luntary information was entirely unexpected. He
had never for an instant imagined that the man would dare make such a
statement. His momentary consternation gave way to furious anger and
he at once hurried up the aisle.

"What in h---- are you giving us?" he demanded from Tom. "What do you
mean by bringing my name into this affair?"

Tom stared in amazement at the irate man before him, for he could
hardly believe his senses. Then his eyes blazed with indignation as he
grasped the significance of the scoundrel's words.

"I've been givin' the truth, Ben Stubbles," he replied, "an' ye know it
as well as we do."

"You lie," and Ben stamped hard upon the floor in his rage. "You were
beastly drunk, got into trouble, and then lay the blame on me. That's
a nice way to do things."

Douglas could hardly control himself at these brazen words. Jake,
sitting by his side, was wriggling and muttering many "Great punkins!"
under his breath. In fact, the entire assembly was becoming restless
and ready for almost anything. But Tom remained remarkably calm. He
took a step forward and faced the Squire.

"Ye hear what Ben says, sir," he began, "an' ye've heard what we've
said. It's six to one, an' we're ready to swear any time on the Good
Book that what we've told ye is true. Which d'ye believe; him or us?"

The Squire now was in a worse fix than ever. He mopped his perspiring
forehead with a big handkerchief and looked helplessly around. He
longed for the platform to open and swallow him up. But no such
miraculous relief was granted. The issue was before him, and he knew
he had to face it.

"I--I think I shall reserve judgment," he stammered, "until I have
given this matter due consideration."

"But we want ye to decide now, sir," Tom insisted. "We want to know
what ye're goin' to do before we leave the hall. It's six to one, an'
any kid could figger that out, without waitin'."

"Hear, hear," came from several in the room.

"But I must have time to think it out carefully," the Squire replied.
"You were drunk when you made the attack, and it was easy then for you
to imagine almost anything."

"But we weren't drunk, sir, when Ben met us that night, an' gave us the
whiskey, an' told us what to do, was we?" and he turned to his
companions.

"No, no," came as one from the lined-up men.

As Squire Hawkins' eyes wandered first from the six men to Ben and then
back again in an uncertain manner, an idea suddenly