l this afternoon," began
Ralph, hardly knowing how to open the conversation.

"He paid it to me just before supper time."

"Did he say anything about where he got it?"

"Why, no. Why do you ask?"

"I have my reasons, Will. Will you let me see the bill?"

"What's the trouble?" asked Will Dicks, and his father stepped into the
doorway to hear what the young bridge tender might have to say.

"I would like to see the bill, that is all."

"But, can't you tell me what the trouble is?" insisted Will Dicks.

"Maybe Ralph intends to accuse Percy of obtaining it feloniously," put in
Uriah Dicks, cautiously. "Speak up, boy, and let us know what's in your
mind."

"I would rather not say, Mr. Dicks. I wish to look at the bill, that is
all."

"Well, if you can't tell me of the trouble, I don't know as I will let you
see that bill," returned Uriah, sourly.

"And what is your objection?"

"I ain't a-going to be accommodating to a boy that puts me off in the
dark."

"It may save you some trouble, Mr. Dicks."

"What, me? What do you mean?" and the general storekeeper turned slightly
pale.

"Just what I say! If you won't let me see the bill, I'll have to go further
for my information."

"Oh, of course I ain't scared to show you this bill, Ralph," returned
Uriah, hurriedly. "Say!" he burst out, excitedly. "It's a good bill, ain't
it?"

"It ought to be, if it's the one I think it is," replied the young bridge
tender.

Going to his desk in the rear of the store, Uriah brought out a tin box and
unlocked it. From a long, flat wallet, he drew several bills.

"There's the bill Percy Paget gave to Will," he said, as he handed over the
banknote.

There was but a single oil-lamp left burning in the store, and to this
Ralph walked and examined the bill. There was his banknote, true enough,
with the grease spot from the sandwich in one corner.

"Well, what do you make out?" questioned Uriah, with breathless interest.

"I make out that this bill belongs to me," returned Ralph, boldly.

"To you!" exclaimed both father and son, in one voice.

"Yes, sir, to me."

"But Percy gave me this bill," said Will Dicks. "He didn't steal it from
you, did he?"

"I haven't anything to say about that. But it's my bill, just the same."

"You can't have the bill!" snarled Uriah, snatching it from Ralph's hand.
"Why, I never heard tell of such high-handed proceedings in my life
before!" he went on.

"You can keep the bill for the pre