Page:The Rover Boys at School.djvu/193

Rh "If you was helping him, how is it that Sam and I saw you taking a roll of bills from, him down at the tavern?"

Again Baxter started. "You didn't see no such thing! " he roared, regardless of his grammar. "I&mdash;that is&mdash;he gave me some change, that is all. Here are the books I bought," and he pointed to a package he had been carrying.

"It's a made-up story," retorted Tom. "He gave you money, and my opinion is that that man is your father, and that he is no better than the man with whom he associates."

The words had scarcely left Tom's lips than Baxter leaped upon him like an enraged animal and hurled him to the floor. "I've a good mind to&mdash;to kill you for that, Rover!" he hissed. "Take it back, or I'll choke you to death!" and his strong hand sought Tom's throat.

"Will you!" came in a gasp, and now Tom turned over and threw the bully to one side. "I guess two can play at this game. Take that!" and he struck Baxter a heavy blow on the side of the face. In a moment they had clinched and were trying their best to throw each other.

Suddenly came a rattle of the door knob. "Boys! boys! what does this mean?" It was George Strong's voice. "Open the door instantly."