“Ho, ho, ho!” sneered Billy. “How mighty we young gents are all of a sudden. Unless you buy of me sometimes, you shall hear of me again; never fear, young gen’lman.” He shouted out the latter words, for Eric had turned scornfully on his heel, and was already in the street. Obviously more danger was to be apprehended from this quarter. At first the thought of it was disquieting, but three weeks glided away, and Eric, now absorbed heart and soul in school work, began to remember it as a mere vague and idle threat. But one afternoon, to his horror, he again heard Billy’s step on the stairs, and again saw the hateful iniquitous face at the door. “Not much custom from you lately, sir,” said Billy, mockingly. “Anything in my line to-day.” “Didn’t I tell you never to come near me again, you foul villain? Go this instant, or I’ll call Carter;” and, opening the window, he prepared to put his threat into execution. “Ho, ho, ho! Better look at summat I’ve got first.” It was a printed notice to the following effect-- “FIVE POUNDS REWARD. “WHEREAS some evil-disposed persons stole some pigeons on the evening of April 6th from the Rev. H. Gordon’s premises; the above reward will be given for any such information as may lead to the apprehension of the offenders.” Soon after the seizure of the pigeons there had been a rumor that Gordon had offered a reward of this kind, but the matter had been forgotten, and the boys had long fancied their secret secure, though at first they had been terribly alarmed. “What do you show me that for?” he asked, reddening and then growing pale again. Billy’s only answer was to pass his finger slowly along the words “Five pounds reward!” “Well?” “I thinks I knows who took them pigeons.” “What’s that to me?” “Ho, ho, ho! that’s a good un,” was Billy’s reply; and he continued to cackle as though enjoying a great joke. “Unless you gives me five pound, anyhow, I knows where to get ’em. I know who them evil-disposed persons be! So I’ll give ye another week to decide.” Billy shambled off in high spirits; but Eric sank back into his chair. Five pounds! The idea haunted him. How could he ever get them? To write home again was out of the question. The Trevors, though liberal, were not rich, and after just sending him so large a sum, it was impossible, he thought, that they should send him five pounds more at his mere request. Besides, how could he be sure that Billy would not play upon his fears to extort further sums? And to explain the matter to them fully was more than he could endure. He remembered now how easily his want of caution might have put Billy in possession of the secret, and he knew enough of the fellow’s character to feel quite sure of the use he would be inclined to make of it. Oh how he cursed that hour of folly!