"Our friend of the smashed eggs," whispered Sam to Dave. "Wonder if he has cleaned out his valise yet."
The man sat down at a side table and ordered several things. Then he happened to glance around, noticed the students for the first time, and scowled.
"Humph! what you fellows doing here?" he growled.
"Haven't we a right to come here?" demanded Dave, for the man was looking straight at him.
"Shouldn't think the proprietor would want such gay larks as you here."
"I shouldn't think he'd want such a grunt as you here," retorted Sam Day.
"Hi! now, don't you talk to me that way!" roared the stout man. "I want you to understand I am a gentleman, I am."
"See here, we can't have any quarreling in here," said the restaurant proprietor, coming forward.
"Some of them fellows knocked me down on the train and smashed a valise full of eggs on me, Mr. Denman."
"We did nothing of the sort," answered Sam. "He fell on the icy platform of the car and right on top of his valise."
"And then he got up and bumped into me," added Dave. "He was very impolite, to say the least."
"Look here!" roared the stout man, "I want you to understand----"
"Wait a minute," interrupted Amos Denman, the restaurant keeper. "Isn't your name Isaac Pludding?"
"Then you are the man who caused the trouble at Mr. Brown's restaurant last week. I know you. Some time ago you were in here, and nothing suited you. I don't want to serve you, and you can go elsewhere for your meal."
"Don't want to sell me anything?" snarled Isaac Pludding.
"Not a mouthful. And, let me add, I consider these young men gentlemen, and I won't have them annoyed while they are in my place."
"Oh, all right, have your own way," snarled the stout man. "I'll take my money elsewhere, I will!" He glared at the students. "But I'll get square some day for this--don't forget that!" And shaking his head very savagely, he stormed out of the restaurant, banging the door after him.
"Well, if he isn't the worst yet," was the comment of the senator's son.
"I hope he isn't waiting for that train," said Shadow. "I don't want to see any more of him."
"Pooh! who's afraid?" asked Phil. "I guess we can make him keep his distance."
"I thought I knew him when he came in, but I wasn't sure," said the restaurant keeper. "The man who runs the hotel, Mr. Brown, had a lot of trouble with him because he wouldn't pay his bill--said it was too high. Then he came here once and said the meat wasn't fresh and the bread was stale and sour. I came close to pitching him out. Don't let him walk over you--if he does take your train."