and Ham both looked glum
and savage; but they ate their dinner in silence.

"Buck, I want you," said the captain, in a very ugly tone, as I was
going to the barn after dinner. "Come into the store."

I followed him into the shop. He sat down behind the post-office
counter, looked at me sternly, and then gazed at the floor.

"Where have you been to-day?" said he, after his gaze had vibrated for
some time between me and the floor.

"I haven't been far."

"Buck, have you got any money?" he added, sharply, and putting the
question as a home thrust at me.

"Yes, sir, I have," I replied, startled by the inquiry; for it was
evident to me now that the storm was coming in the shape of a tempest.

"How much have you got?"

"I haven't got any of your money," I answered.

If Ham could rob the mail, it would not be a very hard step for him to
take to rob his father's pocket-book; and I began to think he had done
so, charging the crime upon me.

"I didn't say you had got any of my money," added Captain Fishley. "I
asked you how much you had."

"What do you want to know for?"

"No matter what I want to know for. Why don't you answer me?"

"Because I don't choose to answer you," I replied, saucily.

I felt innocent, and I could not tell him anything about my money
without exposing his brother. He made a movement towards me, and I
thought he was going to seize me by the collar. I jumped over the
counter, for I had all my money in my pocket, and I did not care about
being searched.

"Come back here!" said he, savagely.

"I am just as well here."

"Will you tell me how much money you have got, or shall I send for the
constable?" he continued.

"You may send for the constable, if you like; but I haven't any money
that belongs to you, or anybody but myself."

"Yes, you have! You have been robbing the mail!" retorted my tyrant,
fiercely.

Robbing the mail! I saw through the mill-stone. The postmaster had heard
from Miss Larrabee, or her brother, in regard to the missing letter,
and I was accused of purloining it! No doubt Captain Fishley thought I
was the robber. Probably Ham had charged the crime upon me, and his
father was willing to believe him.

"I have not robbed the mail," I replied, smartly.

"Yes, you did; and I can prove it. You had better own it, and give back
the money."

"I didn't take the money."

"What's the use to deny it, Buck?" said he, more mildly. "If you will
own it, and give back the mone