CHAPTER IX.

THE PLOT AGAINST HAL.

Hal Carson was sure that he had just missed a most important statement.

"I wish Ferris had finished what he intended to say," he thought.

He waited breathlessly for the two to go on.

"What makes you so scared?" asked Ferris. "Can anybody hear us here?"

"I think not. Still we want to be careful."

"Yes, but----"

"Not another word on that point, Dick." Hardwick's voice grew stern. "I am a man, while you are a boy, and I know what is best for both of us."

"Well, have your own way."

"I think it will be a wise plan for you to get Carson out of the way. He is altogether too smart a fellow to have around," continued the book-keeper.

"I don't think he looks very smart," sneered Ferris, who could not stand hearing Hal praised.

"He's smarter than you or most people think. That yarn about his being brought up in the poor-house may be true, but I have my doubts."

"Why?" asked Ferris, in high curiosity.

"I can't explain now." There was a brief pause. "Here, take a cigar. Those nasty cigarettes make me sick."

There was the striking of matches, and then another pause.

"Are you going to continue as book-keeper when Allen leaves?" asked Ferris.

"Certainly."

"I thought you were to go with Allen in his new venture."

"I will--later on."

"Has he made any definite plans yet?"

"No."

"The reason I asked is because I want you to put in a word for me."

1. How many people were talking?
2. Who?
3. What did they discuss?
4. Why did they do that?
5. Were they jealous of him?
6. Did they have a plan then?
7. Were they smoking?
8. What?
9. Why?
10. Who kept the books?
1. two
2. Ferris and Dick
3. getting Carson out of the way
4. He is too smart
5. yes
6. No
7. yes
8. cigars
9. cigarettes make dick sick.
10. dick