k,
without raising his voice because he did not wish to have any outsider
hear. "You took the trouble a while ago to stop at Clearwater Hall and
speak to some of the young ladies attending that school."

"Well, what of it? Haven't we got a right to do that if we want to?"

"I guess we can speak to our lady friends any time we feel like it,"
added Nappy.

"Both of you know very well that none of those young ladies want
anything to do with you," continued Jack. "You've had your warning
before. Now I want you to leave them alone."

"Huh! you talk as if you were our master," growled Slugger, an ugly
look coming into his eyes.

"Never mind how I talk, Brown. You just listen to what I'm saying, and
you mind me. If you don't, you'll get into a whole lot of trouble,
just as sure as you are born."

By this time Fred had also left the forward car and was standing
beside Jack.

"You fellows asked about my sister and about Jack's sister," said
Fred. "Why did you do that?"

"That's our business," answered Nappy.

"I know why you did it," went on Fred quickly. "You did it because you
thought you might make some sort of trouble for the girls. I know you!
Jack," he continued, turning to his cousin, "I think the best thing we
can do is to have them both arrested for that affair on Snowshoe
Island."

"You can't bring up those old things--they are past and gone!" cried
Nappy Martell, his face showing sudden uneasiness. "Old Barney
Stevenson agreed to let the whole matter drop provided he was allowed
to remain on the island."

"Oh, he's only bluffing, Nappy," broke in Slugger. "They can't do a
thing, and they know it!"

"We can and we will unless you leave all the girls at Clearwater Hall
alone," declared Jack stoutly. "Not a one of them wants anything to do
with you."

"How do you know what they want?"

"Because they told us."

"I don't believe it, Rover."

"You can suit yourself about that, Brown. But just you remember this:
If you or Martell attempt to do anything in the future to annoy my
relatives or any of our girl friends at that school, I'll see to it
that you are punished, and punished heavily."

"Say, do you know what I think?" cried Andy, who had come to the rear
of the front car. "I think we ought to give them both a good licking."

"It might do them both good," answered his twin.

"I don't see how you fellows can show yourselves around here,"
remarked Frank Newberry. "After the way you acted at Colby