It was Mr. Baker.
Bart was more pleased than surprised to see him. He had anticipated his
arrival the last two days.
Bart tapped the table to call the crowd to order and silence.
Then he looked again at the doorway, and this time with vivid interest.
He saw Lem Wacker shuffle into view, glance keenly around, fix his eye
on Baker, and steal into the room and sit down directly behind that
mysterious individual.
CHAPTER XXIII
"GOING, GOING, GONE!"
Bart made a first-class auctioneer--everybody said so after the sale was
over, and the pleased grins and the good-natured attention of his
audience assured the young novice of this as he concluded the
introductory speech.
He had prepared a simple, witty preface to actual business, telling many
truths of people who had spent a few cents for what had turned out to be
worth many dollars, and inviting a good many guesses by hinting what
might be in the heap upon which all eyes were fixed intently.
"Number 1129," said Bart, after taking a brief breathing spell.
Bob Haven lifted a box about two feet square to the table.
"Shipped to William Brothers, Ross Junction," announced Bart, reading
the tag, "not found.
Pages:
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158