Chapter XXI · NED MIXER.

CHAPTER XXI. NED MIXER.

Vacation—Associates—Edward Mixer—His character—Loitering around railroad depôts—An excursion into the country—The railroad bridge—Fruit—A fine garden—Getting over the fence—Looking for birds' nests—Disappearance of Edward and Alfred—A chase—Escape of the boys—Hailing each other—Edward's account of the adventure—A grand speculation—Pluck—Secrecy—Curiosity not gratified—Arrival of Oscar's uncle—The officer's interview with Mr. Preston—The real character and history of Ned—Timely warning—Oscar's astonishment—What he knew concerning Ned—A hint about forming new acquaintances—Oscar's removal from city temptations decided on—A caution and precaution—Departure—Ned's arrest and sentence—The "grand speculation" never divulged.