ortable and apprehensive.

"I don't understand you," he said irritably. "However, as you
yourself admit, you have come to the wrong person."

"Just so," said the visitor, rising. "I now go to the right person."

"What do you mean?" asked Squire Davenport, in alarm.

"I mean that I ought to have gone to Mrs. Barclay."

"Sit down, sit down!" said the squire nervously. "You mustn't do
that."

"Why not?" demanded the tramp, looking him calmly in the face.

"Because it would disturb her mind, and excite erroneous thoughts and
expectations."

"She would probably be willing to give me a good sum for bringing it
to her, say, the overdue interest. That alone, in five years and a
half, would amount to over three hundred dollars, even without
compounding."

Squire Davenport groaned in spirit. It was indeed true! He must pay
away over thirteen hundred dollars, and his loss in reputation would
be even greater than his loss of money.

"Can't we compromise this thing?" he stammered. "I don't admit the
genuineness of the note, but if such a claim were made, it would
seriously annoy me. I am willing to give you, say, fifty dollars, if
you will deliver up the pretended note."

"It won't do, squire. Fifty dollars won't do! I won't take a cent
less than two hundred, and that is only about half the interest you
would have to pay."

"You speak as if the note were genuine," said the squire
uncomfortably.

"You know whether it is or not," said the tramp significantly. "At
any rate, we won't talk about that. You know my terms."

In the end Squire Davenport paid over two hundred dollars, and
received back the note, which after a hasty examination, he threw into
the fire.

"Now," he said roughly, "get out of my house, you--forger."

"Good-evening, squire," said the tramp, laughing and nodding to the
discomfited squire. "We may meet again, some time."

"If you come here again, I will set the dog on you."

"So much the worse for the dog! Well, good-night! I have enjoyed my
interview--hope you have."

"Impudent scoundrel!" said the squire to himself. "I hope he will
swing some day!"

But, as he thought over what had happened, he found comfort in the
thought that the secret was at last safe. The note was burned, and
could never reappear in judgment against him. Certainly, he got off
cheap.

"Well," thought the tramp as he strode away from the squire's mansion,
"this has been a profitable evening. I have