"I told the post-master what I expected when I asked him to send me the letter. You were in the office then, Bobtail."
"No, sir; I didn't see you at all that day. I wasn't in the post-office half a minute before the letter was given to me," answered Bobtail, decidedly.
Squire Gilfilian wished to make it out that the boy knew there was money in the letter, to account for his stealing it; but he made no progress in his effort.
"I'm going to look this business up, anyhow," said Captain Chinks, savagely. "I want your boat for two days, Bobtail."
"You can't have her," replied the young skipper, decidedly.
"I suppose not," sneered the captain. "You don't want this business looked up."
"Whether I do or not, you can't have the boat."
"What's the reason I can't?"
"She is engaged; but if she was not engaged, I wouldn't let you have her."
"Steady, Bobtail," interposed the squire. "You are a little too crank for a boy."