The Rover Boys in Camp/Chapter 10
CHAPTER X
AN ADVENTURE IN CEDARVILLE
On the same evening that Lew Flapp and his particular cronies went down to Cedarville to have a good time in a very questionable way, Dick Rover and Songbird Powell also visited the village, one to buy some handkerchiefs, and the other to invest in a book he had ordered from the local bookseller and newsdealer.
"I heard that Lew Flapp was going to Cedarville," said Powell, while on the way. "Do you know, Dick, I don't like that fellow at all."
"Neither do I, Songbird."
"It will make me sick if he is elected major of the battalion."
"Nevertheless, the cadets have a right to elect whom they please."
"I know that as well as you do. But I can't stand Flapp's domineering ways. And he is bound to grow worse if he is put in authority."
"As to that, I shall not stand being bullied," came from Dick, with flashing eyes. "I'll let him go just so far, and if he goes any further he'll have to beware."
Both boys were excellent walkers and it was not long before Cedarville was reached. Dick soon had the handkerchiefs wanted, and then Powell led the way to the bookstore, to obtain a volume of humorous verses he had ordered the week previous.
"I don't see why you buy verses, since you can make them up so readily," said Dick with a smile.
"Oh, I like to see what the other fellows are doing," answered his friend.
"I saw some more of your cadets in town to night," said the bookseller, while wrapping up the book.
"Yes, I believe half a dozen or more came down," returned Powell.
"Having a special celebration to-night?"
"Not that I am aware of."
"Why do you ask?" put in Dick, who knew the bookseller well.
"Oh, I only thought some of the boys were flying their kite pretty high, that's all," and the man closed one eye suggestively.
"Where did you meet the fellows?"
"Well—er—I'd rather not say, Rover. You see, I don't want to make trouble for anybody."
"Are they in town yet?"
"I presume they are. But don't say I mentioned it, please," pleaded the bookseller.
No more was said, and having paid for the book Powell walked out, with Dick behind him.
"If those fellows are drinking it's a jolly shame," declared Dick, when they were out of hearing. "What do you think about it, Songbird?"
"Exactly as you do, Dick."
"Shall we hunt them up?"
"What good will it do? Lew Flapp won't listen to what you say, and I'm sure I don't want to play the spy and report him."
"But what if he is leading some innocent students astray? He has had half a dozen young chaps dangling at his heels lately."
"I know that." There was a pause. "We might look into some of the places as we pass them."
Very slowly they walked up and down the main street of Cedarville, a thing easy to do, since the stores extended only a distance of two blocks. Then they passed to a side street, upon which two new places had recently been built.
One of the new places was a butcher shop, and this was dark and deserted. Next to it was a new resort known as Mike Sherry's Palace, and this was well lit up and evidently in full blast.
"If Flapp is drinking he is evidently in this place," remarked Dick. "But I don't see any thing of him," he added, after peering through the swinging doors.
"They tell me this Sherry has a room upstairs, also for drinking purposes," returned Powell. "Maybe Flapp and his friends are up there. They wouldn't want to be seen in public, you must remember."
"That is true. But how do they get upstairs—through the saloon?"
"There may be a back way. Let us look."
They walked around to the rear of the building and here found a door leading into a back hall. But the door was locked.
"This is the way up, I feel sure," said Dick. "Somebody has locked the door as a safeguard."
"Then, I'm afraid, we'll have to give it up."
"Not yet, Songbird."
Dick had been looking over toward the rear of the butcher shop. "See, the painters are at work here and have left one of their ladders. Wonder if we can't move it over and put it up under one of those windows?"
The matter was talked over for a minute, and then the two boys took hold of the long ladder and did as Dick desired.
"This may be a wild goose chase," was Powell's comment. "And if it is, and Mike Sherry discovers us, he'll want us to explain. Maybe he'll take us for burglars."
"You can keep shady if you want to, Songbird. I'm going up," and so speaking Dick began to mount the ladder.
