CHAPTER VII 

IN WHICH DAVE IS ROBBED 

Dave found himself in a decidedly unpleasant situation. The door of the room was locked and Tom Shocker stood against it. The man lit the gas, but allowed it to remain low. Dave saw Nat Poole standing close to a bed. The money-lender's son had a small bottle and some cotton in his hand. 

"I suppose this is a trick?" said Dave, as coolly as he could. 

"Rather good one, too, isn't it?" returned Nat, lightly. 

"That depends on how you look at it, Nat. Did you forge Mr. Dale's name?" 

"Why--er--I--er----" 

"That isn't a nice business to be in." 

"Humph! you needn't preach to me, Dave Porter! You played a dirty trick on me and I am going to pay you back." 

"What are you going to do?" 

"You'll see soon enough." 

"I want you to open that door!" cried Dave, wheeling around and confronting Tom Shocker. "Open it at once!" 

"This is none of my affair, Mr. Porter," answered the man, with a slight sneer. "You can settle it with Mr. Poole." 

"I'll settle with you, you rascal!" cried Dave, and leaping forward he caught Tom Shocker by the shoulder and forced him aside. "Give me that key!" 

"Don't you do it!" cried Nat. "Here, wait, I'll fix him! Hold him!" 

Nat poured some of the stuff in the bottle on the cotton and advanced on Dave. At the same time Tom Shocker caught Dave by both arms and essayed to hold him. 
Who ended up constraining Dave by the arms?
At the same time Tom Shocker caught Dave by both arms a