"Take this money and get off," demanded Fred, impatiently. "I'm
going back home and to bed."

"I guess, boy, it's about time fer me to see your old man," blustered
Tip. "If I hold off until to-morrer afternoon, will ye have the
other nine, an' an extry dollar fer me trouble?"

"No," rasped Fred. "It's no use at all---not for another fortnight,
anyway. Good night!"

Turning, Fred sped across the street and back under the shadows
at the rear of the lawyer's great house.

"I wonder if the younker's gettin' wise?" murmured Tip. "He ain't
smart enough to know that fer him to go to his old man an' tell
the whole yarn 'ud be cheapest in the run. The old man 'ud be
mad at Rip, but the old man's a lawyer, an' 'ud know how to lay
down the blackmail law to me!"

Feeling certain that he was wholly alone by this time, Tip had
spoken the words aloud or sufficiently so for him to be heard
a few feet away by any lurker.

Shivering a bit, for he was none too warmly clad, young Scammon
turned, making his way up the street.

Fully two minutes after Tip had gone his way Dick Prescott stepped
out from behind the place where Tip had been standing.

There was a queer and rather puzzled look on Dick's face.