gled with uneasy fear.

"Come in! I have something to say to you. It is better said in-doors,
where no passer-by can hear it."

Mechanically Squire Marlowe followed John Barton into the little
sitting-room. Mrs. Barton looked up from her rocking-chair in surprise
and apprehension, and half rose.

"Stay where you are, Mary," said her husband. "I wish you to hear what I
am about to say to Albert Marlowe."

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

MR. BARTON DEFIES THE SQUIRE.

Squire Marlowe sat down, while John Barton, instead of quailing in his
presence, eyed him with cool indifference.

"What is the meaning of this tomfoolery?" asked Albert Marlowe,
uneasily.

"You may call it what you like, but the time has come for an
explanation. Albert Marlowe, you have done me a cruel wrong. It is
through you that I have had my name blackened and have been forced to
fly from my country."

"So you went to Canada, did you?" sneered the squire. "It's a popular
resort for gentlemen of your class."

"Your words do not trouble me, for I never committed the crime with
which I was charged."

"Of course not. It is wonderful how innocent you all are. But you say
that I am responsible for the consequences of your crime. What do you
mean by that?"

"I mean," answered Barton, with a penetrating glance, "that the bonds
were stolen by you, and that you schemed to throw the blame upon me. Is
this plain?"

"Are you mad?" said the squire, angrily, "do you expect the world to
believe this, or are you in a conspiracy to blackmail me?"

"The last question you can ask when I demand money from you as the price
of my silence."

"Take care, John Barton! Your silly tale is the last desperate expedient
of a criminal. You ought to see the folly of attacking a man in my
position. For years I have been the most prominent man in Lakeville,
owner of the large shoe factory that gives employment to fifty hands. It
is no idle boast--and your wife will confirm my words--that I am the
most influential and respected citizen of this town."

"And on what are your position and prosperity based, Albert Marlowe?
Where did you obtain the capital that enabled you to start in
business?"

Squire Marlowe looked confused for a moment, but his audacity did not
desert him.

"I started," he answered, "on borrowed money."

"Of whom did you borrow?"

"That is my affair," returned Marlowe, doggedly.

"You would find it hard to answer. Let me answer for you."

The squi