The window under which the ladder had been placed was open from the top only, and a half curtain over the lower portion hid what was beyond from view. So, in order to look over the curtain, Dick had to climb to the very top of the ladder and then brace his feet on the window sill.
He could now hear voices quite plainly, and presently heard Lew Flapp speak.
"I'm on the right track," he called softly to Powell. "They are in the room next to this one, but the door between is wide open."
"Shall I come up?"
"Suit yourself. I'm going inside."
As good as his word, Dick slipped over the top of the lowered window sash, and an instant later stood in the room, which was but dimly lit. Then he tiptoed his way behind a door and peeped into the room beyond.
Seven cadets were present, including Lew Flapp, Ben Hurdy, and their particular cronies Jackson, Pender, and Rockley. The others were two young cadets named Joe Davis and Harry Moss.
On the table in the center of the room stood a platter of chicken sandwiches and also several bottles containing beer and wine, and a box of cigars. Evidently all of the crowd had been eating and drinking, and now several were filling the apartment with tobacco smoke.
"Come, smoke up, Moss," cried Lew Flapp, shoving the box of cigars toward one of the younger cadets. "Don't be afraid. It won't kill you."
"Thank you, Flapp, but I—I guess I won't to-night," pleaded Harry Moss, whose face was strangely, flushed.
"Why not?"
"I—I—don't feel well. The drinking has made me feel sick."
"Oh, nonsense! Here, take this cigar and smoke up. It will brace your nerves. And you, Davis, have another glass of something to drink," went on Lew Flapp, pouring out a glassful and handing it to the one addressed.
"Thank you, Flapp, but I don't want any more," answered Joe Davis. He looked as ill at ease as did Harry Moss.
"Don't you want to be sociable?" demanded the tall boy.
"It isn't that, Flapp. I—I guess I've had enough already."
"Oh, don't be a sissy, Davis. Here, I'll drink with you, and then I'll smoke a cigar with Moss. If you are going to be men you want to start right in. Eh, Rockley?"
"That's right, Lew," answered Pockley, as he lit a fresh cigar.
"What you need is another glass, Davis," came from Pender. "It will act as a bracer. Just try it and see."
"I—I don't want to get—get" faltered Davis.
"Get what?"
"Intoxicated—really I don't"
"Who said anything about that?" demanded Lew Flapp in apparent anger. "Don't be a fool. One more glass won't hurt you. Here, take it," and he almost forced the liquor to Joe Davis's lips.
But before he could accomplish his wicked design Dick Rover leaped quickly into the apartment and hurled the glass from the big boy's hand.
"For shame, Flapp!" he cried. "For shame!"
"And that's what I say, too," came from Powell, who was close behind Dick.
Every cadet in the room was astonished, and all leaped to their feet.
"What's up?" cried Rockley.
"They have been spying on us!" came from Jackson.
"Talk about meanness! This is the limit!" added Pender.
"I want you to leave Joe Davis and Harry Moss alone," went on Dick, as calmly as he could. "It's an outrage to get them to drink and smoke against their will."
"Are you two alone?" asked Lew Flapp, glancing nervously over the newcomers' shoulders.
"We are."
"What right had you to come here?"
"Well, we took the right."
"Then you enjoy playing the spy?"
"No, Flapp," said Dick boldly, "but I do enjoy doing Davis and Moss a favor."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that I am going to stand by them, so you shall not get them to drink any more or smoke."
"Humph! What right have you to interfere?"
"Maybe he's going to squeal to the captain," put in Jackson.
"If he does that I'll punch his head for him!" roared Lew Flapp, who had been drinking just enough to make him ugly and unreasonable.
"I did not come here to squeal on anybody," answered Dick.
"I know you did—and I'm going to pound you well for it!" howled Lew Flapp, and on the instant he leaped forward and aimed a savage blow with his fist at Dick's head.