Dave Darrin stopped where he was, and began to laugh. Tom Reade
quickly joined in. The others were grinning.

"Oh, say, just for one look at Prin.'s face, if we can spring
that job on him!" chuckled Harry Hazelton.

"We can," announced Dick, gravely. "So go home and enjoy your
dinners, fellows. If you want to meet on the same old corner
on Main Street, at half-past two to-day, we'll go in a body to
'The Blade' office and learn what Mr. Pollock has to say about
our credit."

"_Your_ credit, you mean," corrected Dave.

After dinner Dick & Co. met as agreed. Arrived at "The Blade"
office it was decided that Dick Prescott should go in alone to
carry on the negotiation. He soon came out again, wearing a satisfied
smile and carrying a package under one arm.

"If I'm any good at guessing," suggested Dave, "you put the deal
over."

"Mr. Pollock agreed, all right," nodded Dick. "I have fourteen
dollars here. He'll let us have the rest to-morrow."

They hurried back to Dick's room, over the bookstore that was
run by Mr. and Mrs. Prescott.

"Whew, but this stuff is heavy," muttered Dick, dumping the package