Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/266

 I’ll pass out a-hoping that someone will be brought to book for the murder.”

“It won’t be discovered as a murder,” sighed the professor. “Word will come that you were caught by a tree, or some such report. If I were you I’d wait till Noisy Charlie comes along and then make the trip without the boys.”

“No,” said Abner firmly, “I won’t have it appear I’m afraid to go up there alone. I start after dinner, but the younkers must return to the mills.”

“Which the younkers most positively will not do, Mr. Whitten, humbly begging your pardon for overhearing your remarks,” broke in Stanley’s resolute voice.

“Which remarks ought to make you feel ashamed to look us in the face, Mister Whitten,” angrily added Bub’s voice.

“See here! Who’s boss ’round here? Me or two young varmints that come a snooping ’round and listening to their elders’ private talk?” fumed Abner.

“It will do no good to find fault with us,” gently replied Stanley.

“It won’t, eh?” blustered Abner. “Wal, We’ll see. When folks come a-spying ’round—”