should like to pass the night at your house, Mr. Bickford. After
breakfast I will pay you for your accommodations, and go----"

"Where?"

"You must excuse my telling you that. I have formed some plans, but I do
not care to have my uncle know them."

"Are you going to work for anybody?" asked the blacksmith, whose
curiosity was aroused.

"Yes, I have a place secured."

"Is it on a farm?"

"No."

"You're mighty mysterious, it seems to me. Now you've had your say, I've
got something to tell you."

"Very well, Mr. Bickford."

"You say you're not goin' to work for me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I say you _are_ goin' to work for me. I've got your uncle's
authority to set you to work, and I'm goin' to do it."

Kit heard this calmly.

"Suppose we postpone the discussion of the matter," he said. "Is that
your house?"

Aaron Bickford's answer was to drive into the yard of a cottage. On the
side opposite was a blacksmith's forge.

"That's where you're goin' to work!" he said, grimly, pointing to the
forge.

CHAPTER IX.

KIT MAKES A NEW ACQUAINTANCE.

Grafton, where Barlow's circus was billed to appear on Saturday, was
only six miles farther on. Oakford was about half way, so that in
accompanying the blacksmith to his home, Kit had accomplished about half
the necessary journey. Now that he had undeceived the blacksmith as to
his intention of staying he felt at ease in his mind. It was his plan to
remain over night in the house and pursue his journey early the next
day.

"Are these all the clo'es you brought with you?" asked Bickford,
surveying Kit's neat and rather expensive suit with disapproval.

"Yes. Am I not well enough dressed for a blacksmith?" asked Kit, with a
smile.

"You're a plaguy sight too well dressed," returned Bickford. "You want a
good rough suit, for the forge is a dirty place."

"I thought I told you I did not intend to work for you, Mr. Bickford."

"That's what you said, but I don't take no stock in it. Your uncle has
bound you out to me, and that settles it."

"If he has bound me out, where are the papers, Mr. Bickford?" asked Kit,
keenly.

This question was a poser. The blacksmith supposed that Kit might be
ignorant that papers were required, but he found himself mistaken.

"There ain't no papers, but that don't make no difference," he said. "He
says you're to work for me, and I'm goin' to hold you to it."

Kit did not reply, for he saw no advantage in discussion.

"