ron Woodward's unexpected statement. I knew that when he announc

cious of having done him any injury, either bodily or otherwise. Indeed, of late I had hardly seen the

tment. For the instant he eyed me as if he intended to spring upon me and choke the life out of my body, and involuntarily I shrank back. But th

Aaron Woodward, turning to Judge Penfold; "a most accomplished

Mr. Woodward?" I demanded,

, you young rascal!" puffed the merchant. "Oh,

fer to the way I treated Duncan this morning, why all I've

ir than a boy's quarrel. Don't let him escape, Parsons"-t

arson's reply. "He's

the merchant quickly. "Th

poke up Judge Penfold. "I do not think he had any

ney! What d

ined the situation. "Isn't this wh

you can make up your mind that Strong's story is purely fiction. He

don't care what you or any one may say! Some da

ver, the community at large had better keep a sharp eye on

tra

A likely

His name was

n St

ttered the name, all th

ou," I went on, my curiosity amused

of such a man," cried Mr. Woodwar

ked Judge Penfold, impatiently, probably tired

chant h

ou about the matter in

of," I cried, "Every one who is arrested has a right t

y, Judge Penfold; q

hy you want me lock

nfold to the rear end of the hall and began to spe

dge say presently. "Come into the l

e gone nearly quarter of an hour-a long wait for me. I wondered what could be th

a trifle sterner than before. Mr. Woodward looked

ce," said the judge to Parsons "and tel

s,

Woodward, anxiously. "Don't let him

dy answer. "I never had one

a pair of ancient handcuffs, one of which he

e it easy," he said. "No

mething about this," I p

n Judge Penfold, pompously. "I

ut

. Parsons, t

ered Mr. Woodward in my ear as

ere rare, and by the time we reached the jail we had a goodly f

oney," I heard one man whispe

fter his father. I always knew t

med Booth, who filled in his spare time by doing odd jobs of carpentering in the shop downstairs. We found him hard at w

r; arrested

would like to k

him what was to be done, and

kon I'll have to nail down some of the windows u

ply. "I'm being treated unfairly,

rything as tight as a

some nails, with which he secured the

he said. "Just wait, Parsons, ti

eft me, closing and locking the door

stood in one corner of the floor. Pulling

rd had brought against me. Yet such had been his earnestness

meditations. I recognized Kate's voice, and

ld say, and catching me by t

" I said. "Make sure it will

ke-like a thief! Oh, R

I'm not afraid of the result. Have th

t are after him, but he seems to have disappe

heard from

her a letter and just

it till day a

say? Oh, Roger,

know she'll take my word now. She is not so narro

ed dollars! We can never make it

e called upon to ma

t to," put in

did. The widow has alwa

must you s

ng as Judge Penfold

could catch th

er reasons than th

r rea

Stumpy knew father well. And he was m

r, how do

that proved it. I have the letter in my pocket now

r! He was a cle

tumpy is, though, I

've seen before. Let me see

it out, it is so badly wri

eplied Kate.

pocket to do so. The