, and that Benoni
Hill would be mighty glad to get such a good offer."

"That's all right," said Quincy, "but I happen to know a man that's
going to bid on that grocery store and he will have it if he has to bid
as high as five thousand dollars, and he is ready to put down the solid
cash for it without any notes."

The Deacon glanced up at Quincy, and the sly look in his eye was more
pronounced than ever, while the smile on his face very much resembled a
grin.

"I guess it must be some outside feller that is a-going to buy it
then," said the Deacon, "for I don't believe there is a man in
Eastborough that would put up five thousand dollars in cold cash for
that grocery store, unless he considered that he was paying for
something besides groceries when he bought it."

"Well, I don't think, Deacon," continued Quincy, "that we need go
further into particulars; I think we understand each other; all is, you
come up to the auction this afternoon, and if the place is knocked down
to Strout I will let you have the five hundred dollars that I have here
in my pocket; besides, it would have been poor business policy for you
to let him have the money on that note before the sale; for if the store
was not sold to him you could not get back your money until the note
became due."

"That's so," assented the Deacon. "Well, I've got to get home, cuz I
promised to meet him by twelve o'clock."

"So have I," said Quincy, "for I have got to see the man who is going to
buy the grocery store and fix up a few business matters with him."

Both men left the bank and got into their respective teams, which were
standing in front of the building.

"Which road are you going, Deacon?" asked Quincy.

"Waal, I guess, for appearance's sake, Mr. Sawyer, you better go on the
straight road, while I'll take the curved one. Yer know the curved one
leads right up to my barn door."

"Yes, I know," said Quincy, "I found that out last night;" and the two
men parted.

Quincy made quick time on his homeward trip. As he neared the Pettengill
house he saw Cobb's twins and Hiram standing in front of the barn. He
drove up and threw the reins to Bill Cobb, saying, "I shall want the
team again right after dinner;" and turning to Hiram, be said, "Come
down to Jacob's Parlor, I want to have a little talk with you."

They entered the large wood shed that Ezekiel's father had called by
the quaint name just referred to, and took their old seats, Quincy in
the a