ow
morning. Meanwhile, Mr. Jones, will you hand the twenty-dollar bill in
dispute to officer Drake?"

"Why should I? The bill is mine," said the merchant sullenly.

"That remains to be proved. Do I understand that you refuse to give up
the bill?"

"I do?" answered Jones doggedly.

"Then I will apply at once for a warrant for your arrest for holding
property belonging to my young client," said Mr. Conway.

CHAPTER XII.

MR. JONES IS EXCITED.

The astonishment and wrath of Mr. Jones were almost ludicrous as he
stared at the lawyer, who, cool and composed, reiterated his threat.

"I never heard of such a thing!" he gasped. "You take my own money from
me?"

"It remains to be proved whether it is your own money. The boy says it
is his."

"The boy lies."

"Really, Mr. Jones, I cannot allow you to make such charges against my
client, unless you are ready to substantiate them by proof."

"It stands to reason," began Mr. Jones, but the young lawyer interrupted
him.

"Nothing stands to reason that you can't prove," he said. "We will give
you an opportunity to prove your ownership of the bill to-morrow in
court. Now hand the bill to officer Drake."

Very much against his will, Mr. Jones felt compelled to do this.

"Isn't the boy going to be arrested?" he demanded, with an ugly look at
Bert.

"It is unnecessary. You can bring a formal charge against him before
Squire Marlowe to-morrow."

"The boy may escape during the night. I won't trust him."

There was a murmur of disapproval among those present. All liked Bert,
and Mr. Jones, from his quick temper and ugly disposition, was by no
means a favorite. The store-keeper saw that it would not be good policy
to insist upon Bert's arrest, and he said, sullenly, "I will hold you
responsible for his presence at the trial."

Mr. Conway smiled.

"If he is not present, I will myself see that you do not suffer in
consequence. Besides, flight would be tantamount to confession, and the
case would go against him by default."

"And should I in that case get the twenty-dollar bill?"

"I will take it upon me to offer no opposition," said the lawyer.

"Now, can I go?" asked Bert.

"Yes; I will accompany you home for consultation."

Bert took the can of kerosene and was about to leave the store, when the
store-keeper said harshly: "Put down that kerosene! you haven't paid for
it!"

Bert flushed and looked embarrassed. It was true that he had not paid
for it