Page:The Young Auctioneers.djvu/282

266 in Bethlehem, and how the folks of that town regarded your doings there," he went on pointedly.

"What—what do you mean?" stammered Gissem, taken by surprise.

"I mean just what I infer. We know how people there were swindled, and we know how anxious some of them are to lay hands on a certain firm of auctioneers."

"Have a care, boy, or I'll—I'll"

"What will you do?"

"Never mind; you'll see fast enough."

"You cannot bully me. Now that you have taken the trouble to come in here, let me tell you something. You just cast several reflections upon our characters. That has got to be stopped."

"Humph! Why, you are but a boy and dare talk to me."

"Never mind, he knows what he is saying," put in Andy. "We are not to be mistreated by rivals or by any one else."

"Don't talk to me!" snapped Gissem, and unable to keep up the talk with credit to himself, he fled from the store.

"I don't think he will dare to bother us again," said Andy. "He is too much afraid to have his past record raked up."

Andy went off to dinner, leaving Matt in sole