“I’ll try,” agreed Ripley, weakly.

“Ye’ll do more’n try, ’cause if ye fail me ye’ll have no further show,” declared Tip, with emphasis.

“See, here, Scammon, if I can find another five—–­somehow—–­that’ll be the last of this business?  You won’t expect to get any more money out of me?”

“The five that you’re goin’ to bring me tomorrow will be in full payment.”

“Of all possible claims to date?” Fred insisted.

“Yes, in full—–­to date,” agreed Scammon, grinning as though he were enjoying himself.

“And there’ll never be any further demands?” questioned Fred.

“Never again!” Scammon asserted, with emphasis.

“You promise that, solemnly?”

“On my honor,” promised the jailbird, sardonically.

“I’ll try to get you the money, Tip.  But see here, I’ll be in front of the drug store next to the post office, at just three o’clock to-morrow afternoon.  You stop and look in the same window, but don’t speak to me.  If I can get the five I’ll slip it into your hand.  Then I’ll move away.  You stand looking in the window a minute or so after I leave you, will you?”

“Sure,” agreed Scammon, cheerfully.

“And don’t do anything so plainly that any passerby can detect the fact that you and I are meeting there.  Don’t let anyone see what I slip into your hand.”

“That’ll be all right,” declared Tip Scammon, readily enough.

“And mind you, that’s the last money you’re ever to ask me for.”

“That’ll be all right, too,” came readily enough from the jailbird.

“Then good-bye until to-morrow.  Don’t follow me too closely.”

“Sure not,” promised Tip.  “Ye don’t want anyone to know that I’m your friend, and I’m good at keepin’ secrets.”

For two or three minutes young Scammon remained standing under the bare tree.  But his gaze followed the vanishing figure of Fred Ripley, and a cunning look gleamed in Tip’s eyes.

Fred Ripley, when he had heard of Tip going to prison without saying a word, had been foolish enough to suppose that that incident in his own life was closed.  Fred had yet to learn that evil remains a long time alive, and that its consequences hit the evil doer harder than the victim.

CHAPTER VI

THE CALL TO THE DIAMOND—–­FRED SCHEMES

Recess!  As the long lines filed rhythmically down from the second floor, thence to the basement, the leaders of the files quickly discovered something new posted on the bulletin board near the boys’ locker rooms.

As quickly as the files broke, there was such a rush to see the new bulletin that those who got the best places had to read aloud to others.  This was what the bulletin proclaimed: 

Notice.