CHAPTER XIII.
PERCY GETS RID OF THE BILL.
When Percy Marlowe left the grocery store with the stolen bill in his hand, he was tremulous with excitement and agitation. He felt that he had committed a crime, and he was almost tempted to go back and replace the money. But it was possible that its loss had already been discovered, and he might be connected with it. He felt that it would be safe to get as far away as possible from the store.
"Nobody will suspect me," he said to himself, plucking up courage.
Then there was the pleasant thought that he could pay up his debt to Reginald Ward, and have ten dollars left over. It would be very comfortable to have ten dollars to spend, and Percy, whose conscience was not sensitive, began to consider what would be the pleasantest way of disposing of it. He soon came to a decision on this point, having, like most boys, rather a talent for spending money.
"I'll go round by the hotel," he said to himself, "and if I find Reg there I'll pay him what I owe him and get it off my mind."
Percy walked around to the Lake House, and found Reginald Ward in the billiard room. Ward treated him rather coldly.
"Good-morning, Percy," he said.
"Good-morning, Reg."
"I hope you have come prepared to pay me what you owe me. I may have to go back to New York to-morrow."