At length, about the middle of the afternoon, I heard a noise in the squire’s office overhead. Several men had entered, and a loud and rapid conversation was in progress. I listened, and was almost certain I distinguished the voice of Mr. Markham. For some reason my heart gave a bound of joy. I felt sure he had come to assist me, notwithstanding all that had been said against him. Ten minutes passed; then there was a noise on the stairs, and a moment later Squire Slocum, the jailer, and Mr. Markham appeared. “Well, my young friend, I see they have thought best to lock you up,” remarked Mr. Markham lightly, as he stepped into the cell and extended his hand to me cordially. “Yes, Mr. Markham, they have,” was all I could say. He gave my hand a tight grasp. “You are having a pile of trouble,” he went on, “and partly on my account.” “Why, you have nothing to do with the robbery,” I put in quickly. “No, not exactly,” he laughed; “but I have caused you trouble enough in other ways.” “I thought you would straighten out matters some time,” I could not help replying. “I knew you were a gentleman, no matter what Mr. Webster or any one else said to the contrary.” “Webster is a fool!” cried Mr. Markham with energy. “A downright fool, and I told him so. Just because I had a slight trouble with my bank account, brought on by my clerk, he takes it for granted that I am a swindler.” And Mr. Markham’s eyes flashed, and he showed plainly that he was thoroughly aroused. “I came back to Bayport to-day, in reply to a pretty sharp letter I received from Mr. Williams,” he went on. “I had important business in New York, but when I saw what an awful mess things had got into here I took the first train. Williams was another of the idiots that thought I was going to swindle him simply because I left in a great hurry without writing him a check.” “And he was convinced I was trying to rob him of his boat,” I said. “So I have heard. But I have fixed that matter all up with him. The boat is paid for, and is at this moment lying at the wharf here in Bend Center. She is your property, and here is the bill of sale for her.” And Mr. Markham pulled an envelope from his pocket and passed it over. With hands that trembled I took the bill of sale and glanced it over. True enough, it certified that for the sum of four hundred dollars the Catch Me was now the sole property of Reuben Stone. “Thank you, Mr. Markham,” I said. “I――I――can’t say more, but I am――I am――” “Don’t try to say more,” laughed the gentleman. “I am ashamed of myself to think that my gift should have cost you so much trouble. But you shall lose nothing by me. I have not forgotten what more I intended to do for you.” “Well, Mr. Markham, about this other matter,” broke in Squire Slocum, who had thus far remained silent. “True, Squire, excuse me for keeping you waiting. Stone, I am told that they hold you on a very serious charge.” “They do,” I returned. “But I am not guilty, sir.”