Back to page 8 Return to page 1 Andy Grant Chapter9 Mr Gale
Andy was walking over to the post office when he met Mr Gale. "Hello Andy," he said. I hope you are feeling great after winning the boat race."
"Yes" said Andy. I was lucky that Victor allowed me to use his boat."
Picture of Mr Gale with Andy
"I haven't really had a chance to talk to you," said Mr Gale. I came to Arden about a month ago and I met most of the boys who have boats."
"I have been away at Penhurst academy," said Andy.
"Did you come home specially for the race?" said Mr Gale.
"No,"said Andy sadly. "I had to leave Penhurst because my father lost most of his money. He couldn't afford to send me to school anymore and I shall have to get a job."
Then Andy told Mr Gale all that had happened. Mr Gale listened very carefully and Andy felt that he liked and trusted him. He said,"You know I cannot help being a little bit annoyed with my father and I think I should not feel like that."
"Well Andy," said Mr Gale. I did talk to your father for a few minutes after the race and I think he is a really nice person. The trouble is that many good people like him do not believe that some other people can be so wicked. I think you are very lucky to have such a good person as your father."
"Thank you,"said Andy. You are making me feel much happier."
"I would guess that Nathan Lawrence seemed to be very friendly and made people think that they could trust him."
"Yes, I used to think of him as if he were my uncle. When I was very young he used to tell me stories. I liked the one about George Washington. People said he could'nt tell a lie and he became the first President of the United States."
Picture of Andy drawing
Mr Gale looked surprised. "That's strange!" hesaid . "I am the deputy sheriff in little Arden and we have just arrested someone who says he is called George Washington Playfair. He is being charged with cheating an old lady out of all her money. Can you tell me what Nathan Lawrence looks like?"
"Well I am not very good at describing people in words but I can draw you a cartoon which shows what he looks like."
Andy began to draw. Mr Gale said,"I will not look until you are finished."
The telegram read: GEORGE WASHINGTON PLAYFAIR IDENTIFIED AS NATHAN LAWRENCE STOP. WANTED IN ARDEN FOR RUNNING AWAY WITH BANK'S MONEY STOP I AM RETURNING BY 5 PM TRAIN STOP DEPUTY SHERIFF GALE
