"Poor Adin is clean upset!" she murmured. "It isn't enough that he's lost his money, he must lose his mind too. Misfortunes never come singly, as my poor old father used to say. "Dean," she continued when they were alone, "your uncle still sticks to his story that Squire Bates robbed him." "Aunt Sarah," answered Dean gravely, "a thousand dollars would tempt almost anybody!" "Dean, you don't mean to hint that the squire would rob anybody!" "I don't know, aunt. A good many strange things happen in the world." "I begin to think you are as crazy as your uncle!" said Mrs. Dunham almost angrily. "Suppose neither of us should be crazy, aunt!" Mrs. Dunham shook her head. She was surprised that so sensible a boy as Dean should give credence to the absurd delusion of her husband. Meanwhile Dean had come to a conclusion as to what to do. He would visit the place where the robbery took place—his uncle had described it so accurately that there would be no mistaking it—and see whether there was anything to be learned there. He found an opportunity the very next afternoon. He did not say anything to his aunt, for it would only have excited her unduly. Besides, he thought it very possible that he would have to return without any information, and might be laughed at. It was a considerable walk to the place indicated, but he reached it in due time. He was afraid he would meet some one who would ask him his object, but it was a lonely spot, and only one team passed. He saw it in time to dodge into the woods, and so avoided questioning. When the team had passed on he came out to the road. He could see the exact position of the buggy at the time it was stopped by the robber, and he found the tree under which his uncle was placed in an unconscious condition. "I have satisfied my curiosity," he said to himself, "but that is all. I haven't got any information." Just then his sharp eyes fell upon a small bright object on the ground about three feet from the tree. He pounced upon it eagerly and picked it up. It was a sleeve button, apparently gold. Just in the center was a black initial letter. This letter was B! Dean's eyes lighted up. "This may lead to something," he said to himself quietly, as he slipped the button into his pocket. CHAPTER VIII. WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE WOOD. "B stands for Bates," said Dean to himself. "Perhaps Uncle Adin may not be so far wrong after all. But how strange it would be if a rich and prominent man like Squire Bates should have stooped to such a crime! I find it very hard to believe." Dean's perplexed look gave place to one of firm determination. "I mean to look up this matter," he said resolutely, "and if my uncle has been robbed of his little fortune by this man, I'll bring him to justice if I can." Scarcely had this purpose been formed when he heard the sound of wheels, and not caring to be found by one who might ask curious questions, he concealed himself behind a tree.