There was a little fire burning on the ground,
and some old boards leaning against a log,



Maine, I am not a man who trifles. If you
bring me seven hundred dollars within three
days, you will never see me again. I will go
West, and send you a copy of the divorce pa-
pers, so that you can marry your wife legally
and all right. But if you don't, I shall go and
see her ; and if she and I, or her folks and I,
meet, that is the end of it. I shall claim her
and have my rights. You can take your
choice. There it is, and I mean just what I
say. If you have any change with you to bind
the bargain, that will be our contract.'

" I do not claim to be unusually bright,"
said Mr. Toby, looking keenly at me and then
at Cookie ; " but when I heard that speech I
comprehended. The words and manner, and
everything about it, seemed like a dime-novel.
It was anything but natural. And I claim
that the fact that I was sitting by a miserable,
lying, thieving vagabond was made just as
plain to me that minute, as though I had
known him a thousand years. The whole
thing flashed upon me, as if I had been struck
by lightning. The folks will try to have it to



I don't know, but I dare say he was acquainted
with Amos in the army. It is queer all round.
