This was said with such an air of decision that the farmer saw that it was useless to stand out for more.
“I’ll take it,” said Mr. Sackett reluctantly, “but th’ calf was wuth forty dollars ef it was a cent.”
“Nonsense!” declared the professor, as he paid over the money. “Haul the carcass out of the way, and we’ll be getting on, boys.”
“It’s a regular case of hold-up,” muttered Ned, as he dragged the calf farther out of the path of the auto.
The farmer pocketed the money with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. Noddy Nixon, looking disappointed, perhaps because the motor boys had not been arrested, started back to his machine, followed by his crony, and soon they were chugging away down the road. Our friends and the professor entered their car.
“Whew! That was a hot time while it lasted!” remarked Bob, when they had gone on some distance.
“Yes, and all Noddy Nixon’s fault,” added Ned.
“Talk about highway robbers,” declared Jerry, “Mr. Sackett comes pretty nearly being one.”
They were filled with righteous anger against Mr. Sackett, and this was added to when they learned something about him when they stopped a little later at a country hotel for dinner.
While they were waiting for the meal to be prepared they got talking to the hotel clerk. They mentioned their experience with Mr. Sackett, and told of paying for the calf.
“Excuse me, strangers,” broke in a farmer who was seated near a table reading, “but was this calf you speak of a brown and white spotted one?”
“With a very long tail?” the man wanted to know.
“Very long,” spoke Ned, who had particularly noted the appendage as he dragged the creature out of the way.
“And was it a thin, poor-looking sort of a calf?” went on the man.
“It was,” said Mr. Snodgrass. “You seem to know this calf in question.”
“Know it? I guess I do!” was the answer. “And I know Eb Sackett, too. Why that calf had been condemned by the county inspector of cattle, an’ Eb had been ordered to kill it. Th’ calf had some catchin’ disease, an’ Eb was under orders t’ git rid of it inside of twenty-four hours, or pay a fine of fifty dollars. He was takin’ it off to shoot it, when you must have bunked into it.”
“Course I am, strangers. Why, I’m a deputy cattle inspector, an’ I’m on my way now to see if Eb carried out the orders he got. But if you say the calf is dead there ain’t no use in me goin’ on.”