They found the huge mastiff lying with the napkin-covered basket
between his forepaws, on the grass by the water side. Reno was
growling warningly and had his eyes fixed upon a figure leaning upon
the bridge railing.

"That there dawg don't seem ter take to me," drawled Jasper Parloe,
who was the person on the bridge. "He needn't be afraid. I wouldn't
touch the basket."

"You won't be likely to touch it while Reno has charge of it," said
Tom, quietly, while the girls passed on swiftly. Neither Ruth nor
Helen liked to have anything to do with Parloe. When Tom released Reno
from his watch and ward, the dog trotted after Ruth and put his nose
into her hand.

"Ye been up ter the mill, hev ye?" queried Parloe, eyeing Tom Cameron
aslant. "ye oughter be gre't friends with Jabe Potter. Or has he
squared hisself with ye?"

"Say, Mister Parloe," said Tom, sharply, "you've been hinting
something about the miller every time you've seen me lately

"Only since yeou was knocked down that bank inter the gully, an' yer
arm an' head hurt. There warn't nothin' about Jabe ter interest yeou
afore that," returned Parloe, quickly.

Tom flushed suddenly and he looked at the old fellow with new
interest.

"Just what do you mean?" he asked, slowly.