Temple's manner was sullen as he walked beside Harry and the officer, handcuffed. He overcame his sullenness, after a while, so far as to inquire:

"How came you to suspect me of this robbery?"

"Your friend Vernon has confessed it," answered the officer. "You may as well know, for it will do no harm."

"So he betrayed me?" said Temple, bitterly.

"He had no choice. He was trapped himself."

"Where is he now?"

"In prison, awaiting trial."

Temple looked better satisfied. He had suspected Vernon of turning State's evidence and betraying him.

"But how was he found out?" he asked, after a pause.

"The night you hid the tin box in the wood, there was some one who saw all that passed."

"Who was that?" asked Temple, eagerly.

"You will know in due time."

"Where are you taking me now?"

"To the county jail."

"Where is the tin box?"

"In the hands of the man from whom you stole it, There, I have answered your questions, and have no more to say."

"What do you think will be done with me?" asked Temple, anxiously.

The officer shrugged his shoulders.

"Gentlemen of your profession," he said, "are generally well informed on that point. If found guilty, you will be boarded at the expense of the county for a term of years."

"Curse the luck!" uttered Temple, savagely, and then was silent.

Philip had left them, and was on his way home, glad to get out of his predicament, but more incensed than ever against Harry for the mortification he had put upon him in compelling him to beg his pardon.

"I'll get even with him, see if I don't," he muttered.

When Harry and the officer had lodged their prisoner in jail, the latter said:

"I nearly forgot to tell you that Mr. Wheeler wishes you to call at his office to-morrow."

"In the morning?"

"As you please."

"I think I will go up by the morning train," said Harry, after a little reflection.

"Then you will be likely to meet me on the train. I shall be a passenger."

"I will look for you. I shall be glad to have company."

"By the way, that was very creditable work of yours, ferreting out the bond robbers."

"I was lucky, that is all," answered Harry, modestly.

"Partly so, but you have showed excellent judgment throughout, and personal bravery."

"Don't flatter me, Mr. Pry. You may make me conceited."

"You ought to be one of us."

"I don't think I should like it," said Harry, slowly.

"Perhaps not, but you're fitted for it, for all that. Well, good-day. I shall see you to-morrow."

"You are getting to be an important business man, Harry," said Uncle Obed, when our hero announced that he had a summons to the city next day.

"What is it all about, Harry?" asked his mother, rather puzzled.

"Let the boy explain in his own good time, Mrs. Gilbert," said the old man. "I know he isn't in any mischief."

"I may be able to tell you to-morrow evening, mother. It will be something that will surprise you."

"I suppose it is all right, Harry, as Mr. Wilkins says so."

"Yes, mother, I can assure you of that."

In due time Harry boarded the morning train. He looked through the cars till he found Mr. Pry, the detective, and took a seat beside him.

It was not long before his attention was called to a smooth, plausible voice, proceeding from a person who sat two seats in advance of the one he occupied.

"My dear sir, if it will be any accommodation to you, I will myself buy your bond, and pay you the market price."

There was something in the voice, and in the words, that attracted Harry's attention and excited his suspicions.

"Excuse me a moment," he said to the detective, and, passing through the aisle, reached a point where he could look back at the speaker.

He knew him at once, not only by his face, but by the profusion of rings upon his fingers. It was the same man that had cheated the poor farmer by giving him counterfeit money in payment fo............