what you did with that letter Mr. Carter gave you to
post for me?" asked Phil.

Alonzo was indeed surprised, not to say dismayed. The truth was that,
judging from the "feel" of the letter, it contained money, and he had
opened it and appropriated the money to his own use. Moreover he had
the bank-note in his pocket at that very moment, not having any wish to
spend, but rather to hoard it.

"That's a queer question," he stammered. "What letter do you refer to?"

"A letter Mr. Carter gave you to mail to me."

"If he gave me any such letter I mailed it," answered Alonzo, scarcely
knowing what to say.

"I didn't receive it."

"How do you know he gave me any letter?" demanded Alonzo, puzzled.

"I don't care to tell. I only know that there was such a letter handed
to you. Do you know what was in it?"

"Writing, I s'pose," said Alonzo flippantly.

"Yes, there was, but there was also a ten-dollar bill. I didn't receive
the letter," and Phil fixed his eyes searchingly upon the face of
Alonzo.

"That's a pretty story!" said Alonzo. "I don't believe Uncle Oliver
would be such a fool as to send you ten dollars. If he did, you got it,
and now want to get as much more, pretending you haven't received it."

"You are mistaken," said Phil quietly.

"If you didn't get the letter, how do you know any was written, and that
there was anything in it?" asked Alonzo triumphantly, feeling that the
question was a crusher.

"I don't care to tell you how I know it. Do you deny it?"

"I don't remember whether Uncle Oliver gave me any letter or not."

"Will you be kind enough to give me his address in Florida, so that I
may write to him and find out?"

"No, I won't," said Alonzo angrily, "and I think you are very cheeky
to ask such a thing. Ma was right when she said that you were the most
impudent boy she ever came across."

"That's enough, Alonzo," said Phil quietly. "I've found out all I wanted
to."

"What have you found out?" asked Alonzo, his tone betraying some
apprehension.

"Never mind. I think I know what became of that letter."

"Do you mean to say I opened it and took out the money?" demanded
Alonzo, reddening.

"I wouldn't charge anybody with such a mean act, unless I felt satisfied
of it."

"You'd better not!" said Alonzo, in a bullying tone. "If I find out who
you're working for, I'll let him know that pa bounced you."

"Just as you please! I don't think that any words of yours will injure
me with the ge