Dean stared at the squire in amazement. He had not foreseen this crafty explanation, and though he utterly disbelieved in its truth, he saw no way of discrediting it. The bomb which he anticipated exploding to the squire's utter confusion in the light of this statement appeared a very innocent and harmless one indeed. He kept silent, but the cunning squire with pleasure noted his discomfiture. Dean was almost inclined to ask himself if this could be the real explanation when the thought of his uncle's description of the robber occurred to him. But on this point he did not think it would do any good at present to speak. "I wish," added the squire with a smile, "you had found both the sleeve buttons, as I would in that case have asked your acceptance of them." "They are marked B," objected Dean. "True; I did not think of that. Let me then ask your acceptance of a small reward," and Squire Bates drew from his pocket a silver dollar. But Dean shrank back. He was convinced in spite of all that Squire Bates was the robber of Adin Dunham, and he didn't feel willing to accept any favor at his hands. "Thank you," he answered, "but I don't care to make money." "Perhaps you have all the money you want," said the squire, with a sneer which he did not quite succeed in repressing. "Money is very scarce with all of us, Squire Bates," said Dean, gravely, "but I would rather earn what I get. If you will give me the button I will accept it." "What good will it do you?" demanded the Squire, suspiciously. "Probably none at all. But if this tramp should be found, and proved to have the other button, it would be good evidence against him, wouldn't it?" "Just so!" said the squire, after a pause. "Well, you may keep it." "Thank you, sir." "I won't detain you any longer, if you wish to go," continued the squire, politely. "Perhaps you would like to remain awhile with Brandon." "If Brandon invites me to stay I will do so," answered Dean. "Very well." Dean left the room, and out in the yard he found Brandon, awaiting his appearance with evident curiosity. "Well," he said, "did pa haul you over the coals?" "Why should he? I did him a favor, didn't I, in finding his sleeve button?" "Then he said it was his?" "Yes." "Did he ask you why you didn't bring it to him before?" "No, he treated me with great politeness, and asked me to accept the sleeve button." "What?" Dean repeated his statement. "But if you keep this the other won't be any good to him." "He says both sleeve buttons were stolen from him the day before my uncle's robbery by a tramp—that is, he thinks it was a tramp." "Jehu! That's the first I ever heard of it," said Brandon, in great surprise. "Just as I thought," said Dean to himself. "Your father can probably give you all the particulars," he added aloud. "But you haven't told me where you found it, Dean." "Your father can tell you that too."