"Yes, I saw Carson pick it up from the spot where I threw it," returned Saunders. "This puts a new face on the matter," he added, with a sharp look at Ferris.
Mrs. Ricket also looked at her nephew.
"Dick, come here," she commanded.
"What do you want?" he demanded, doggedly.
"I want you to return Mr. Saunders' fourteen dollars."
"I haven't got it."
"I know better."
"What, Aunt Amanda, are you going back on me, too?" cried Ferris, in a pretended reproachful tone.
"I tried to believe all along against my better judgment that you were innocent," said the landlady. "But I can't believe it any longer, and when you try to throw the blame on somebody who is innocent, I've got to speak my mind." Mrs. Ricket's voice began to grow stern. "Give up the money, and ask Mr. Saunders to forgive you before he sends for a policeman and has you arrested."
This was a long speech for Mrs. Ricket, and she almost gasped for breath after she had finished.