him
material for the weekly paper and to give him news as well if there
happened to be any and he entered on his duties as contributor under a
regular if not large salary.

Meanwhile, Herring took every opportunity to speak disparagingly of
Jack, to sneer at everything he said or at every word of praise that
was given him and to snub him whenever they met.

Jack cared nothing for this latter treatment and, indeed, seemed not to
notice it and as far as snubbing went he never had anything to say to
the bully and always passed him by without notice.

It was about ten days after the finding of the money in the creek and
Jack was strolling in the woods half way down from the Academy, absorbed
in thought and paying little attention to where he went or to the
objects about him when he heard a sudden sharp hiss and then:

"Well? Do you like it here?"

He looked up suddenly and saw a man in a rough dark grey suit and
wearing a thick black beard, standing close to a tree which had a great
hollow on one side.

"You!" he exclaimed, stepping back a pace and straightening himself as
if wishing to keep away from something defiling.

"Yes, me. So you are going to a high-class school, are you?"

"Why should I not if I pay for it?" asked Jack, coolly.

"And I need the money. Have you any with you?"

"Yes--and I mean to keep it with me," with a slight interruption.

"I can claim all you have. It is mine by right," said the other in a
dogged tone. "Come closer. I want to talk to you. Perhaps I can make a
business proposition."

There was a rustle among the leaves at a little distance and Jack looked
around sharply but saw nothing, the stranger having evidently not taken
note of anything.

"Come here," he said, resting his hand in the hollow of the tree. "Do
you see this hole? You could put something in there and I would get it.
I have used it for a post-office before. It has been very handy. So, you
found the money in the creek, did you? I was coming after it in a day or
so. What have you done with it?"

"Restored it to the bank, whose property it was," came the quiet answer.
"You do not suppose I would keep it?"

"I worked for that money and only for my pals getting frightened I would
have had more. We left the biggest part behind."

"It is not safe for you here since the police have your description and
know your reputation," said Jack, quietly. "I would advise you to go
away at once."

"Who would recognize me?" as