Page:Fairview Boys and their Rivals.djvu/48

44 nothing about the letters. A few minutes later he saw Frank and Sammy coming down the street.

"I wish I could tell them about Miss Simmons, and see what they think about it," he mused. "I can't do it, though, and keep my word. Hello, fellows, which way?" he hailed, as he came up to his chums.

"We're going up to Mr. Dolby's," said Sammy.

"What for?" asked Bob.

"My uncle told me to go up there and get that watch," explained Frank.

"To have it mended?"

"Yes, he says he'll do it for nothing for us."

"That's good!" cried Bob. "Come on, I'll go with you. What's that, Frank?" he asked, as he saw his friend put a key from his hand into his coat pocket.

"It's an extra key to the jewelry store."

"Are you going to carry one?"

"Oh, no," replied Frank, with a laugh. "My uncle got it made, and I'm to take it to my father, so if he ever wants to get into the store when uncle is away he can do so."

"I see."

"Father has put a lot of money into the business," went on Frank.

"So I heard."

"You see, uncle is a watchmaker, and both thought it would be a good thing to buy out the old jeweler, Jones, who wanted to move to the city."

The boys reached the Dolby house to find it shut up tight and as dismal looking as ever. Frank went up the walk, while his comrades waited at the gate.

Just as he went up the steps there was a rush and a growl, and a savage dog came running up to Frank.

Every boy in Fairview was afraid of the old miser's dog.