"I never took from you the value of a cent," Teddy said, stoutly, and Dan cried as he sprang to his feet:
"If there has been any attempt at robbery, you're the guilty one, for you've tried to steal half the money he made by threatening to have him arrested if he didn't divide his profits."
"That was only a business proposition," the old man replied, not in the least abashed, "and he has aided others in stealing from me."
"What do you want here?" Mr. Sweet cried, angrily. "This is my tent; I have paid for the privilege of putting it upon these grounds, and have the right to prevent such old hypocrites as you from entering without paying an admission."
"Look out that you do not come within reach of the law," Uncle Nathan replied, threateningly, stepping back quickly, as if expecting an attack. "I am here armed with the right to take this boy, and shall exercise it despite all that may be said. Come in, Mr. Officer."
In response to this call a constable entered, and Teddy's heart sank within him, for he understood that the long-deferred arrest was about to be made.
"There is your prisoner," the old man said, vindictively, as he pointed to the boy, "and the sooner you take him to jail where he belongs the sooner we shall be rid of a viper."
As the constable approached him, Teddy said, "I demand to be first taken to Deacon Jones!"
Teddy's grief and fear were so great that he could not speak, and even Dan appeared to have been made dumb by this show of authority; but Mr. Sweet was somewhat accustomed to such scenes, and he demanded: