ad come away. Now Sadler had discovered that marked
cards were in use at the place he had visited, and he was satisfied that
he had been swindled, if not in all the games at least in some of them.

"Well, we did him up, that's certain," said Blodgett, with a coarse
laugh. "But I don't want him to learn the truth if it can be helped."

"No, we want to keep him in the dark--hold him down like that
boarding-school chap here," chuckled Volney.

"Never mind about that," said Blodgett, sharply.

"Got somebody else on the string here, eh?" observed Crandall. "You
always were the boys to keep things moving."

"Oh, this is only a small affair--mere pocket money," answered Blodgett.

At this point the conversation changed, and it came out that Crandall
was out of money and wanted a loan of fifty dollars.

"We can't give it to you now," said Volney. "But wait till to-night and
I'll let you have ten dollars."

"And I'll let you have the same," said Blodgett. "We've got to collect a
trifle first."

"All right. Twenty is little enough, but it will tide me over until I
hit my streak again," answered Crandall. And after a little more talk
the men arose and prepared to separate.

"We've heard enough," whispered Dave to Gus Plum. "Come on," and he led
the way out of the building and down the alley.

"What do you think?" demanded the former bully, when they were on the
street again.

"Just as I suspected, Blodgett and Volney are nothing but sharpers. They
undoubtedly swindled you. I shouldn't pay them a cent."

"But they may expose me to the doctor, Dave."

"I don't think they will--not after you talk to them."

"I hardly know what to say."

"Then suppose you let me do the talking, Gus?"

"You?"

"Yes, I fancy I know how to handle them," answered Dave, confidently.

"Well, I don't want to get into any hole," said the big boy, doubtfully.

"You won't get into any hole. When I get through with them, I'm sure
they will be only too glad to leave you alone."

The two boys talked the matter over, and at last Gus Plum agreed to let
Dave conduct the affair as he thought best. Then both walked to the
Oakdale depot, there to await the arrival of the two swindlers.

CHAPTER IX

DAVE TALKS TO THE POINT

It was not long before Blodgett and Volney put in an appearance. They
had had several glasses of liquor at the tavern, and walked along as if
very well satisfied with themselves.

"So you are here," said Blodgett