t."

"With interest eight hundred and twenty-four dollars."

"Frank, call in Mr. Morton as a witness."

Mr. Morton entered.

"Now, Frank, you may count out the money."

"What!" stammered the squire, in dismay, "can you pay it."

"We can."

"Why didn't you tell me so in the first place?" demanded Squire Haynes,
his wrath excited by his bitter disappointment.

"I wished to ascertain whether your course was dictated by necessity or
a desire to annoy and injure us. I can have no further doubt about it."

There was no help for it. Squire Haynes was compelled to release his
hold upon the Frost Farm, and pocket his money. He had never been so
sorry to receive money before.

This business over, he was about to beat a hurried retreat, when he was
suddenly arrested by a question from Henry Morton.

"Can you spare me a few minutes, Squire Haynes?"

"I am in haste, sir."

"My business is important, and has already been too long delayed."

"Too long delayed?"

"Yes, it has waited twelve years."

"I don't understand you, sir," said the squire.

"Perhaps I can assist you. You know me as Henry Morton. That is not my
real name."

"An alias!" sneered the squire in a significant tone.

"Yes, I had my reasons," returned the young man, unmoved.

"I have no doubt of it."

Henry Morton smiled, but did not otherwise notice the unpleasant
imputation.

"My real name is Richard Waring."

Squire Haynes started violently and scrutinized the young man closely
through his spectacles. His vague suspicions were confirmed.

"Do you wish to know my business with you?"

The squire muttered something inaudible.

"I demand the restitution of the large sum of money entrusted to you by
my father, just before his departure to the West Indies--a sum of which
you have been the wrongful possessor for twelve years."

"Do you mean to insult me?" exclaimed the squire, bold in the assurance
that the sole evidence of his fraud was undiscovered.

"Unless you comply with my demand I shall proceed against you legally,
and you are enough of a lawyer to understand the punishment meted out to
that description of felony."

"Pooh, pooh! Your threats won't avail you," said the squire
contemptuously. "Your plan is a very clumsy one. Let me suggest to
you, young man, that threats for the purpose of extorting money are
actionable."

"Do you doubt my identity?"

"You may very probably be the person you claim to be, but that won't
save you.