“Yes, sir. His name is Andy Carney. He came here to get square with me on account of Mr. Williams’s boat.” “I know nothing about that,” returned the bank president. “Where are the two men that were with you, Rube?” asked the constable. “Two men with you?” repeated Mr. Norton, with a slight start. “I haven’t been with any two men,” I returned. “I don’t know what you are talking about. Mr. Norton was away last night, not I.” “You bad boy! how can you say such a thing?” burst out my guardian. “I haven’t been outside of the mill since yesterday afternoon.” “That is not true! You went out right after supper!” “Come, come! this is wasting time,” said Mr. Ditson. “Pointer, see if you can find any more of the diamonds.” “Will you look after the boy?” “Certainly.” “You had better look after Mr. Norton,” I put in. “What!” screamed that individual. “My word ought to be as good as his,” I added. “Certainly,” said Pointer. “I will have to arrest both of you.” “Arrest me!” ejaculated my guardian, and for the moment all the color forsook his face. “Yes, sir. You will be a witness, if nothing else. Will you go along peaceably?” “Why――why――I suppose so,” stammered the man. “But, nevertheless, it is an outrage.” To this the constable did not reply, but went off to search the mill for more precious stones. While he was gone my thoughts were busy. Was my guardian the guilty party? and were the two strangers I had found at the mill his partners in the crime? It seemed more than likely. The thought was a dismaying one, almost as disheartening to me at that instant as the fact that I was under arrest. The only relative I possessed in the world a criminal! It was a bitter thought, and for the moment drove everything else from my mind. Meanwhile Pointer made a search of the mill and all the rooms without success. “If there are any more of these stones here they’re well hidden,” he said. “Suppose we go to Squire Slocum’s office, and have these two put in charge, and then go after the men that helped on the burglary?” This was considered good advice, and five minutes later the mill was locked up and we all started down the main road, Ford beside me, telling me to keep up my courage, that he was sure I was innocent, and that all would yet come right. Half an hour later found us assembled in the squire’s office, and a brief hearing began. I told my story “as straight as a string.” Mr. Norton tried to interrupt me a number of times, but Squire Slocum promptly shut him up, and I had a full hearing. Then my guardian had his say. It was but little more than has been told. Squire Slocum touched several times on the fact that Mr. Norton had come to the mill under rather peculiar circumstances, to which that individual replied that that had nothing to do with the case. “Perhaps not,” replied the squire coldly.