Part 7 (1/2)
”He paid it to me just before supper time.”
”Did he say anything about where he got it?”
”Why, no. Why do you ask?”
”I have my reasons, Will. Will you let me see the bill?”
”What's the trouble?” asked Will d.i.c.ks, and his father stepped into the doorway to hear what the young bridge tender might have to say.
”I would like to see the bill, that is all.”
”But, can't you tell me what the trouble is?” insisted Will d.i.c.ks.
”Maybe Ralph intends to accuse Percy of obtaining it feloniously,” put in Uriah d.i.c.ks, cautiously. ”Speak up, boy, and let us know what's in your mind.”
”I would rather not say, Mr. d.i.c.ks. I wish to look at the bill, that is all.”
”Well, if you can't tell me of the trouble, I don't know as I will let you see that bill,” returned Uriah, sourly.
”And what is your objection?”
”I ain't a-going to be accommodating to a boy that puts me off in the dark.”
”It may save you some trouble, Mr. d.i.c.ks.”
”What, me? What do you mean?” and the general storekeeper turned slightly pale.
”Just what I say! If you won't let me see the bill, I'll have to go further for my information.”
”Oh, of course I ain't scared to show you this bill, Ralph,” returned Uriah, hurriedly. ”Say!” he burst out, excitedly. ”It's a good bill, ain't it?”
”It ought to be, if it's the one I think it is,” replied the young bridge tender.
Going to his desk in the rear of the store, Uriah brought out a tin box and unlocked it. From a long, flat wallet, he drew several bills.
”There's the bill Percy Paget gave to Will,” he said, as he handed over the banknote.
There was but a single oil-lamp left burning in the store, and to this Ralph walked and examined the bill. There was his banknote, true enough, with the grease spot from the sandwich in one corner.
”Well, what do you make out?” questioned Uriah, with breathless interest.
”I make out that this bill belongs to me,” returned Ralph, boldly.
”To you!” exclaimed both father and son, in one voice.
”Yes, sir, to me.”
”But Percy gave me this bill,” said Will d.i.c.ks. ”He didn't steal it from you, did he?”