“I’d a done a heap more to you if I’d had the chance!” snarled the tramp.  “You’re the meanest man in seven counties, and you cheated me out of my money.  I said I’d get even with you and I did.”

“Then you admit you’re Crouse?” asked Tom eagerly.

“Might as well, as long as you’ve got the goods on me.  I’ll take my medicine now, but I’ll get back at you later, Jed Appleby!” and he shot a black look at the farmer.

“It will be some time before he can carry out that threat,” said Tom easily.  “Now, Mr. Appleby, I suppose you haven’t a grudge against me any longer, as it’s been proved that I had no hand in your troubles.”

“No, of course not.  I—­I’m sorry I made a complaint against ye.  But it did look mighty suspicious.”

“Yes, it did,” admitted Tom, “and I couldn’t say anything, for certain reasons.  But they no longer exist.”

“I don’t exactly understand it all,” said the still-puzzled farmer, “but it’s all right, an’ I begs yer pardon, Tom Fairfield, an’ here’s my hand!” and he held out a big palm.

“That’s all right,” said Tom easily, as he shook hands.  “I’ll explain everything soon.”

“And I’ll do my share,” added Ray.  “I haven’t acted just as I should in this matter.  But I’m on a different road now.”

“I hope so,” put in Mrs. Appleby, who had been a silent spectator of the happenings.  “I allers said you had a good streak in you somewhere, Ray Blake, and if you had a mother------”

“Please don’t speak of her,” the boy asked gently.

“Have you a telephone?” asked Tom, anxious to change the subject, for he saw that Ray was much affected.  “If you have, we can ’phone for the authorities to call for our friend here,” and he nodded at the tramp who, bound, sat in sullen silence.

“No, we don’t have such luxuries,” answered the farmer, “but I’ll send one of my hired men into town.  We can lock Jake up in the smoke house ’till the constable gets here.”

This was done, Jake Crouse submitting sullenly.  Then, when the hired man had driven off in the rain, the farmer and his wife insisted on providing dry garments for Ray and Tom, and in making them hot coffee.

In two hours the constable arrived, and only just in time, for the tramp had nearly forced open the smoke house door, and would soon have escaped.  He was handcuffed, and driven to the town lockup.

“I’ll appear agin’ him to-morrow,” said Mr. Appleby.  “Now hadn’t you boys better stay here all night?  It’s rainin’ cats an’ dogs.”

“No, I must get back to the school,” said Tom.  “And I’d like Ray to come with me.  I want him to help explain certain things to my chums.  They know I’m not an incendiary, or a horse poisoner, but some others don’t believe that.”

“We’ll soon make ’em!” exclaimed Ray.

“I’m with you Tom.  I can’t make up all you suffered on my account, but I will do all I can.”