As they came in sight of the Maple Heights Hotel, Hodge betrayed his keen interest in the surroundings. “It was through me that Frank came here to play baseball long ago,” he said. “I induced him to come. Those were hot times, and it appears that they are just as warm nowadays. I remember old Artemus Hammerswell and his son Herbert. Artemus had money, and Herbert thought himself a thoroughbred. There’s bad blood in these Hammerswells. They got the worst of it in the old days, and I fancy Benton Hammerswell will get the worst of it now.” “There he is!” exclaimed Brad Buckhart, pointing toward the veranda of the hotel. “He’s there on the steps talking to another man. Yes, by the great horn spoon, the man he’s talking with is Tom Fernald!” The Texan was somewhat excited. Dick clutched Brad’s shoulder to prevent him from getting off the car at once. “What do you think you’re going to do, Buckhart?” he demanded. “I’d just like to prance up there and put my brand on both those varmints!” declared the Westerner. “But they’re men, and you’re only a boy,” said Hodge. “They would be two to one against you.” “I certain don’t opine that would hold me up any. I reckon Fernald got something from me last night.” The excited Texan was restrained until the car stopped at the platform built for the passengers who wished to get off at the hotel. On that platform were a number of summer visitors, both ladies and gentlemen. Three men stepped forward as the boys left the car. They were Henry Duncan, William Drake, and Eustace Smiley. Duncan clasped Dick’s hand. “Good morning, my boy!” he exclaimed heartily. “I’m glad you accepted our invitation. Hammerswell found out about it, and he’s hot under the collar. I don’t know what he’s been doing, but he made a great hustle when he learned you were coming.” “I think we know what he was doing,” declared Dick. “We’re lucky to arrive uninjured, Mr. Duncan.” He then told of their narrow escape from a serious accident. “Do you think it possible any one actually tampered with those rails?” gasped William Drake, in horror. “My goodness! my goodness!” cried Eustace Smiley, his pudgy hands uplifted. “It must have been an accident.” “It will be investigated,” said Dick. “Both motorman and conductor declared the rails had been loosened and spread.” “Dreadful! dreadful!” said Smiley. Bart Hodge now stepped forward and made himself known to Duncan, who remembered him well and welcomed him once more to Maplewood. “In order to avoid trouble with Hammerswell,” said Duncan, “we decided to entertain you at the clubhouse instead of at the hotel. Hammerswell has been keeping his team at the hotel, and he has some sort of a pull there.” “We’re well aware of that,” nodded Dick, smiling grimly. “He had a pull sufficient to push us from the place the day we first arrived in this town.” “A most disgraceful piece of business,” said Smiley.