Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/77

Rh such things. Why don't you have 'em locked up—that is what I'd do!"

"We've got to catch them first."

"Do you mean to say you are trying to do that?"

"We are."

"Well, you catch *em, and if you want me to appear against 'em, I'll do it—and I'll catch 'em myself if I can."

There was a pause, and Nat started for the doorway of the freight room. But Ben still barred the way.

"Nat, don't you think you were rather hasty in accusing Dave?" he asked, bluntly.

"Well—er—maybe I was," answered the money-lender's son, growing a bit red.

"Oh, let it pass," said Dave. "I might have been worked up myself, if I had been in Nat's place."

"Here comes the train—we don't want to miss it," cried the money-lender's son, and he showed that he was glad to close the interview. "Remember, if you catch those fellows, I'll testify against 'em!" he called over his shoulder as he pushed through the doorway.

"The same old Nat, never willing to acknowledge himself in the wrong," was Ben's comment, as he and Dave ran for the car steps. The other boy had lost himself in the waiting crowd and