ike first-rate to go with you."

"I'd like very much to have you, Roger. But how could you get away?"

"Oh, I think I could manage that. My mother thinks I am pushing ahead
almost too fast in my studies--the doctor said I was growing too fast
and studying too much at the same time. I think she'd be willing for me
to take the trip,--and what she says, father always agrees to."

"Where are your folks--in Washington?"

"Yes, they stay at a hotel there during the time Congress is in
session."

"Well, I will have to see what my uncle says before I make any move,"
said Dave; and there the talk came to an end.

Gus Plum had written to the men to whom he owed his gambling debt, and
they agreed to meet him at the Oakdale depot on Saturday afternoon at
four o'clock. They wrote that if he did not pay up at that time in full
they would expose him.

"I believe they are bluffing," said Dave, after he heard of this. "They
will not expose you so long as they think there is any chance of getting
more money from you. I wish you could prove that you had been
swindled,--then you wouldn't have to pay them a cent."

"Well, I can't prove that--although I think it," answered the former
bully, with a long sigh.

Saturday noon it began to snow, so that the majority of the students
remained indoors or spent the time over at the gymnasium. Dave excused
himself to his chums and met Gus Plum at a spot agreed upon, and both
set off for Oakdale on foot.

"I suppose I might have asked the doctor for a cutter," said Plum. "But
I was afraid he might ask embarrassing questions."

"We can walk it easily enough," answered Dave. "The road is
well-broken."

"Dave, you are putting yourself out a good deal for me," answered Plum,
gratefully. "Somehow, I'd hate to meet those men alone."

"They must be scamps, or they wouldn't try to lead a student like you
astray."

On and on the two boys went, past several places which were familiar to
them. The snow did not bother them much, and before long they reached
the outskirts of the village.

"There are the two men now!" cried Gus Plum, and pointed across the way.

"They are not going to the depot," answered Dave. "They are turning down
Main Street. Supposing we follow them, Gus?"

"I'm willing, but I don't see what good it will do."

"Well, it won't do any harm."

The two men were burly individuals who had evidently seen better days.
Each was shabbily dressed and each had a nose that was suspic