t the cabin, "but likely the
boy didn't tell her. I'll have to have some dealings with him shortly.
He shall learn that he cannot defy me."

John Trafton, giving up the search, took his way to the village, and, as
a matter of course, started directly for the tavern.

He entered the barroom and called for a drink.

Mr. Jones did not show his usual alacrity in waiting upon him.

"Trafton," said he, "where is that dollar you promised to pay me this
morning?"

"Haven't got it," answered the fisherman, rather embarrassed. "I'll
bring it to-morrow morning."

"Then to-morrow morning you may call for a drink."

"You ain't going back on me, Mr. Jones?" asked John Trafton in alarm.

"You are going back on me, as I look at it. You promised to bring me a
dollar and you haven't done it."

"I'll tell you how it is, Mr. Jones. My nephew, Robert, has the money,
but he was gone when I woke up this morning. I shall see him to-night
and give you the money."

"You needn't wait till then. I saw Robert pass here only half an hour
ago. He's somewhere in the village. Find him and get the money and then
I'll talk with you."

There was no appeal from this decision and Trafton, angry and sullen,
left the tavern to look for Robert.

CHAPTER VIII

ROBERT BECOMES A PRISONER

One of the most tasteful houses in Cook's Harbor was occupied in summer
by the family of Theodore Irving, a Boston lawyer, who liked to have his
wife and children in the country, though his business required him to
spend a part of the hot season in the city.

The oldest son, Herbert, was about a year younger than Robert, a lively
boy, fond of manly sports and thoroughly democratic in his tastes. He
had scraped acquaintance with our hero, making the first advances, for
Robert was not disposed to intrude his company where he was not sure it
would be acceptable.

When Robert came to the village to avoid meeting his uncle. In passing
by the house of Mr. Irving he attracted the attention of Herbert, who
was sitting on the edge of the piazza.

With him was another boy of about his own age, a cousin named George
Randolph. He had come to Cook's Harbor to spend a fortnight with his
cousin, but the latter soon found that George was very hard to
entertain.

He was seldom willing to engage in any amusement selected by his cousin,
but always had some plan of his own to propose. Moreover, he was proud
of his social position and always looked down upon boys whose