Part 2 (1/2)
”That's because you use so many more of them than the rest of us,”
explained Donald
”Why, I don't use any more of them than you do,” expostulated Pepper ”Well, maybe you don't use any more,” admitted Don with a judicial air, ”but you use them more”
Pepper was about to retort in kind when there was a quick step outside the door and an alert-looking, brown-haired, brown-eyed boy, with his cap perched upon the back of his head, dashed into the roooing to get here in tiical ry as a bull pup”
”hello, Jack!” responded Rand, ”we began to think you weren't co What's the latest in Creston?”
”Oh, there is so a box up to the plank that served as a table ”Passa few, so I can eat while I talk”
”Better not try it, Jack,” cautioned Rand, ”for if you eat as fast as you talk or talk as fast as you eat you will either starve yourself or choke”
”All right,” laughed Jack, ”if that is the case I'll eat first and talk afterwards,” and this he would do, notwithstanding the pleadings of the others, anxious to share in any exciting news
CHAPTER III
TWO AND TWO
While the boys are finishi+ng their breakfast it may be well to introduce the their acquaintances as the ”inseparables,” had been classmates for several terraduated the previous year and were now students of the Hilltop Acadee
Rand--Randolph in full, surnahtly the eldest of the four, was the nephew of Mr Scott, president of the Creston National Bank He was a native of Virginia, having come to Creston after the death of his father some two years before this tiht, but inclined to be indolent, except when aroused, when his energy knew no li the soft Southern draith a tendency to slur his r's, and was a natural leader a his companions, both in their sports and their studies
Donald Graeme, soineer of the Creston Paper Mills, and one of a considerable fairls He was of Scotch descent and inherited many of the characteristics of his ancestry as well asto his tongue, and he was given to the occasional use of a Scotch word or phrase He had also the Scotch canniness and never coh not as quick as Rand, he wasthat he entered upon
Jack Blake was the oldest son of Mr Blake, editor and publisher of the Crest, the newspaper of the town Brought up in the newspaper atmosphere, Jack had early developed a nose for news and was the best reporter, although unofficial, on the paper He was always on the lookout for iteether, so results
Lastly, Pepper Blake, Jack's younger brother, as of a quicker, iven to sta when excited I into difficulties, but always finding a way out Roinative, but with a streak of hard horse-sense beneath
”Well,” observed Rand, when Jack at last rose fro thing you have got to tell us this e Taylor's office was robbed last night,” replied Jack laconically
”What's that!” cried Rand
”Judge Taylor's office was robbed last night,” repeated Jack, enjoying the sensation his news had made
”W-hat!” stammered Pepper ”Who did it?”
”That's e all want to know,” answered Jack
”What did they get?” asked Donald
”How did they get in?” went on Pepper
”One at a time, boys,” put in Rand ”Come, Jack, tell us the whole story”