at it before he presented it to the paying-teller, he found
that it was for one hundred and twenty-five dollars.

"How will you have it?" asked the teller.

"Twenty-five dollars in small bills; the rest in fives and tens,"
answered Andy, as instructed by Mr. Gale.

The bills were counted out and placed in his hands. To Andy they seemed
a large sum of money, and, indeed, the roll was big enough to convey
that impression.

As he left the bank he saw the familiar but not welcome face of the
tramp who had stopped him glued against the pane. He had attended to
some errands before going to the bank, which allowed the fellow time to
reach it in season to watch him.

"I wonder if he saw me putting away the bills?" thought Andy.

However, in a town like Benton, there was little chance of robbery.

The tramp looked at him with evil significance as he left the bank.

"Give me a dollar," he said.

"I can't," answered Andy.

"I saw you with a big roll of bills."

"They are not mine."

"Give me enough to buy a dinner, then," growled the tramp.

"Why should I give you anything? You threw a stone at me on the road."

The tramp turned away muttering, and the glance with which he eyed Andy
was far from friendly.

As directed, Andy went over to the hotel and got dinner. He took the
opportunity to dispose of the bills, putting all the large ones in his
inside vest pocket. The small bills he distributed among his other
pockets.

Andy started for home at two o'clock. He felt some responsibility,
remembering that he had a considerable sum of money with him.

This made him anxious, and he felt that he should be glad to get home
safe and deliver his funds to Mr. Gale. Probably he would not have
thought of danger if he had not met the tramp on his way over.

The road for the most part was clear and open, but there was one
portion, perhaps a third of a mile in length, bordered by trees and
underbrush. It was so short, however, that it would be soon passed over.

But about the middle of it a man sprang from the side of the road and
seized the horse by the bridle. It did not require a second look to
satisfy Andy that it was the tramp.

The crisis had come! Andy's heart was in his mouth. He was a brave boy,
but it might well make even an older person nervous to be stopped by an
ill-looking tramp, who was without doubt a criminal.

"Let go that bridle!" called Andy in a tone which, in spite of his
nervousness, was clear and