"Where have you been to-day?" said he, after his gaze had vibrated for some time between me and the floor.
"Buck, have you got any money?" he added, sharply, and putting the question as a home thrust at me.
"Yes, sir, I have," I replied, startled by the inquiry; for it was evident to me now that the storm was coming in the shape of a tempest.
"I haven't got any of your money," I answered.
If Ham could rob the mail, it would not be a very hard step for him to take to rob his father's pocket-book; and I began to think he had done so, charging the crime upon me.
"I didn't say you had got any of my money," added Captain Fishley. "I asked you how much you had."
"No matter what I want to know for. Why don't you answer me?"
"Because I don't choose to answer you," I replied, saucily.
I felt innocent, and I could not tell him anything about my money without exposing his brother. He made a movement towards me, and I thought he was going to seize me by the collar. I jumped over the counter, for I had all my money in my pocket, and I did not care about being searched.
"Will you tell me how much money you have got, or shall I send for the constable?" he continued.
"You may send for the constable, if you like; but I haven't any money that belongs to you, or anybody but myself."
"Yes, you have! You have been robbing the mail!" retorted my tyrant, fiercely.
Robbing the mail! I saw through the mill-stone. The postmaster had heard from Miss Larrabee, or her brother, in regard to the missing letter, and I was accused of purloining it! No doubt Captain Fishley thought I was the robber. Probably Ham had charged the crime upon me, and his father was willing to believe him.
"I have not robbed the mail," I replied, smartly.
"Yes, you did; and I can prove it. You had better own it, and give back the money."
"What's the use to deny it, Buck?" said he, more mildly. "If you will own it, and give back the money, I will try and make it as easy as I can for you."
"I tell you I didn't take the money, and I won't own it when I didn't do it."
"Well, just as you like, Buck. If you won't give up the money, I shall have to hand you over to the constable, and see what he can do."
"You may hand me over to the constable as much as you please. Neither he nor anybody else can make me own up to what I didn't do."