tory that was in circulation around
the village. It was the same that Jake had related to Douglas.

"And is every one blaming Mr. Handyman?" Nell asked when Nan had
finished.

"Oh, yes. And they are saying what a dangerous man he is, and should
be driven out of the place. I heard the storekeeper tell another man
that he stole Tom Oakes' coat last night, and that he believed that Mr.
Handyman is a noted thief."

"Why, how did he get Tom's coat?" Nell asked in surprise.

"No one seemed to know for sure. But people think that he knocked Tom
down and took his coat, thinking there might be money in it."

"Where did this happen, Nan?"

"On the main road, according to Billy and Tom. They said that they
were walking quietly along when they were set upon by Mr. Handyman, and
knocked down with a big stick. I don't believe it, do you?"

But Nell did not answer. She stood in the middle of the room gazing
thoughtfully out of the window which faced the main highway.

"Come with me, Nan," she at length ordered. "Let us go for a short
walk."

Somewhat surprised, but asking no questions, Nan accompanied her sister
out of the house, through the garden and along the road leading to the
highway. Nell kept a careful watch on both sides of the road, and when
they at last came to the spot where the fight had taken place, she
espied two hats lying in the ditch. Near by were two stout cudgels.

"This is where the fight took place," Nell quietly remarked, as she
pointed to the hats and the sticks. "They belong to Tom and Billy, if
I am not much mistaken."

"But they said it was on the main road where they were attacked," Nan
replied.

"Then they must be lying. There is the proof where the fight took
place. And why was it here?" she asked.

"I don't know, do you?"

"I think I do. Billy and Tom were lying in wait for Mr. Handyman last
night, and attacked him as he was coming from our house."

"Oh, do you think so? What would they do that for?"

"Perhaps they were obeying orders. But we shall find out later. Let
us take those hats and sticks and keep them; they may be needed later."

"Oh, I believe I know," Nan exclaimed, now much excited. "They are Si
Stubbles' men, and he got them to attack my musician. Wasn't it mean
of him! And then to think that Billy and Tom would lie and throw the
blame on an innocent man."

Nell was very quiet during the rest of the day. She went about her
work as usual, but her m