UPON Dick's stating the nature of his business at Leigh Grange, he was admitted at once and shown into the library, a handsomely-furnished room, the walls of which were lined by rows and rows of books. For many minutes he was left alone, and during that time, he feasted his eyes on his surroundings. At length, however, he heard a footstep, and a second afterwards Colonel Flamank came in.
"Good-evening," said that gentleman, in pleasant tones. "What do you want with me, little boy?"
"Please, sir, I've brought back the match-box that you lost some weeks ago," said Dick Wilkins, his heart beating so loud that he fancied his questioner must hear it.
"You have brought back my match-box!" exclaimed the colonel. "Come, now, this is very strange. Squire Filmer's son came to me but a half-hour since, and said he had found it, and would let me have it to-morrow. But what is the matter?" he added, in surprise. "Surely you are not going to cry!"
And the speaker took the match-box from the child's shaking hand, whilst the latter burst into tears.
"O sir! O sir! Please to believe me when I tell you all about it," sobbed poor Dick, "'cos Master Stephen's treated me shameful, he has! He's the biggest bully in the place, and he stole a shilling from me when he found me alone in the woods."
Then seeing it was useless to keep back anything, the little boy recounted the story of how the match-box had been forced upon him in exchange for the coin that the artist had given him for fetching his paints from the church. And so earnest was his voice, and straightforward his manner, that his hearer was inclined to think he told the truth.
"And you mean to tell me that you submitted to be robbed by young Filmer?" questioned the colonel. "Why did you not report the matter to his father? The squire would not have shielded him, I am sure, if you had told him what you have now told me."
"I—I threatened Master Stephen that I would; and he said if I did, he'd get my mother out of her charing and washing at the Manor House," sobbed the child bitterly. "And if you don't believe me about the shilling, sir, please to ask the artist gentleman, and he'll tell you that he gave it to me."
"And supposing I prove your story to be correct, and give you the ten shillings reward, how shall you spend the money?" asked the colonel.