n
brought along. Some folks cheered them in return, and just as they were
leaving the town where the military academy was located, some cadets
rushed from around a corner and pelted them with snowballs.

"Never mind!" yelled Roger, as he dodged. "You'll get yours next
Saturday!"

It was dark by the time Hopperville was reached and all of the boys were
glad enough to jump out of the sleigh and go into the hotel to warm up
before sitting down to supper. The horses and the turnout were taken
around to the stables.

The hotel was located on a corner, and across the side street was
another hotel--a resort that did not bear a particularly good
reputation. It had a bar attached to it, and it was whispered that
sporty men often went to the resort to gamble.

The reading-room of one hotel faced the other, and as Dave, Roger, and
Phil entered one apartment they noticed that the one across the way was
lit up, and that the window curtains had not been lowered. Then Dave
gave a sudden cry of surprise.

"Look at that man over there, Phil!"

"Why, it is Doctor Montgomery!" answered the shipowner's son.

"Montgomery!" cried Roger. "I thought he had cleared out from these
parts."

"I am going over to talk to him," said Dave.

"Want us to go along?" came from both of the others.

"You might as well."

"Say, why don't you scare him?" suggested Phil. "If you do that, you may
get him to tell all about the plot against you."

"Oh, I'll do that--don't fear," answered Dave.

As supper would not be ready for half an hour, the three lads excused
themselves, and hurried across the street. They found Hooker Montgomery
still alone, reading a sensational newspaper.

"Well, doctor, how are you?" said Dave, coolly, as he dropped in a chair
beside the so-styled physician.

"Why--ah--who--ahem!--where did you come from?" stammered Hooker
Montgomery. He was so taken back that he knew not what to say. He had
not dreamed that Dave and his chums would visit Hopperville, which was
somewhat out of the regular line of travel.

"I guess you didn't think I'd find you," continued Dave.

"Were you--ahem!--looking for me?" asked the doctor, weakly. And now the
boys noticed that he looked more dissipated than ever, and that his
garments were decidedly shabby.

"See here, Doctor Montgomery, I am not going to beat around the bush
with you," said Dave, sternly. "You played me a mean trick, and you know
that I can put you in prison for it."

"W