"I think I see a way of clearing this matter up--if Mr. Poole attempts to act against Dave," said Mr. Wadsworth. And then he had a long talk with Professor Potts. The folks at the mansion had just finished dinner when visitors were announced. They proved to be Aaron Poole and an officer of the law, brought along to arrest Dave. "I think you had better let me engineer this affair," said Mr. Wadsworth, and so it was agreed. He entered the reception room and shook hands formally with Aaron Poole. "I came to get Dave Porter," said the money-lender, stiffly. "I am going to have him locked up." "Mr. Poole, will you kindly step into the library with me?" answered Mr. Wadsworth. "What for?" "I wish to have a little conversation with you." "It won't do any good. I'm going to have that Porter boy arrested, and that is all there is to it." "I wished to see you about your son, Nat. Do you know that he stands in danger of arrest?" "Arrest! Nat?" queried the money-lender, and the officer of the law looked at the rich manufacturer with interest. "Yes. Come into the library, please." "Want me?" asked the officer. "No," returned Mr. Wadsworth, shortly, and the man settled back in his chair, his face showing his disappointment. Once in the library the manufacturer shut the door with care. He motioned his visitor to a chair. But Aaron Poole was too impatient to sit down. "Now, what's this about my son, Nat?" growled the money-lender. "I'll tell you," was Mr. Wadsworth's reply, and he related what had occurred at the old Potts place. "You expect me to believe this?" snarled Aaron Poole. "Believe it or not, it is the truth, and I have the three boys to prove it, and likewise Professor Potts's ruined suit of clothing. Now," continued the manufacturer, "I know all about your charge against Dave. I'll not say that he wasn't careless, because he was. But he meant no harm, and it is going too far to have him arrested. It would be much fairer for Professor Potts to have your son locked up, and make you pay for the suit of clothing in the bargain. Now, the professor thinks a great deal of Dave, and he is willing to drop his complaint against Nat if you'll drop your complaint against Dave." "Oh, so that's the way the wind blows, eh?" snarled Aaron Poole. "Well, I won't do it!" he snapped. "I'm going to have Dave Porter arrested!" "If you do, Professor Potts will have Nat arrested, and we'll push our case just as hard as you push yours, Mr. Poole." "Humph! I guess this is a plot to free Dave Porter!" "You can think what you please. This is the way I look at it: Dave was careless, and his father can give him a lecture on his carelessness. Nat was brutal, and it is up to you to take him in hand. If he were my son, I'd give him a good talking to--and maybe I'd thrash him," added the rich manufacturer, warmly. "Oh, you are all down on my son--just as you are down on me!" cried Aaron Poole. "I'll look into this! I'll--I'll----"