ehead, and he hesitated to
reply. Finally an inspiration came to him, and he said, "I picked it up
in the street, near the grocery store. The thief must have dropped it."

"You didn't tell me that when you paid it to me."

"No, I didn't think it necessary. I was anxious to get out of debt to
you."

"Percy Marlowe, that statement of yours won't pass muster. Weren't you
in the grocery store last evening?"

"No--yes," stammered Percy.

"And you saw this bill on Mr. Jones's desk--yes or no?"

"I don't see what right you have to question me," said Percy sullenly.

"Because you have paid me stolen money, and if I keep it I am likely to
get into trouble. Indeed, I came very near it this morning. I was on the
point of paying it to Mr. Holbrook for my board. You can imagine that he
would have recognized it at once."

"I don't see as you are to blame."

"No, I am not; but if the bill were known to be in my possession, the
only thing I could do would be to state from whom I received it."

"You wouldn't do that!" said Percy, in alarm.

"I should have to. But I don't mean to run the risk. I will give you
back the bill, and you must return me the ten dollars I gave you in
change."

"But what can I do with the bill?"

"That is your lookout. Of course you will still owe me ten dollars."

Reluctantly Percy drew out the ten dollars he had received in change,
not having yet spent any of it, and Reginald Ward gave him back the
unlucky bill. Percy thrust it quickly into his vest pocket.

"Now, Percy," said Reginald, "let me advise you as a friend to get that
bill out of your possession as soon as possible. If it is traced to you,
you will get into hot water."

"I can't pass it here."

"You have no right to pass it anywhere."

"You could pass it in New York."

Reginald Ward considered a moment, but shook his head. "No, it would be
too dangerous," he said. "It might be traced to me, and it would be
known that I have been in Lakeville. I should have to expose you to
screen myself."

"Then what would you advise me to do?"

"Get it back to Mr. Jones in some way. Here, take an envelope, inclose
the bill, and mark the grocer's name on it. Then drop it somewhere, and
the thing will be done; Jones will be happy and you will be safe."

"All right!"

Percy followed Reginald's advice, and then put the letter in his
pocket.

"When are you going back to New York?" he asked.

"To-morrow. I will leave you my address, and ho