ay, I am certain Percy did not take your bill."

"Did you give him a twenty-dollar bill?"

"I give him all the spending money he needs," returned Squire Paget,
evasively. "He has probably saved the amount and had some one change his
small money for one big bill."

"He didn't have it changed into my bill--the one Mr. Dicks holds. That he
got at the bridge--how, I don't know--and I am going to have it back."

"Ha! do you threaten my son!" cried Squire Paget, wrathfully.

"I am going to make him do what is right, sir. I can't afford to lose
twenty dollars and say nothing."

Instantly Squire Paget flared up, and shook his fist in Ralph's face.

"If you dare to make trouble for my son I'll have you discharged as bridge
tender," he fumed. "Understand that, Nelson! I am not going to have
Percy's fair name ruined."

At that moment, before Ralph could reply, a key was heard to turn in the
front door, and a second later the squire's son strode into the house.

CHAPTER VIII.

SQUIRE PAGET MAKES A MOVE.

Percy Paget had not expected to see Ralph, and he was very much
disconcerted when brought thus unexpectedly face to face with the young
bridge tender.

"Why--er--you here?" he stammered, as he flung aside his hat.

"He has been telling a fine string of falsehoods against you, my son!" put
in the squire, ere Ralph could speak.

"And what has he been saying?" demanded the aristocratic bully, coolly.
"Has he been telling you how I had to polish him off for insulting me?"

"No; he tells me that you stole a twenty-dollar bill from him!"

Percy was about to burst out into violent language, that would have
astonished even his indulgent parent, but suddenly he changed his mind and
allowed an injured look to cross his face.

"I hope, father, you don't believe any such outrageous story about me," he
said, plaintively.

"Of course I don't," returned the squire, promptly. "I know my son will not
steal."

"Ralph is mad because I gave him a good thrashing," went on the only son.

"I imagine the boot is on the other foot," put in Ralph. "It is Percy who
got the worst of the encounter."

"He says you refused to pay the toll," went on Squire Paget.

"I only refused after he had called me all sorts of names," retorted the
only son. "I was going over to Eastport, but after I had to teach him a
lesson, I concluded to remain on this side."

"You are not telling the truth!" cried Ralph, indignantly. "It was you who
in