It is said that under certain conditions even a straw may break a camel's back, but this refusal of Nellie's was no straw to Matthew. It was rather a sledge hammer blow, which brought bad temper and made him desperately angry. He seized his hat, and without further conversation with any one, left the house and strode sullenly down the street. At the first corner he turned up a by path, and then ran across lots to the main street, and entered a drinking saloon. "Why did you play, then?" the bartender was asking savagely, addressing a rough looking boy, Tim Short by name. "You have owed me for two months, and now here is another game of billiards to charge." "I thought I should beat," said Tim, with a discouraged and demoralized look. "That's what you've thought every time, but that don't pay me. I'm going to have my money now. If you don't pay, I will get it from your father; so come, square up, and be quick about it." "I will settle on pay day." "No, that won't do; you have promised that before. Either give me something for security or I will see your father tomorrow." "How much is the whole bill?" asked Matthew. "One dollar," replied the bartender. "Here, Tim, is the dollar. I will lend it to you. Pay him and come with me." Young Short clutched the dollar eagerly, and turned it over to his creditor with evident reluctance. "Come, Tim," went on Matthew, "let us go home; it is late for us to be out." The latter looked upon Matthew as his benefactor, and followed him promptly into the street. When the two were quite alone by themselves, De Vere took his companion by the arm and said: "I'm in luck finding you, Tim. I rushed down to the saloon, but I was afraid you had gone home, it is so late." "And I'm better off than you to have my bill paid. How is it you are in luck, and paying out money so free?" "Never mind the money, Tim," De Vere replied nervously. "I want you to do me a favor. Will you?" "Will I? Well, I should think I would." "Will you promise never to mention what I say to any one?" "I promise." "It would get us both into trouble if you should, Tim." "But it ain't nothin' so awful bad, is it, Matthew?" asked Tim, with a tremor of alarm in his voice. "I think I can trust you, Tim," replied De Vere, ignoring his companion's question. "I know you can, after all you have done for me," replied Tim gratefully. De Vere drew young Short close to him as they turned into a dark, narrow street. "Tim," said he, in suppressed agitation, "you know those tall oak trees on the old Booker road?" "What, them by the cave in the big rock, do you mean?" "Yes, that's the place." Young Short commenced to breathe fast with excitement. "You know, Tim," said De Vere, scarcely above a whisper, "you know the bushes and rock together furnish a good hiding place." "I should think they would," responded Tim dubiously. "We've got some work to do there." "What, not tonight?" "Yes, as soon as we can get there, or it will be too late."