"Yes, three hundred dollars—which you took from my safe this very morning!" cried Jadell Powers. "I want you to hand the money over instantly. If you don't, I'll call an officer of the law and have you locked up!"
CHAPTER III
MARK RUNS AWAY
For the moment after his step-father had announced that he had lost three hundred dollars Mark was so dumfounded that he could not speak.
"I—you—Did you lose three hundred dollars?" he gasped, at last.
"Yes, I did. And you've got the money," returned Jadell Powers.
"Mr. Powers, I haven't a cent of that money. In fact, I didn't know you had three hundred dollars in the safe."
"I know better. I put the money in there yesterday, and you were there when I did it."
"Perhaps I was there, but I didn't see you handle any money. Are you sure it was stolen?"