Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/107

 they may do openly. They are the ones who work in secret."

At this moment Matt Coyle became aware that he and his family were not alone—that there were three interested spectators close at hand; and as if to show Tom that he was mistaken in the opinions to which he had just given expression, Matt rushed toward him as if he meant to annihilate him, followed by all the members of his family, who shook their fists and shouted as if they were very angry indeed. Ralph and Loren shrank back, but Tom, who was nobody's coward, stood his ground, looked squarely into Matt's eyes, and coolly put his hands into his pockets.

"What you standin' here gapin' at?" demanded the squatter, fiercely. He had drawn back his fist with the full intention of striking Tom; but when he saw that the boy did not appear to be at all afraid of him, he thought better of it.

"Why do you come at us in that savage way?" demanded Tom. "We don't scare worth a cent. If you want to get even with any one for the shameful manner in which you