Part 35 (2/2)
”With Professor Dimp--yes,” said Mother Wit, bravely.
”Professor Dimp has his own actions to answer for,” said Jess' mother, gravely. ”But I am quite sure your mother would not approve of your trying to help such a character as this young man seems to be.”
”Wait a minute, Mrs. Morse,” cried Laura. ”Here come Chet and the boys.”
”The boys!” chorused the other girls.
”What has your brother to do with this affair?” asked Mrs. Morse, wonderingly.
”I saw Chet wig-wagging a little while ago, and I answered and read his message. He is bringing over a gentleman from Albany--a lawyer--to see Professor Dimp and the young man who has been in hiding so long. I think something important is going to happen,” said Laura, complacently. ”Do let the Barnacle keep the sheriff up in that tree for a little while longer.”
CHAPTER XXV
”QUITE ALL RIGHT”
One amazing thing was happening after another. The girls of Central High could scarcely keep up with the several happenings. On top of Laura's statement the platform before the cook-tent heaved mightily, and a man's head and shoulders appeared.
Lil shrieked again. Even Mrs. Morse stepped back in surprise. The young man continued to push his way out, and finally climbed to his feet.
It was the same young man who had appeared on the bank of Bang-up Creek and saved Short and Long from the farmer's dog. His very good looking hunting suit was now sadly torn and wrinkled. He was without a hat. There was a scratch upon his face that had drawn blood, and he was altogether rather messy looking.
He bowed gravely to Mrs. Morse. ”I see,” he said, ”that this young lady,” and he looked at Laura, ”knows who I am. And further introduction would be unnecessary.”
”Ye--yes?” said Mrs. Morse, rather doubtfully.
”I pray that you will not blame Lizzie Bean. She would sacrifice herself for my safety; but I could hardly allow her to do that, don't you know? I had an idea that that sheriff would really not come to this camp, and I could get away again after dark.”
Lil had given over any intention of screaming again. She was examining the scratched face of the strange young man with growing approval.
”Isn't he romantic looking?” she whispered to Nellie.
”Poor fellow,” sighed the doctor's daughter. ”He _doesn't_ look wicked, does he?”
”He's a regular heart-breaker when he's dolled up, I bet,” giggled Bobby.
”It's too bad!” murmured the Lockwood twins, in unison.
Thus did the appearance of the young man, Mr. Norman Halliday, tell upon the covey of frightened girls. Mrs. Morse herself began to recover from her disturbance of mind. _This_ was no criminal character, for sure!
Suddenly the sheriff in the tree set up a bellow: ”That's the feller I want! That's him! Don't you let him escape----”
”Why don't you come down and take him?” demanded Bobby, wickedly.
But immediately the Barnacle began leaping under the tree and barking and Sheriff Larkin climbed higher.
”You see, the police want me,” explained the young man, simply.
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