"Arrested! What do you mean?" asked Matthew, turning pale. "I mean just what I said; if you don't pay him he will come down on us within three days." "Did he say so?" gasped De Vere. "Yes, he did. He was going to take me to the sheriff last night, and that's why I told everything." "Five hundred dollars! I can't get it without asking my father for it." "Well, ask him then." "He would find out everything, and would whip me almost to death." "Better be whipped than go to prison, and have every one know all about it." "I won't do either." "How can you avoid it?" "Five hundred dollars is too much." "You'd better see Mr. Simmons and fix it with him." "I don't want to see him." "You will have to see him or send the money." The two boys finally called upon Jacob Simmons and entered into negotiations. "I ought to have more than five hundred," said the latter. "How can I give it to you if I haven't got it?" asked Matthew. "Your father is rich, and could give me ten times as much and not miss it." "Oh, don't tell him. I will pay you what I can." "If you had the money I would take it and say nothing more to him or any one; but I must have it or hand you over to the sheriff." Matthew shuddered at this thought. He was in a dilemma, and hardly knew which way to turn. After a good deal of parley, Mr. Simmons agreed to take three hundred dollars in place of the five originally demanded. This act, however, was not inspired by liberality or a desire to make the penalty less for the boys, but with a feeling that he might get nothing if he were to take the matter to the elder De Vere, as he gathered from Matthew's conversation that the latter would run away from home rather than submit to the severe punishment his father would be sure to give him. "Three hundred dollars," Jacob argued, "is much better than nothing." Matthew gave him what cash he had with him--seventeen dollars--and his watch, and signed an agreement to pay the balance within six weeks. He also indorsed the statement that Tim had signed about the assault as being true, and the careful Mr. Simmons replaced it in his large pocketbook for future use if it should at any time be needed. VIII. When Fred found that he was in Dr. Dutton's house, and that Matthew had disappeared and deserted him, he was at a loss to know what to say or what move to make. His mind was far from clear, and his tongue so unwieldy that he could hardly manage it. He stood silent for a moment, evidently trying to collect his thoughts and make out his situation; then, muttering some half intelligible words, he made a start as if to leave the house. The doctor, who answered the summons of the bell, was struck nearly dumb by the sight that greeted his eyes. He closed the door, and, taking the youth by the shoulder, supported his unsteady steps to the office.