"
"Humph!" jeered Evarts. "Then what would your directors do if they knew
that---."
"Stop!" begged Mr. Bascomb hoarsely, "Don't say a word further, man!
Sometimes even the leaves on the trees have ears. Don't breathe a word of
what you were going to say just now."
Even in the dark the two concealed watchers could see that Bascomb was
glancing about him nervously.
"Now, what is up?" gasped Tom inwardly. "What part has Mr. Bascomb been
playing in this mystery that he's so afraid of having become public?"
CHAPTER XXI
EVARTS HEARS A NOISE
"I won't shut up," proclaimed Evarts.
"I don't care who hears me."
"But I care," protested the president, in a trembling voice.
"Then you'll have to reward me for whatever silence you want," snarled the
wretch.
"Is this blackmail never to cease?" groaned Mr. Bascomb.
"Yes, when you've used me right," declared Evarts harshly.
"Didn't I come forward promptly on your bail?" demanded Mr. Bascomb.
"Sure, for you didn't dare do otherwise. But that only gave me liberty.
It didn't put any money in my pocket."
"Are you going to jump your bail, and leave me to pay the bond?" asked
Bascomb.
"Perhaps," said Evarts lightly.
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