"Hello!" muttered Ripley in a voice just loud enough to carry,
as he stood looking at Dick and Dave. "I thought I saw, out in
the grounds, a sign that read: 'No tramps, beggars or peddlers
allowed on these grounds or in the hotel.'"

Dick's fingers trembled so that he dropped the pen, though he
tried to conceal his feelings.

Dave Darrin's fists clenched tightly, though he had the good sense
to realize that to start a fight in the parlor was out of the
question.

Ripley's remark had been loud enough to attract the attention
of nearly every person in the big room toward Dick and Dave.




CHAPTER XII

SUSIE DISCOMFITS A BOOR


Laura Bentley bit her lips. She flushed, then started to rise,
but Susie Sharp gently pushed her back into her seat, then crossed
to an electric button in the frame of a window.

A bell-boy promptly answered Susie's ring.

"Will you kindly ask the manager to come here at once?" asked