"It is true. You hired me to put a five-hundred dollar bond into John Barton's pocket while you appropriated the remainder. It was this that enabled you to go into business for yourself in Lakeville. It was in this way that you got together your wealth." Albert Marlowe was overwhelmed, and did not immediately reply. "I think I remember you," said Robert Manning. "It was your testimony that weighed so heavily against Mr. Barton." "And it has weighed heavily upon my conscience ever since. I have at last determined to tell the truth." "What have you to say to this, Mr. Marlowe?" asked Manning pointedly. "It is a lie," answered the squire, feebly. "You are willing to have the matter go to trial?" "Albert," put in Uncle Jacob, "it appears to me that you are in a bad box. Ralph Harding's testimony is sure to convict you. Will you take my advice?" "What is it?" asked the squire, sullenly. "Accept the offer made to John Barton under a misapprehension. Repay to Mr. Manning the value of the stolen bonds----" "With interest attached," interposed Manning. "And he will drop the matter. Am I right, Mr. Manning?" "Yes, sir." "It will amount to about double the original sum--say twelve thousand dollars." "I can't raise so large an amount in cash." "You are worth more?" "Yes; but not in ready money." "I will advance it to you, and take a bill of sale of the factory and your house," said Uncle Jacob. All eyes were turned upon the old man in amazement. "But where will you get the money?" gasped the squire. "I can raise ten times that sum, if necessary." "But I thought you were a poor man?" "I never told you so. I said I had five hundred dollars; but I didn't add that I am worth at least two hundred thousand dollars more. That was my secret!" "You said that you invested all your money in some mining shares that depreciated to nothing." "I foresaw the decline, and sold out at a small loss." "Why did you deceive us?" asked the squire, irritably. "I wanted to test you all. When you thought me poor, you gave me my walking ticket; but Mary here," and Uncle Jacob glanced affectionately at Mrs. Barton, "gave me a warm welcome, though she thought me nearly as poor as herself. I shall not forget it. Bert also did not look down upon his old uncle, even though he had little to expect from him." "But, Uncle Jacob," said Bert, "why, if you are so rich, do you work for twelve dollars a week?" "It was a harmless deception, Bert," he replied. "I am at the head of the office where you think me employed, and president of one of the richest mines on the Pacific Coast." "Mr. Marlowe," said the squire, not venturing upon the familiar name of Uncle Jacob, "instead of advancing money on my house, factory, and stock, are you willing to buy them outright?" "At what sum do you value them?" "Fifteen thousand dollars." "It is a bargain," said Uncle Jacob promptly. "You may feel disposed to run the business yourself."