CHAPTER X
AN ANGRY PROFESSOR
There was so much whirlwind enthusiasm in the dual announcement by Jack and Ward that, for a moment, Frank and Andy could not get a word in. They motioned their companions to seats and then asked for particulars.
"Are you sure he's here?" demanded Frank.
"Yes, it's been rumored for some time that he was to come, and he's here all right," said Ward.
"Besides I heard Dr. Doolittle call him by his name," added Jack. "And if you could see how happy the poor worried doctor looked it would have been proof enough."
"I hope it is true, and that he does invest about a million in Riverview," spoke Andy. "She needs it," and he gazed out over the neglected athletic fields and toward the ruined boathouse.
"How did it all come about?" Frank wanted to know.
"Well, this millionaire—Mr. Lairman—used to attend school here years ago," explained Jack, who seemed to have all the traditions of Riverview at his tongue's end. "It was a different sort of a place then, and lots of rich men's sons came here. After years had passed, as they say in the novels, Mr. Lairman graduated, went away and amassed a fortune. Notice that word 'amassed.'"
"Some class to you," murmured Frank.
"Go on," urged Andy.
"More years passed," resumed Jack, "and Riverview fell upon dark days. Recently Dr. Doolittle, seeking help, chanced to think of Mr. Lairman. He wrote to him and asked him to take a half interest in the school, which, the doctor said, ought to be made to pay well if rightly managed. Mr. Lairman said he'd come on and investigate. He's here—what's the answer?"
"If he onlydoesinvest," murmured Ward, "it will be the best thing that could happen. I say, let's talk all about it."
"Not now," said Frank quickly.
"Why not?"
"Andy and I have to go out. Don't say anything about it, but we're going to cut. Thorny is away and it's safe."
"Got a date?" asked Jack.
"Sort of," admitted the elder Racer lad. "Don't think we're putting you out, but we've got to tog up."
"Girls! I knew it!" cried Ward. "Come on, Jack. Let's go where we're appreciated."
"Don't think we're not glad about the news," went on Frank, "but this is something important and it won't keep."
"That's all right," spoke Jack good-naturedly. "We know how it is. Get on your pink neckties and scoot. We'll see you again."
Frank and Andy began to make a hasty change in their attire as soon as the door closed.
"I hope we're not too late," murmured Frank. "I want to get there before Old Thorny does."
"Did you get an invite?" asked Andy, struggling with a new necktie in a stiff collar. "Does she know you are coming?"
"No, but the last time I saw Gertrude she invited me to call, though she didn't set any time. It's time now, though, so it will be all right. I want to get ahead of him, and I'll tell Mrs. Morton that she needn't worry about those bonds, for dad will make them all right."
"How do you know he will?"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure. Anyhow, if he doesn't, I've got some money of my own. I didn't spend all we got from the whale."
"Me either. Say, but you're getting in deep, though. But I'm with you, and if you need any cash—just call on me. I'd do a good bit to get ahead of Old Thorny. But what do you think of the news Jack and Ward brought?"
"About the millionaire? I only hope it's true. It's about time something was done for Riverview. Well, I'm ready. Come on."
"Do I look all right?" Andy asked anxiously.
"Sure, but what do you care?"
"Oh, I thought you said that——"
"Oh ho! I see! Well, maybe Grace will be there. Come on."
It was but a short ride to Dailsburg on the trolley from Riverview, and on the way Frank and Andy kept a sharp watch for Professor Callum. But he was either ahead of or behind them. The latter, Frank hoped.
Frank's ring at the bell of the Morton home was answered by Gertrude in person. Her face, which bore a worried expression, lighted up at the sight of him.
"Oh, I'm very glad to see you!" she exclaimed. "Come in."
"Andy is here too," said Frank, with a little laugh.
"That's nice. Grace Knox is calling on me. You met her, I believe."
"Yes, but, Miss Gertrude, is your mother in? I called partly on business."
"She is in, but she has a caller now. Professor Callum is in the parlor." The boys could hear the rumbling of his crabbed voice.
"Then I'm too late!" said Frank quickly.
"Too late? What do you mean?" asked Gertrude.
"I heard him talking to one of the other teachers to-day," said Frank, "and I guessed that he was coming here. I want to tell your mother that I'm going to have my father take up the matter of the bonds or stocks at once. I know he can get her some money for them so she won't have to worry any more about not being able to pay Old Thorn—I mean Mr. Callum. I hurried here hoping to get ahead of him, so she wouldn't be insulted by him. She could tell him that arrangements were being made to sell the bonds."
"But are you sure of this?" asked Gertrude, a look of hope coming into her face. "We have been so often disappointed, though we are sure the bonds are perfectly good. I would not want to raise false hopes."
"I am sure the bonds are good!" agreed Frank, "and I am sure we can get money for them. Andy and I know something about finance."
"That's right," said the younger brother with a wise nod of his head.
"Oh, I'm so glad!" exclaimed the girl. "I'll tell mamma at once. I wish you had gotten here before he did," and she nodded in the direction of the parlor, "as I know mamma is very much distressed about the matter, and this interview is sure to give her a headache. Mr. Callum, in his usual rough way, made a demand for the money at once. He even threatened to sell our little home if we didn't pay. I'm going to see if I can get a chance to tell mamma. Come in, I'll take you to Grace, and she can entertain you until I come back."
Andy blushed when presented to the pretty companion of their young hostess, but he soon recovered his usual spirits and gave a laughable account of a joke he had played at school that day. The young people were getting on well together when Gertrude entered the dining-room, followed by her mother.
"Oh, do you think there is really a chance?" asked Mrs. Morton, when Frank and Andy had been introduced, and the elder lad had explained his project.
"I am pretty sure," he answered. "If you will let me see the bonds I will write my father about them."
The securities which Mrs. Morton brought out, explaining that she had excused herself from the professor for a time, proved to be in a well-known industrial concern that, while it manufactured a good product, yet had been in hard luck of late.
"I believe those will prove valuable sooner or later," said Frank. "I'll write to father at once. Meanwhile you might tell Professor Callum that he will soon get his money."
"Oh, I am so glad!" she exclaimed gratefully. "I cannot thank you enough." She hurried back into the room, whence soon came the protesting voice of the crabbed instructor. Mrs. Morton could be heard reassuring him. The young people were gaily talking.
Suddenly the door of the parlor opened and the professor came out, followed by Gertrude's mother.
"It is of no use!" the man exclaimed. "I will take no more promises. I came here to-night determined to get the money, and I will have it. Unless it is paid shortly I shall take means to levy on this property and have it sold at auction to satisfy my claim. You said you have been told that the bonds are good. But why don't you tell me who says this? Why are you so secretive about it?"
Frank had thought it best not to have Mrs. Morton mention his father's name in the matter as yet.
"Why don't you tell me who says the bonds are good?" demanded Mr. Callum.
"I am not allowed to—just yet."
"Humph! I thought so. It's all bosh. I——"
Just then the angry professor caught sight of Frank and Andy. The expression of his face, when he saw two of his students whom he supposed safe in their dormitories, now several miles away, can well be imagined. His jaw dropped and his eyes opened wide.
"What! You—you here?" he gasped. "How dare you?"
"I don't see why we dare not call on our friends," said Frank coolly.
"You dare to leave the school grounds after hours!" stormed the professor. "You shall be severely punished for this! I have been suspecting you Racer boys for some time, and now I have caught you. You shall suffer for this. Where's my hat? I am going back to Riverview at once to report you!"
He strode out of the room, while Frank and Andy gazed blankly at each other.