, nor did he have the money to pay, outside of the twenty-dollar
bill which had been taken from him.

"I have no money," he said. "I will leave it till to-morrow."

"How much is it, Mr. Jones?" asked Conway.

"Twenty-five cents."

"I will advance the money. Bert, take your can."

"You are very kind, Mr. Conway," said the boy gratefully.

"We will settle hereafter. Now let us be going."

In explanation of the price mentioned, I may say that kerosene is now
much cheaper than at the date of my story.

"Now, Bert," said Mr. Conway, "as your legal adviser I shall have to ask
you to tell me just where you obtained the bill you offered in payment
to Mr. Jones for the kerosene. I have no doubt of your innocence, but we
must make it plain to all who may attend the trial."

"I should like to have you come home with me, Mr. Conway. Mother will
confirm what I say."

"I shall be glad to do so. Will your mother be alarmed?"

"Yes, I think she will; but you can make things clear to her."

Mrs. Barton was indeed startled when she learned that Bert had been
charged with theft, but after a free talk with Mr. Conway she felt much
relieved.

"Your defence is perfect, I think," said the young lawyer. "Of course
Mr. Jones or his lawyer may claim that you wrote the letter yourself."

"Will it be necessary to send to Uncle Jacob and get him to testify?"

"I don't think so. I think your defence will be complete without it.
There is another point of considerable importance which I shall look up
to-night. If things turn out as I suspect they will, we shall not need
to disturb your Uncle Jacob."

At nine o'clock Mr. Conway took his leave and returned to the hotel. He
had a short conference with the landlord, which was evidently
satisfactory.

"I think we shall prove too many for Mr. Jones," he murmured softly, as
he went up to bed.

CHAPTER XIII.

PERCY GETS RID OF THE BILL.

When Percy Marlowe left the grocery store with the stolen bill in his
hand, he was tremulous with excitement and agitation. He felt that he
had committed a crime, and he was almost tempted to go back and replace
the money. But it was possible that its loss had already been
discovered, and he might be connected with it. He felt that it would be
safe to get as far away as possible from the store.

"Nobody will suspect me," he said to himself, plucking up courage.

Then there was the pleasant thought that he could pay up his debt to
Reginald W