t
into first; and then I don't know that you will want them to see me,"
replied Bobtail, blushing.

"A scrape?"

"Yes, sir."

"I hope you haven't been doing anything wrong."

"They say I have, but I have not. I am as innocent as you are, sir. I
thought I would come up and tell you about it, as I was here. Mother did
not send me."

"She did not?"

"No, sir; she was rather opposed to my saying anything to you about the
scrape."

"Sit down, Captain Bobtail, and tell me all about it," said the colonel,
in kindly tones, though there was an anxious expression on his face.

Little Bobtail told the whole story about the letter and the five
hundred dollar bill.

"And your mother paid this same bill to Mr. Gilfilian?" asked Colonel
Montague, very much troubled.

"Yes, sir. The squire wanted to know where she got the bill, and she
won't tell," added Bobtail.

"She won't tell!" echoed the colonel; and there was an expression of
relief in his face.

"She won't give even the slightest hint; and because she wouldn't
explain it, Squire Gilfilian caused her to be arrested. They said that
both of us will be sent to the state prison for stealing this money."

"That's bad."

"I know it is, sir; but I didn't take the letter; and I know mother came
honestly by the money."

"I know she did, too," added the colonel. "When does this examination
take place?"

"It was postponed till next Tuesday, at ten o'clock."

"Very well, Captain Bobtail. I know where your mother obtained the
money."

"You, sir!" exclaimed Bobtail.

"I do; and I will be in Camden next Tuesday to tell all I know about
it."

"Thank you, sir; you are very kind."

"Of course I shall not let your mother be convicted of stealing. I know
nothing about the letter; and therefore I can do nothing for you,
Captain Bobtail."

"If you clear my mother you will clear me. If we can only tell where the
money came from, we shall be all right."

"Don't give yourself any uneasiness at all about it. I will certainly be
present at the examination."

"But are you sure you know where my mother got the bill, sir?" asked
Bobtail.

"Certainly, I do; and she came honestly by it. But as this is her
affair, I don't feel at liberty to say anything about it yet."

Little Bobtail was confounded by this sudden solution of the mystery. If
Colonel Montague knew where his mother had obtained the bill, it was
plain enough to him that he had given it to her himself. He could