"They were standing right by this window, and appeared to be listening to something," declared Slugger Brown. "Then they must have been listening to what we were saying," grumbled Jackson. "How long were you at this window, young fellow?" demanded Jake Tate. "I guess that's our own business," and Randy's eyes flashed defiance. "You want to keep your eyes on those Rovers," cautioned Nappy Martell. "They're as sly as foxes. I know 'em!" "And they'll do you harm if they can," added Slugger Brown. "He is saying that because we wouldn't stand for any of his underhanded work," explained Fred. "We never did stand for anything that wasn't on the level," added Andy, and looked at Carson Davenport suggestively. "See here, young fellow, don't you get fresh!" cried the oil company promoter. And then he added with a sneer: "I reckon you've been listening to more than was good for you." "Well, if you want to know it, we heard a few things that surprised us," answered Jack boldly. "What did you hear?" questioned Jake Tate quickly. "We heard what you had to say about the Lorimer Spell claim, if you must know it," retorted Fred. "Yes, and we are going to report it to my Uncle Dick at once," said Andy. At this the men were evidently much disturbed, and Tate pulled Davenport back and whispered something into his ear. Then both conferred with Jackson. In the meantime Nappy and Slugger came forward again with Werner close behind them. "You tried to run things to suit yourselves up at Colby Hall," sneered Slugger. "But you'll find it a different story down here." "Don't you dare to tell any stories about us," warned Nappy. "If you do you'll get in bad, mark my words. I've stood all I'm going to stand from your crowd." "If you are behaving yourself and trying to earn an honest living, we'll have nothing to say to anybody about your past," answered Jack. "The war is over, and the question of how you aided those German sympathizers is a thing of the past." "Don't you trust 'em," growled Werner. "They'll do their level best to get you in bad. I know 'em!" "You just let me get at you, Werner, and I'll show you what I'll do," retorted Jack, and made a move in the direction of the fellow. And at this the bully lost no time in retreating. He was evidently afraid that the Rovers would hand him over to the authorities. By this time the men were coming forward again. "See here, boys, we don't want any trouble," said Carson Davenport oilily. "We were only talking about that Lorimer Spell claim in a general way. I'll explain everything to Mr. Rover's satisfaction in the morning. I only want to work with him in this matter. We could get along so much better than if we worked separately." "All right, then," answered Jack. "You know where my father can be found."