Tim Short made a very wretched attempt to obtain a night's sleep after
escaping from captivity, both because the night was well spent before he
reached home and because matters of too great importance rested upon his
mind to allow him to bury them in slumber.
He reported at the factory at the usual morning hour, but after working
a little time complained of being sick, and was released for the
remainder of the day. If he was not physically ill, he was doubtless
sick at heart, so he speedily sought Matthew, and told him, with more or
less ill feeling, of his experience at the hands of Jacob Simmons, and
of the latter's demands in settlement (as he called it) for his
injuries.
"And you 'squealed' on me?" demanded De Vere, with ill suppressed anger.
"I told him who you were, to save him from choking me to death."
"Is that all you said?"
"He told me to tell the truth or----"
"So you gave him the whole story--you idiot, to tell everything you
know!"
"I only wish you had been in my place."
"If I had I wouldn't have been an idiot!" retorted De Vere.
"Oh, you wouldn't have! Some folks are very smart," replied Tim, getting
angry.
"I'd have been smart enough for that."
"A lot you would. If he'd had you as he had me, you would have told more
than I did, and promised anything he asked."
"I'm not a baby, I want you to understand, to cry if any one looks at
me."
"No, you are very brave, to have to get some one to help you to get
square with Fred Worthington."
"I was a fool when I got you."
"And I was a fool for having anything to do with you in this business.
You will be arrested and sent to prison, and so will I, unless you pay
Mr. Simmons the five hundred."
"Arrested! What do you mean?" asked Matthew, turning pale.
"I mean just what I said; if you don't pay him he will come down on us
within three days."
"Did he say so?" gasped De Vere.
"Yes, he did. He was going to take me to the sheriff last night, and
that's why I told everything."
"Five hundred dollars! I can't get it without asking my father for it."
"Well, ask him then."
"He would find out everything, and would whip me almost to death."
"Better be whipped than go to prison, and have every one know all about
it."
"I won't do either."
"How can you avoid it?"
"Five hundred dollars is too much."
"You'd better see Mr. Simmons and fix it with him."
"I don't want to see him."
"You will have to see him or send the money."
The two boys finally called upon Jacob Simmons and entered into
negotiations.
"I ought to have more than five hundred," said the latter.
"How can I give it to you if I haven't got it?" asked Matthew.
"Your father is rich, and could give me ten times as much and not miss
it."
"Oh, don't tell him. I will pay you what I can."
"If you had the money I would take it and say nothing more to him or any
one; but I must have it or hand you over to the sheriff."
Matthew shuddered at this thought. He was in a dilemma, and hardly knew
which way to turn.
After a good deal of parley, Mr. Simmons agreed to take three hundred
dollars in place of the five originally demanded. This act, however, was
not inspired by liberality or a desire to make the penalty less for the
boys, but with a feeling that he might get nothing if he were to take
the matter to the elder De Vere, as he gathered from Matthew's
conversation that the latter would run away from home rather than submit
to the severe punishment his father would be sure to give him.
"Three hundred dollars," Jacob argued, "is much better than nothing."
Matthew gave him what cash he had with him--seventeen dollars--and his
watch, and signed an agreement to pay the balance within six weeks. He
also indorsed the statement that Tim had signed about the assault as
being true, and the careful Mr. Simmons replaced it in his large
pocketbook for future use if it should at any time be needed.