"I've got something to tell you," returned Chet. "Hurry up." "Can't hurry, when I'm getting my hair cut, Chet." Nevertheless, Andy told the barber not to waste time, and ten minutes later both boys were on the street. There Chet related what he had overheard, Andy listening in wonder. "He certainly is the limit, Chet. Now, what do you suppose I had best do?" "I don't know--tell Mr. Dawson, I suppose." "But I don't want to get him into trouble." "Do you think it will do that?" "It might--and he might tell me it would be best for me to stay behind," answered Andy, gloomily. "And I'm not going to stay behind!" he cried, desperately. "Then I know what you can do!" exclaimed Chet, struck by a sudden idea. "What?" "Play a trick on your Uncle Si. But it will cost you a five-dollar bill." "That's cheap--if only I can get rid of the old curmudgeon." "Then come with me, to the writing-room of the hotel." Andy did as requested, and there Chet unfolded his plan. Andy agreed to it at once, and without loss of time the following letter was penned: "_Dear Uncle Si_: I am sorry I caused you so much trouble. Will you come to Pine Run at once? I inclose five dollars for the trip. How much money can you get for those papers? Thought I'd like to go on that ocean trip, but I suppose sailoring is harder than lumbering, isn't it? "Your Nephew, "_Andy_." Andy had in his pocket an envelope postmarked Pine Run, and addressed to himself. With care he erased the name "Andrew" and substituted "Josiah," and then he changed the address. He knew where his uncle was stopping, a cheap lodging house. "I guess that will set him off the trail," said Chet, with a grin, after the envelope had been sealed with care. "And we haven't told him any falsehood, either." The boys laid their plans with care, and hired a youth employed around the lodging house to hand the letter to Josiah Graham, but without stating where it came from. Then Andy and Chet set watch. In the middle of the afternoon they saw Josiah Graham enter the lodging house. They waited impatiently, and half an hour later saw him emerge, carrying his faded grip in his hand. He headed directly for the depot. "I guess the plan is going to work," whispered Chet. "Let us follow him." "He mustn't see me--or it would spoil everything." They followed on behind the man, and saw him enter a police station. He came forth five minutes later, looking flushed and humiliated. "I'll wager he has withdrawn his charge against you," said Chet, and his surmise was correct. From the station house Josiah Graham hurried to the depot. It was three o'clock, and a train for Pine Run was due in fifteen minutes. "Pine Run ticket," Chet heard him demand, at the window, and it was handed to him. Then he came out on the platform, and sank down on a bench, with his grip at his feet.