Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/268

246 "I should like to see Macklin's handwriting."

"Oh! Well, here is a composition he just handed in," and then the teacher turned away, for he was busy.

Dave compared the composition with the odd bits of paper and at once reached the conclusion that both had been written by the sneak of the school. He handed the composition back to the teacher, and hurried away. Outside he asked for Macklin, and learned that the boy was up in his dormitory. Going up he found the sneak and Gus Plum together, and both talking earnestly.

"What do you want here?" demanded Plum, sourly, as Dave entered.

"I want to talk to Macklin, Plum. Can I see you alone?" he asked of the sneak.

"What do you want?" was Macklin's question, in alarm.

"I guess you know well enough. Do you want to see me alone or not?"

"I—I don't want to see you at all, Porter," faltered the sneak.

"What do you want of him?" demanded the bully, arising and confronting Dave.

"That is my business, not yours, Plum."

"Macklin is under my protection. If you have anything to say, say it in front of me."

"Do you want me to do that?" asked Dave, of the sneak.