ulated the doctor eagerly.

"What letter? What money?" said Sir James.

"That money I sent by Bob Dimsted, sir, to put in your letter-box."

"I never received any money," cried Sir James. "You sent some money!"

"Yes, sir; before we took the boat, sir."

"Ah!" ejaculated the doctor again.

"And you sent it by this boy?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then where is the money?" cried Sir James, turning upon Bob.

"I dunno, sir. I never had no money."

"You did, Bob, in a letter I gave you," cried Dexter excitedly.

"Oh!" ejaculated Bob, with an astonished look. "Well, if ever!"

"This is getting interesting," said Sir James. "Now, sir, where's that
money?"

"He never give me none, sir," cried Bob indignantly. "I never see no
letter."

"You did. The one I threw across the river to you!" said Dexter.

"Oh, what a cracker!" cried Bob. "I never had no letter, gen'lemen, and
I never see no money. Why don't you tell the truth, and the kind
gentlemen won't be so hard on you?"

"I am telling the truth," cried Dexter, "It was you asked me to take the
boat."

"Only hark at him!" cried Bob. "Why yer'd better say yer didn't take
all yer clothes off and swim acrost and get it."

"I did," said Dexter; "but you made me. You said you'd go."

"Oh, you can tell 'em!" cried Bob.

"And I did give you the money to take."

"Oh, well, I've done," said Bob. "I never did hear a chap tell lies
like you can!"

"I think that will do," said Sir James, with a side glance at the
doctor, who sat with his brows knit, listening. "Now, you will both go
back to the room where you are to sleep, and I warn you that if you
attempt to escape, so surely will you be taken by the police, and then
this matter will assume a far more serious aspect. You, my men, will
have charge of these two boys till the morning. They are not to speak
to each other, and I look to you to take them safely back to Coleby by
the early train. That will do."

Dexter darted one glance at the doctor, but his face was averted.

"Please, sir," he began.

"Silence!" cried Sir James. "I think Dr Grayson understands your
character now, and I must say I never heard a more cowardly attempt to
fasten a fault upon another. No: not a word. Go!"

Bob Dimsted was already outside with Dan'l's knuckles in the back of his
neck.

Peter was more gentle with his prisoner as he led him away.

"You've been and done it now, young fellow," he said. "I would ha' told
the t