"It's where we can produce it at any time that it's wanted," Prescott made reply. "If anyone has been injured, Dodge, in health or in business, by your stupid, brainless bit of horse play and meanness, then I imagine that you'll find yourself in for a serious time of it. So now you know why we took the tires off your automobile. We knew that our campfire would show you the way to our camp, and that you'd surely be here to hear what we had to say to you. Dodge, we don't care particularly for you, or for Bayliss, either, but if the warning I've given you about pasting up such lying notices to scare people traveling over a public highway is of any use to you, then you're welcome to what you've learned." The coolness of this proposition was such as to take Bert's breath away for a few seconds. When he recovered, he turned to the red-moustached farmer, sputtering: "Well, what do you---you think of that cast-iron nerve and cheek?" "If the facts have been correctly stated," replied the farmer, "I believe these young men have done you a service, and that you'd show more of the spirit of a man if you admitted it." "Humph!" muttered Dodge. "Humph!" echoed Bayliss. Then, enraged at the tantalizing smile on Prescott's face, Bert lost all control of himself. Striding over, he shook his fist before Dick's face, at the same time shouting: "All you need is a trimming with fists, and I'm going to give you one---you hound!" CHAPTER VI PAID IN PULL TO DATE Then, struck by a sudden consideration of prudence, Bert stepped back two or three feet, looking appealingly at the farmer. "Will you stay here long enough to see fair play done?" Dodge demanded of the farmer. "If there is going to be a boxing exhibit, with plenty of science, and all fair play," grinned the farmer, "I don't believe there are enough of you young fellows here to chase me away. Start things moving as soon as you like." With that the stranger drew out a pipe, which he proceeded to fill and light. "Get yourself in shape, you mucker!" breathed Bert fiercely, pulling off his coat and tossing his motoring cap after it to the ground. "Come on---get ready!" "I'm no rowdy," Dick declared coolly, making no move to put himself in readiness. "No; you're a coward, with a long line of talk, but no spirit in you!" jeered young Dodge. "If I'm a coward, what possible glory would there be in your fighting me?" Dick smiled. "Let me have the sneak!" begged Dave, stepping forward, but Dick pushed his churn back. Tom Reade took tight hold of Dave's right arm. With the prospects of an encounter vanishing, Bert Dodge's valor went up tenfold. "Get up your guard!" he roared. "I've been taking boxing lessons and I want to teach you one or two things." "I haven't been taking any boxing lessons lately," Dick remarked with composure. "Oh, that's why you're afraid to act at all like a man, is it?" scoffed Bert in his harshest voice.