Bob Cook and the German Spy | Page 6

I--"
"Sh," hissed Hugh. "Here comes Frank Wernberg now."

CHAPTER III
BOB HAS A FIGHT
Frank Wernberg was a stocky, light-haired boy with blue eyes and a
pink and white complexion; that is, it was usually pink and white,
though this morning his face was flushed and red. His eyes had a glint
in them not usually apparent and his mouth was drawn down at the
corners into a scowl. His hair, close-cropped, seemed to bristle more
than was its wont; in fact his usual mild-mannered appearance had
given way to one of belligerency.
"Hello, Frank," said Bob pleasantly.
"Hello," said Frank shortly.
"What's the matter?" inquired Hugh. "You seem to have a grouch."
Something was in the air and the boys felt uneasy in one another's
presence. Usually they laughed and joked incessantly, and Frank
Wernberg was one of the jolliest boys in the school. He was inclined to
be stout and like most fat people was full of fun as a rule. This morning,
however, his demeanor was far from happy.
"Why shouldn't I have a grouch?" he demanded angrily. "I've just been
talking to that chump, Jim Scott. He seems to think that any one who
disagrees with him must be wrong."
Bob nudged Hugh. "What was the argument?" he asked.
"The war," said Frank bitterly. "I said I thought Germany was all right,
and he tried to lecture me about it. Hasn't a fellow a right to his own
opinion?"
"Sure he has," exclaimed Bob. "Any one can think Germany is all right
if he wants to, but no one who is an American can side with Germany

against the United States at a time like this."
"Who says they can't?" demanded Frank flaring up.
"I say so," exclaimed Bob.
"Who are you to tell others what they can do?"
"I'm an American, anyway."
"Well, I'm a better American than you are," cried Frank hotly.
"And you stand up for Germany now?"
"I do, because Germany is right and America is wrong."
The three boys were standing in one corner of the school yard, removed
from all the others so that the rapidly rising tones of their voices passed
unheard. Their faces were now white and their breath came fast. Hugh
had taken no part in the argument thus far, but he stood shoulder to
shoulder with Bob, prepared for any emergency.
"And what's more," exclaimed Frank, "this country was forced into war
by a lot of men who want to make money out of it."
"You're crazy," said Bob.
"No, I'm not crazy either. Some of those men live right in this town too.
I guess you know who I mean all right."
"What do you mean?" demanded Bob in a tense voice. "Name
somebody. I suppose the fact that Germany has murdered a lot of
Americans has nothing to do with our going to war."
"Certainly not," said Frank. "It's the men who want to make money."
"Who says so?"
"I say so, and so does my father."

"Huh!" sniffled Bob. "Name one of the men."
"They may get fooled," said Frank darkly. "Something might happen to
their factories and they'd lose money instead of making it."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, you know all right."
"He hasn't named anybody yet," Hugh reminded his friend.
"That's right," exclaimed Bob. "Who are they, Frank?"
"Well," said Frank, "one of the men who thinks he is going to make a
lot of money but who may get fooled is--"
"Go on," urged Bob, as Frank hesitated.
"Your father!" snapped Frank suddenly.
Quick as a flash Bob's right arm shot out and his clenched fist caught
Frank squarely on the nose. Hugh started forward as if to help his
friend, but Bob waved him aside. "This is my affair," he panted.
Whatever else he was, Frank was no coward. Blood was already
trickling from his nose and the force of the blow he had received
brought tears to his eyes. He recovered himself almost immediately,
however, and with head down rushed at Bob. Bob was waiting for him
and sent a crushing blow to his opponent's jaw. Again Frank staggered
back, but a moment later advanced for more.
He was more wary this time, however, and several of Bob's blows
missed their mark. The boys danced about, each sparring for an
opening. They were of almost equal size and weight, though Frank was
probably a better boxer. Bob, however, was furiously though quietly
angry, and convinced that the right was on his side had an advantage to
that extent. Meanwhile the rest of the boys, attracted by the noise of the
combat were running from all directions to get a close view of the fight.
They quickly formed a ring around the two combatants and urged their

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