A low reply was returned--so low that Dave could not make out what was said. He went into the room a few steps further. As he did so Tom Shocker closed the door and locked it. Dave heard the click of the lock's bolt and wheeled around. "What did you do?" he demanded sharply. "I guess I've got you now, Dave Porter!" cried another voice, and now Dave recognized the tones of Nat Poole. "You played me a scurvy trick by putting me aboard the freight train. I guess it's about time I paid you back; don't you think so?" 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. Dave was strong, and a sudden fear gave him additional strength. He might have been a match for his two assailants, but for the stuff on the cotton. This was chloroform, and when Nat clapped the saturated cotton to his mouth and nose he was speedily rendered all but unconscious. "Don't give him too much!" he heard Tom Shocker say. "You watch him, while I tie his hands," answered Nat, and then Dave was forced back and onto the bed. He struggled weakly, but could not free himself, and before he realized it he was a close prisoner, with his hands tied fast to the head of the bed and his feet fast to the lower end. He was flat on his back. "Now, you can stay there until somebody comes to release you," said Nat, mockingly. "I reckon that will teach you a lesson not to send me off on freight trains!" "Nat, I've got to get back to Buffalo to catch my train for Chicago." "Humph. Not to-night. You'll stay here." "The others will worry about me." "Let them worry. I'll be glad of it."