ience, and attempted
such a bold scheme of fraud. He didn't feel in the least nervous, or
afraid to encounter the professor, though Riccabocca was a man and he
but a boy. When all was ready, Philip entered through the front
door, which was open, and, turning into the office, stood before the
astonished professor.

The latter started in dismay at the sight of our hero. He thought he
might be quietly eating breakfast ten miles away, unsuspiciously waiting
for his return. Was his brilliant scheme to fail? He quickly took his
resolution--a foolish one. He would pretend not to know Philip.

"Well, Professor Riccabocca," Philip said, in a sarcastic tone, "you
took rather a long walk this morning."

The professor looked at him vacantly.

"Were you addressing me?" he inquired.

"Yes, sir," answered Philip, justly provoked.

"I haven't the pleasure of your acquaintance, young man."

"I wish I hadn't the pleasure of yours," retorted Philip.

"Do you come here to insult me?" demanded Riccabocca, frowning.

"I came here to demand my share of the money received for the
entertainment last evening, as well as the money paid for the hall, the
printer, and bill-poster."

"You must be crazy!" said Riccabocca, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't
know you. I don't owe you any money."

"Do you mean to say we didn't give an entertainment together last
evening at Wilkesville?" asked Philip, rather taken aback by the man's
sublime impudence.

"My young friend, you have been dreaming. Prove what you say and I will
admit your claim."

Up to this point those present, deceived by the professor's coolness,
really supposed him to be in the right. That was what Riccabocca
anticipated, and hoped to get off before the discovery of the truth
could be made. But he did not know that Philip had a competent witness
at hand.

"Mr. Gates!" called Philip.

The portly landlord of the Wilkesville Hotel entered the room, and
Riccaboeca saw that the game was up.

"Mr. Gates, will you be kind enough to convince this gentleman that he
owes me money?" asked Philip.

"I think he won't deny it now," said Gates significantly. "He walked
off from my hotel this morning, leaving his bill unpaid. Professor
Riccabocca, it strikes me you had better settle with us, unless you wish
to pass the night in the lockup."

Professor Riccabocca gave a forced laugh.

"Why, Mr. de Gray," he said, "you ought to have known that I was only
playing a trick on you."