, now, first-off, last year, before I went away for my health---"
Tip grinned in ghastly fashion 'ye hired me to do a certain job
for ye. Right, so far, ain't I?"

"Possibly," assented Fred, coldly.

"Ye hired me to get hold of keys that could be used on one o'
the High School locker rooms," Tip went on, cunningly. "Ye hired
me to steal some stuff from the coats o' the young gents that
study there. Then ye hired me to break inter Dick Prescott's
room and get the loot inter his trunk. Right, ain't I?"

Tip spoke assertively, making no effort to keep his voice low.

"For goodness' sake don't shout it all over four counties," protested
Fred Ripley, glancing apprehensively about him. His face was
paler, now, from uneasiness.

"Oh, I ain't afraid about anyone hearing me," Tip went on,
unconcernedly. "D'ye know why, Fred, my boy? Because I done my
stretch for the trick, and there ain't nuthin' more comin' to me on
that score. If _you're_ 'fraid, jest go an' do yer stretch, like I
did, an' then ye won't care who hears or knows!"

Tip laughed cunningly. Fred's face darkened. He squirmed, yet
found himself afraid to show anger.

"So I dropped ye that note, tellin' ye to come here at three this
aft'noon," Scammon continued. "I told ye I hoped ye'd find it
convenient to come, an' hinted that if ye didn't, ye might wish
later, that ye had."

"I'm here," retorted the Ripley heir. "Now, what do you want
to say to me?"

"I'm broke," Tip informed Ripley, plaintively. "Stony! Understand?
I hain't got no money."

"You don't expect me to furnish you with any?" demanded Fred,
his eyes opening wide in astonishment. "I paid you, in full,
last year."

"Ye didn't pay me fer the stretch I done, did ye?" demanded Tip,
insolently. "How much did ye pay me for keeping my mouth closed,
so you wouldn't have to do your stretch?"

Fred winced painfully under that steady, half-ugly glance of the
other.

"And now," continued Scammon, in a half-hurt way, "ye think it's
hard if I tell ye that I want a few dollars to keep food in my
insides."

"You've got your father," hinted Fred.

"Sure, I have," Tip assented.

"But it's mighty little he'll do for me until I get a job and
settle down to it."

"Well, why don't you?" asked Fred Ripley. "That's the surest
way to get straight with the world."

"When I want advice," sneered Scammon, "I won't tramp all the
way out here, an' ask _you_ for it. Nope. I don't want advice