't working for a living," remarked Dave. "And to
think that he told me he was going to reform!"

"That sort of a chap doesn't reform," asserted Roger.

"Oh, I don't know. Gus Plum reformed."

"Yes, but Plum isn't like Merwell, or Jasniff. He was simply
overbearing. These other fellows are downright dishonest."

The four boys walked back to the automobile, and soon they were
returning to the hotel at which Bert was staying. By that time it was
close to the lunch hour and so the visitors were invited to stay over
for something to eat.

"Didn't catch that man Haskers, eh?" remarked Mr. Passmore, as he came
up, in company with Mr. Fordham.

"No, he ran away," answered Roger, and then he and the others told of
what had occurred.

"I am very thankful to you for saving me from a bad investment," said
Mr. Fordham. "I shall not forget it." And he kept his word, for later
on, after he had consulted with his son and found out just how worthless
was the stock in the Sunset Milling Company, he sent each of the boys a
fine pair of gold cuff-links.

After lunch the lads remained with Bert for about an hour and then took
their departure for Roger's home, where they arrived some time before
dark. As they rolled up the driveway a surprise awaited them.

"Look who's here!" exclaimed Dave. "Hello there, Luke!"

"Hello yourself," answered Luke Watson, with a broad grin. "I thought
you chaps would be along soon."

"And Shadow!" cried Roger, as another form came into view, from the Morr
piazza. "This is a surprise! I didn't expect to see you quite so soon."

"Oh, we hadn't anything special to do, so we came ahead," answered Luke.
"Hope it won't put you out?"

"Not at all, glad you are here." There was a general handshaking, for
the automobile had now come to a stop and the boys had piled out to
greet their former schoolmates.

"Say, that puts me in mind of a story!" burst out Shadow Hamilton. "A
fellow made a date with a girl for six o'clock. Well, at five----"

"Wow!"

"Shadow is onto the game already!"

"Say, Shadow, give us a chance to say how-do-you-do first, won't you?"

"I believe Shadow would try to tell a story if he was going to a
funeral."

"Oh, say!" burst out the former story-teller of Oak Hall. "That puts me
in mind of another. Two Irishmen went to a funeral and----"

"Shut him off!"

"Put a popcorn ball in his mouth!"

"Make him apologize on the spot!"

At once the four others surrounded the would-b