But then I remembered that one of the two strangers had said that something was to be done that night. Did Mr. Norton propose to take a hand in this? “When will you be back?” “In an hour or so. You had better go to bed. I suppose you are tired.” “Yes, sir.” In a moment more Mr. Norton was gone, and I was left alone. I cleared away the dishes, and then sat down in the big rocker to think matters over. I was confused over the things that had happened since Mr. Norton’s arrival. His claims and the affair of the Catch Me bewildered me. I was but a boy, brought up almost in the backwoods, and I could not reason out what was going on. But I was satisfied that something was wrong. It seemed to be in the very air, and I could not help but feel it. Then my mind reverted to my father’s untimely end, and I shed bitter tears as I thought over how I had been thus suddenly left alone in the world. My meditations were interrupted by a heavy knock on the door. I sprang to my feet, wondering who the visitor could be. An instant later the knock was repeated, even louder than before. I bade the person enter. The door swung open, and I found myself face to face with Andy Carney! I was startled, and stepped back. The fisherman saw that I was alone, and he shut the door behind him and locked it. “Carney!” I exclaimed. “Yes, it’s me,” he replied. “Guess, young fellow, you didn’t just expect to have me call on you.” And he leered at me wickedly. I began to feel uneasy at once. There was nothing at hand by which I could defend myself. “What do you want?” I asked, as coolly as I could. “I come over to get even with you. What do you mean by setting Rich Williams on my track?” “Mr. Williams was after his boat.” “Thought you said it was your boat?” “I thought it was; but the man who gave it to me didn’t pay for it, and so I had to give it up. Did you see Mr. Williams?” “Did I see him?” The fellow uttered a short laugh. “Yes, I seen him; and it was all I could do to get away. But I want you to understand that you have got to shoulder this scrape. I’ve got nothing to do with it.” “You altered the boat,” I returned; “and you tried to steal her too.” “Stop right there!” he cried. “Do you see this? I mean business.” And as he spoke he drew out a pistol. CHAPTER XII. A MIDNIGHT CRIME. I saw the pistol, and I was properly alarmed. It is said that there are those who can look in the barrel of such a weapon unflinchingly. If so, I am not one of the kind. I did my best to get out of range; and seeing this, Carney laughed again. “Scared you, did I?” he said. “I don’t care to have a pistol pointed at me.” “No, I suppose not, nor a gun either,” with another laugh. “What do you want here?” “I told you I’d come to get square with you.” “What do you intend to do?” “Anybody here with you?” “None of your business!” “Hold up there!” And again the weapon was pointed at my head.