The Further Adventures of Jack Lime Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sunday afternoon. His mom answered the door and invited me in for some milk and cookies. I was just sitting down at the kitchen table when Stanley walked in.
    â€œWhat do you want, Lime?” he asked.
    â€œStanley,” his mother snapped, “that’s no way to talk to a guest.”
    â€œIt’s all right, ma’am,” I said. “Stanley’s probably still upset about something I said on Friday. I wanted to come over and apologize.”
    â€œWell, then,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron, “I’ll just let you two boys work it out. I’ll be in the den if you need anything, Stanley.”
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” he asked, snatching the cookie off my plate and taking a big bite.
    â€œLance’s comeback the other day was something else, wasn’t it?”
    â€œSure,” he said, “but what’s it to you?”
    â€œI’ll tell you what it is to me, friend. I think it’s all too convenient. It’s too convenient for Mike, and it’s too convenient for Lance Munroe. The only person it’s not convenient for is you and your short friend.”
    â€œOllie?”
    â€œWhat if I told you I know a surefire way for you and Ollie to get your money back.”
    â€œI’d say you were nuts, Lime.”
    â€œHear me out, and if you still think I’m loony tunes at the end of my speech, then I’ll leave you and your cookies alone forevermore. What do you say?”
    â€œThis better be good,” he said, sitting down.
    â€œIt’s better than good,” I said, and explained my plan.
    Monday, October 7, 12:10 p.m.
Iona High, The Cafeteria
    Stanley Putz didn’t think my plan was nuts. In fact, he liked it enough that he convinced his friend Ollie to help us out. I called Pepperton on Sunday night to confirm that the operation was a go, and by lunch on Monday, the trap was set.
    At precisely ten minutes after twelve, I watched Stan and Ollie walk into the cafeteria from my position in a nearby stairwell. Five minutes later they came out with Mike the Bookie. Unfortunately Heavy stomped out behind them. I’d been afraid that my visit to the dodgeball game the other night might’ve spooked him. I figured he might have a little extra protection today, so I’d arranged for a diversion. That’s where Gregory Pepperton fit into this plan.
    Mike and the rubes filed into the boys’ bathroom while Heavy guarded the door and looked mean. Pepperton was standing at the end of the hall. I gave him a nod, and he came my way carrying four large boxes.
    â€œWhat you got there?” Heavy asked as Pepperton walked by.
    â€œDoughnuts,” Pepperton said with a smile. “I’m giving them away in the cafeteria!”
    â€œI have a better idea, Poindexter,” Heavy said, stepping forward. “Why don’t you give them to me and save yourself a lot of trouble.”
    â€œBut … I’m supposed to …” Pepperton stammered, then he decided it’d be a whole lot easier to just make a break for the cafeteria. Heavy clomped after him while I darted across the hall and slipped into the boys’ bathroom. The two rubes were about to place their bets when I arrived.
    â€œAre you sure you want to bet that much?” Mike asked. “Do you guys even have that much money?”
    â€œWe’re good for it,” Stanley said, flashing a thick roll of banknotes.
    Mike took out his little black book and scribbled down the bets.
    â€œYou know,” I said, strolling toward Mike, “I wouldn’t mind betting a few bones on the Warriors.”
    â€œGet lost, Lime!” Mike barked.
    â€œWhat? Can’t I bet on the game, too?”
    â€œSanders! Get in here!” Mike hollered.
    â€œHeavy is busy chasing doughnuts,” I said. “So you may as well put a lid on it.”
    Mike tried to tuck his notebook into his pocket, but Stanley snatched it