"As soon as you restore to my uncle, with interest, the thousand dollars you stole from him nearly a year since." "What do you mean by this insolence?" demanded Squire Bates, springing to his feet and glaring at Dean. "I mean," answered Dean, slowly, "that I have the sworn testimony of Peter Kirby, given me at Denver, implicating you in that robbery." "Show it to me," said the squire, turning livid. "Here is a copy. The original is in the hands of a New York lawyer." Squire Bates took the paper in his trembling fingers, and read it deliberately. "This is a lie!" he exclaimed hoarsely. "The matter can come before the courts if you wish it. My uncle recognized you at the time of the robbery, but no one would believe his testimony. Fortunately, it will be substantiated now." "But this is the most utter absurdity. Does anybody believe that a man of my reputation would be implicated in a highway robbery?" "They will find it equally hard to believe that you are the captain of a band of robbers with headquarters in Colorado. I have been in the cave where your booty is congealed, and know what I am talking about." After fifteen minutes more the squire capitulated, only making it a condition that Dean would keep secret the serious discoveries which he had made. "I will do so, unless I am summoned to testify in court," said Dean. "Leave me to explain matters to your uncle," said the squire. Dean called the carpenter into the room. "Mr. Dunham," said Squire Bates with his old suavity, "I have arranged matters satisfactorily with your nephew. He has recovered the large sum of which you were robbed a year ago, and paid the mortgage, or is prepared to do so. Dean, if you will accompany me to my office we will arrange this affair." "But, who stole the money?" asked Adin Dunham, bewildered. "I promised not to tell," said Dean. "Was I right?" "Yes, yes, as long as you got the money back." Dean received the mortgage back canceled, and something over two hundred dollars besides, which he placed in his uncle's hands. Adin Dunham looked ten years younger, and his face was radiant. His joy was increased when Dean told him how he had prospered out West, and gave his aunt five hundred dollars, reserving for himself the remainder of the thousand which he had brought home. Two months later Dean returned to Denver to find that his lots had considerably increased in value. Gradually he sold them off for twice what he paid, and entered business in the Queen City of Colorado. Squire Bates soon removed from Waterford, and the villagers have heard nothing of him since. But Dean could tell them that his connection with the band of robbers was discovered, and that he is upon conviction serving a protracted term in a Western prison. What has become of Brandon or his mother is not known to the general public, but it is less than a year since Dean, while leaving the Denver post-office, was accosted by a shabbily dressed young man who asked for assistance.