That would be his only revenge.

   Finally, Squire Tucker, pushing his writing aside, ran his fingers through the great mass of his tumbled gray hair, and looked quizzically at Jim over his glasses. "So this," he said, "is the hardened ruf

   fian of whom our esteemed fellow citizen, Mr. Lamoury, complains?"

   And indeed Jim, although stubborn, did not seem very dangerous.

   The squire looked about the room.

   "Is he represented by counsel?" he asked.

   "No, I represent him," said Mr. Edwards.

   "The charge against him is assault with intent to kill, I believe?" and he looked with demure inquiry at Jake Hibbard, who nodded with a wrath-clouded face. Tucker was not taking the case seriously.

   "Well, young man," said the

   justice to Jim, "what's your explanation of this?"

   "We'll waive examination," said Mr. Edwards, briefly.

   The squire leaned back in his chair. "I suppose," he said, with evident reluctance, "I shall have to hold him for the grand jury. But I guess the safety of the community won't be greatly threatened if I let him out on bail. I should think a couple of hundred would do. I suppose there'll be no difficulty about the bond?"

   The tone of the proceedings suited Mr. Peaslee well. In his nervousness and abstraction he had backed

   up to the rusty, empty iron stove at the end of the room, and stood there, with spread coat-tails, listening intently. On hearing the amount of bail, he gave a sigh of relief. His incautious offer had brought him no dangerous risk.

   Mr. Edwards, however, did not answer. Instead, consulting the justice with a look, he turned and beckoned Jim to follow him into the hall.

   "James," he said, "this is the last chance I shall give you. If you confess to me, I will see that you have proper bail. If you do not, I shall let the law take its course. You may choose."

   Jim was exasperated. If his father wished to be 

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