THE ENEMY RUNS AWAY
In a very few minutes Dave and his chums were on the way to find Merwell
and Jasniff. As the party walked along Hooker Montgomery told more about
his dealings with the rascally students. It was plain to Dave that the
so-styled doctor had been nothing but a weak tool, and in a way the
youth had to pity the poor wretch whom dissipation had so dragged down.
In less than five minutes the party arrived at a small residence set
well back in a garden. The walk was unshoveled, and they had to pick
their way through the snow. When they rang the doorbell a tall, thin
elderly woman answered their summons.
"Good-evening, Mrs. Slater," said Hooker Montgomery. "I'd like to see
Mr. Merwell and Mr. Jasniff."
"They have gone," was the sharp answer, and Mrs. Slater looked as if she
wished to shut the door in the faces of the callers.
"When will they be back?"
"They won't be back."
"Will you kindly tell me where they have gone?" questioned Dave.
"Who are you?" And the woman eyed Dave suspiciously.
"My name is David Porter, and I wish to see Merwell and Jasniff very
much."
"Porter! Then you must be that young villain Link told me about--the one
who made so much trouble for him out on the ranch!" exclaimed Mrs.
Slater. "Well, you can't see Link, or his friend. They have gone, and
they won't be back."
"Have they gone to Rockville Academy?"
"You can find that out for yourself!" cried Mrs. Slater, and then
slammed the door shut, and locked it.
"Very accommodating lady, I must say!" murmured Phil, sarcastically.
"Very essence of politeness," added Roger.
"Well, if they have gone, there is no use of our staying here," declared
Dave. "Come on." And he led the way back to the hotel. Here they had
another talk with Hooker Montgomery.
"If you'll promise not to prosecute me I'll appear against Merwell and
Jasniff any time you want me," said the so-called doctor. And there the
matter rested; and the boys went back to join their companions and help
to make way with the generous supper that was awaiting the whole party.
"What place do you suppose Merwell and Jasniff were going to rob?" asked
Roger of Dave, on the way back to Oak Hall.
"I am sure I don't know, Roger. Montgomery didn't say. More than likely
those rascals didn't tell him."
"What are you going to do next, go up to Rockville after Link and Nick?"
"I've been thinking I'd go up there early next Saturday, before the
hockey game. Want to go along?"
"Certainly, if you wish it. I guess Phil will go, too--if you ask him."
"I'll do it. I don't think I can manage the two alone."
"Going to have them arrested?"
"That depends on how they act. One thing is certain, I am not going to
stand for any more of their underhanded work," answered Dave, grimly.
The day of the game dawned clear and bright. The contest was scheduled
for three o'clock, and Dave, Phil, and Roger got permission to go to
Rockville in the morning. They said they would meet their fellow-players
on the river later.
Arriving at Rockville, the three chums put up at the hotel, where they
rested from the long skate, and then had dinner. Then they started in
the direction of the military school.
The street on which they were walking ran past the railroad station, and
as they passed the platform Roger happened to look at the people
assembled, waiting for a train. He gave a shout:
"There is Merwell now!"
"Where?" asked Dave and Phil.
"Just went into the waiting-room."
The three lads quickened their pace and hurried into the waiting-room.
They saw Merwell and Jasniff at the ticket window, just picking up some
tickets and change.
"I want to see you fellows," said Dave, coldly, and placed a hand on a
shoulder of each of the rascals.
Merwell and Jasniff wheeled around, and the face of each turned pale.
"Wha--what do you want, Porter?" stammered Merwell.
"Ah, don't talk to him," blustered Jasniff. "Let go of me!" And he tore
himself loose.
"Jasniff, you've got to talk to me," answered Dave. "If you won't talk
I'll call an officer."
"Don't you do that!" cried Merwell, in increased alarm. "You let me go!
It's a--a--mistake! I haven't done anything!" And he commenced to back
towards the door.
"Merwell, you and Jasniff played me a dirty trick!" declared Dave. "I
don't know whether to have you arrested or to take it out of you. I gave
you a sound thrashing once, but it doesn't seem to have done you much
good."
"You--you let me alone, Porter!"
"Where are you going?" asked Roger.
"Don't you tell them!" burst out Jasniff, quickly. "It's none of their
business!" And he looked knowingly at Merwell.
"I guess I had better call an officer," suggested Phil, just by way of
intimidating the rascally students.
"No--no--don't do it!" cried Link Merwell. "Come on, Nick, there is the
train!"
He leaped past the others, and out of a back door of the station. As
Dave, Phil, and Roger went after him, Jasniff went out of the front
door.
A train had come to a stop, and a number of passengers were getting off
and on. Link Merwell darted into the midst of the crowd, and mounting
one of the platforms, entered the car.
"Going after him?" asked Phil.
"No. What's the use?"
"Where is Jasniff?" asked Roger.
"There he goes!" cried Dave, and pointed to the end of the train, which
the student named had just boarded.
The train was now moving, and as it swept by, the three lads on the
platform saw Link Merwell peer anxiously out of a window at them. Then,
as the last car rolled by, they beheld Nick Jasniff in the doorway. He
shook his fist at them.
"Just wait, Dave Porter!" he yelled, defiantly. "Just wait, that's all!"
And then the train disappeared swiftly from view.
"Wonder if they are running away from the academy?" came from Phil.
"It looks like it to me," answered Dave. "I guess they are pretty badly
scared. Maybe they know that Doctor Montgomery had turned against them."
"Well, if they only stay away it won't be so bad," said the senator's
son.
"I might telegraph ahead and have them held," said Dave. "But I guess it
isn't worth while."
"Do you know what I think?" said Phil. "I think they were at that Mrs.
Slater's house the night we called, and what we said scared them." And
in this surmise Phil was correct.
An hour later found the three chums down on the river, where they were
met by the other members of the hockey team. A great crowd was
assembling, and in the number were Vera Rockwell, Mary Feversham, and a
number of other people they knew.
The boys from Oak Hall had come in sleighs and on skates, and they had
brought their horns, rattles, and banners with them. The Rockville
cadets were also alive to the occasion, and the combined din from both
sides was deafening.
"Here is where we do up Oak Hall!"
"Here is where Rockville gets another defeat!"
"Remember, this is for the championship of the Leming River!"
So the cries rang on, drowned ever and anon by the tooting of horns and
the clacking of rattles. Soon came a short practice, and then the two
sevens lined up for the great contest.
At a glance it was easy to see that the Rockville team was a fine one.
Every player was tall and thin, and an exceptionally swift skater. They
had been well drilled into team work, and sent the puck from one player
to another in a manner that brought forth many favorable comments.
"We sure have our work cut out for us!" whispered Ben to Dave. "They are
the swiftest bunch I have yet seen on skates."
"And their captain is certainly a star," added Shadow. "I never saw a
fellow turn quicker or send the puck with more force."
"We've got to fight and fight hard!" cried Dave. "I want every fellow on
the job, first, last, and all the time!"