them whatever I see fit.”

At these words Josiah Crabtree grew as white as a sheet.  Then, setting his teeth, he suddenly recovered.  “Are those your friends?” he demanded, pointing up the lake shore.

As was perfectly natural, Dick turned to gaze in the direction.  As be did so, Crabtree swung a stick that be carried into the air and brought it down with all force on the youth’s head.  Dick felt a terrific pain, saw a million or more dancing lights flash through his brain-and then be knew no more.

“I guess I’ve fixed him,” muttered the former teacher of Putnam Hall grimly.  He knelt beside the fallen boy and felt of his heart.  “Not dead, but pretty well knocked out.  Now what had I best do with him?”