CHAPTER VII 

PHIL AND BEN MAKE A MOVE So far Dave and Nat Poole had not met face to face. Our hero had seen the money-lender's son a number of times, but Nat had always been with some of his cronies and had, apparently, not taken any notice. 

But on the morning following the conversation just recorded, the pair came face to face in one of the narrow hallways. 

"Good-morning, Nat," said Dave, pleasantly. 

"Morning," grumbled the other student. He was about to pass Dave, but suddenly changed his mind. "So you got back, eh?" 

"Yes, I've been back several days." 

"I heard that Link Merwell got away from you?" 

"That is true." 

"Humph! If I had the chance to nab him that you had, I'd not let him get away." 

"We held Jasniff." 

"Maybe you let Merwell go on purpose," continued the money-lender's son, shrewdly. 

"Not at all, Nat. He gave us the slip, clean and clear." 

"Humph!" Nat paused for a moment. "I got word from my dad that you almost smashed him up on the road with your auto." 

"Hardly as bad as that." 

"He is going to make your uncle pay for the damage done." 

"It wasn't much." 

"It was enough. You want to be more careful with your car after this. You auto fellows seem to think you own the whole road." 

"What about your motor-boat, Nat?" asked Dave. He remembered how the money-lender's son had played more than one mean trick while running the craft. 
What would the younger Poole have done with Link?
Humph! If I had the chance to nab him that you had, I'd not let him get away."