," returned Steiner.

"When did he go?"

"Went early this morning. He drove down to see about a dog he is going to
buy from a sport who lives there."

Silver Cove was several miles below Westville, and the road to the place
would not have brought the aristocratic bully near the cottage by the
bridge.

"You are sure he went?"

"Yes. I saw him drive off. He wanted me to go along, but I couldn't very
well. Do you wish to see him?"

"Yes."

"I understand you and he had some trouble yesterday."

"We did have some trouble yesterday. But I want to see him about something
else now."

Steiner stared at Ralph. Then, thinking he had spent enough time on such a
poor lad as the bridge tender, he turned away and walked off, whistling a
merry concert-hall air.

Ralph stood still, undecided what to do next. If Percy had really gone to
Silver Cove, somebody else must be guilty of breaking the cottage windows.
But who? Ralph could not remember of having any other enemy.

While the boy was deliberating he saw three men coming toward him. They
were the squire, the postmaster, and Uriah Dicks.

"Why ain't you at the bridge?" asked Uriah, sourly.

"We have had trouble at the cottage, sir," replied Ralph. "Some vandal has
broken nearly all of our windows."

"It's a wonder you do not blame it on my son Percy!" sneered the squire.

"I do blame it on him," retorted Ralph. "He is the only enemy who would do
such a thing."

"More of the scheme to get my son into trouble. You see how it is,
gentlemen; he is a thorough young rascal!" exclaimed the squire.

"It's awful!" murmured Postmaster Hooker. "It's a good thing we intend to
act on this matter, squire."

"Yes, we can't let it rest another minute," returned Squire Paget.

And on the three men passed, leaving Ralph more bitter in heart than ever.

The young bridge tender returned to work, sending Bob Sanderson to the
cottage with instructions to buy what glass was needed, and put it in,
taking the money out of the twenty-dollar bill Horace Kelsey had given him
that morning.

The afternoon slipped by quietly, and at sundown Sanderson came back to
relieve Ralph as usual.

"The glass is all in, and here is the change," said he, and handed over
sixteen dollars and a half. "Had to pay three dollars and a half for glass,
tacks, and putty."

"But your pay, Mr. Sanderson----"

"That's all right, Ralph; I won't ask none on this job, exceptin' you catch
the chap as did it, an