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DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH
It was dark, and for several seconds Dave could see little or nothing. He heard a faint groan.
"Is that you, Mr. Dale?" he asked, kindly.
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?"
