"I believe it is, sir," said Horace Kelsey.
"Yes, sir. It is, as you see, a new one, issued by the First National Bank of Chambersburgh. That is the bank at which I drew it."
"It's all rot!" roared the squire. "My son Percy received that bill, and in Chambersburgh, too!" he added, suddenly. "He said so last night."
Again Ralph's hopes fell. He had felt almost certain that his city friend would be able to prove the property, but now this supposed proof amounted to little or nothing.
"But that grease spot——" he began.
"A story invented by yourself," interrupted Squire Paget. "It is more than likely that the grease spot was on the bill when my son received it."
"Did your son receive the bill at the bank?" questioned Horace Kelsey.
"I don't know—I suppose he did," stammered the squire.
There was an awkward pause. Uriah Dicks drummed uneasily upon the counter, where lay the bill in dispute.