To this I made no reply. A little later Mr. Williams and Pointer went on board their boat, and Darrow accompanied them. They were bound for Bayport, and expected to catch Andy Carney on his return to Rock Island. I walked to the mill slowly, Mr. Norton following. I was deeply perplexed. What did Mr. Markham mean by his course of action? Had he really intended to dupe me, or was there some mistake? Mr. Norton watched me closely, but said no more until we were inside of the mill; then he slammed the door shut and faced me, his face growing dark with passion. “Reuben!” he cried, savagely. “Well, sir?” I returned. “I want to talk to you.” “What about?” “What do you mean by trying to play an under hand game on me?” he demanded. CHAPTER XI. MR. NORTON’S MOVE. It was plain to see that Mr. Norton was deeply angered; indeed, he seemed to be in as violent a rage as it is possible for a man to attain. His teeth were tightly closed, and his hands twitched nervously. I made no reply to his last words, and then he went on,―― “Don’t you understand that I am your guardian, and that I am to be informed of all your affairs?” “I understand that you are to know all about the mill matters,” I said evasively. “And about your matters too. Why didn’t you tell me about the boat, and your going after her?” “Because I didn’t choose to do so, sir.” I did not like his manner of speech, and I spoke defiantly. Had he been more reasonable in his actions I should have answered him as respectfully as was possible. “You didn’t choose to do so?” he repeated. “No, sir. It was my own private affair, and had nothing to do with my father’s estate.” “Humph! don’t you know that you are a minor?” “I do know that.” “And that you have nothing but what is included in your father’s estate, and subject to the claims I have against it?” “I don’t know what the law is on that point. I shall find out very soon.” Mr. Norton changed color. “What do you mean by that?” he asked in a low voice. “I mean that I am going to see the proper authorities, and have the case go on in the proper way.” “Do you mean to say that you are going to see some lawyer?” I nodded. “You young fool, you! What good will that do?” he retorted. “It may do a good deal of good. I don’t know anything about the law, and I want matters straight.” “You’ll incur a lot of unnecessary expense; that’s all. We can settle this matter just as well between ourselves. I have bills for all that is due me, and after these are paid the balance shall be held in trust for you.” I made no reply. Had Mr. Norton been a different kind of a man I might have been satisfied with his plan, but I could not bring myself to trust him. “Did you hear what I said?” he demanded. “I did, sir.” “And agree to it?” “No, sir; I am going to see Squire Slocum about the matter.” “You will gain nothing by it.” “I shall be better satisfied.”