Gridley whom he thought he could terr

big, bare oak on one of the winding, little-traveled stre

ly for young engaged couples who wanted to loiter

was usually deserted, being mo

ast walk. Fred looked both angry and worried. Tip, as soon as he caught sight of t

cheeks when he caught sight of

y on time," Tip i

d you mean by sending me a note like

nly g

n, fellow?" Riple

re, to let ye know wh

on re

began, stuttering a bit, but the ot

ey. D'ye hear? Me an' you used to b

e, Fred wince

he air of one who believed himself to be able to dictate

g about? What do you

ghty few words," Ripley

r my health--" Tip grinned in ghastly fashion 'ye hired

assented F

on, cunningly. "Ye hired me to steal some stuff from the coats o' the young gents that study there.

y, making no effort

ties," protested Fred Ripley, glancing apprehensively

y? Because I done my stretch for the trick, and there ain't nuthin' more comin' to me on that score.

ce darkened. He squirmed, yet fo

noon," Scammon continued. "I told ye I hoped ye'd find it convenient t

Ripley heir. "Now, what d

med Ripley, plaintivel

t got n

?" demanded Fred, his eyes opening wide in a

ed Tip, insolently. "How much did ye pay me for keeping m

nder that steady, half-

way, "ye think it's hard if I tell ye that I

your father,

have," Ti

ll do for me until I get a

d Ripley. "That's the surest way

tramp all the way out here, an' ask you for it.

nd your troubles. Here's a dollar f

ack, passing it over. Tip took

, old pal, ye'll have to be more sorry'n that. I'll

dn't take him more than an instant to realize th

Tip--on my honor," he

uestioned Scammon

't ten d

uch ha

red the boy. Fred went quickly through his pock

this, Tip," proposed F

cammon. "And ye'll meet me to-morrow aft'noon w

ve dollars again, as

, we

" leered Tip. "

red, trying to bluster, but ma

st out of prison, and I mean to enjoy myself restin' a few days befor

w where to g

it, but you've got to get it and hand it over to me to-morrow,

agreed Rip

e fail me ye'll have no further s

-somehow--that'll be the last of this business?

in' to bring me tomorrow

claims to date?

eed Scammon, grinning as tho

be any further deman

Scammon asserte

ise that,

omised the jailbi

ree o'clock to-morrow afternoon. You stop and look in the same window, but don't speak to me. If I can get the five I'll

eed Scammon

can detect the fact that you and I are meeting the

t," declared Tip Sca

the last money you'r

too," came readily en

to-morrow. Don't fo

Tip. "Ye don't want

and I'm good at

der the bare tree. But his gaze followed the vanishing figu

nough to suppose that that incident in his own life was closed. Fred had yet to learn that evil