falling over the dam.

"Ha! Young Cameron," muttered Uncle Jabez. "You didn't see the
cash-box, of course?"

"Where was it?" asked Tom, quietly.

"In that office-- on a shelf, with an old coat thrown over it. I
believed it to be as safe there as in the house with nobody but an old
woman to guard it."

"Better put your money in the bank, sir," said Tom, coolly.

"And have some sleek and oily scoundrel steal it, eh?" snarled Uncle
Jabez.

"Well, the water stole it, I reckon," Tom said. "I'm sorry for you if
there was much money in the box. But I know nothing about it. Jasper
Parloe might have saved the box had be known about it; he was over
there by the office when the water tore away the wall."

"Jasper Parloe!" ejaculated Uncle Jabez, starting. "Was he here?"

"He wasn't here long," chuckled Tom. "He thought the mill was going
and he lit out in a hurry."

Uncle Jabez made another despairing gesture and walked away. Ruth
followed him and her hands closed upon the toil-hardened fist clenched
at his side.