Many were the rumors afloat concerning this old woman.  Some said she was little short of being a witch, while others had it that she was in league with tramps who had stolen things for miles around.  But so far, if guilty, she had escaped the penalty of the law.

“So you’ve come at last,” went on the person in the cottage, as Lew Flapp came in, and a moment later Dan Baxter came into view.  He was tall and lanky as of old, with a sour look on his face and several scars which made him particularly repulsive.  “I had almost given you up.”

“I’ve had my own troubles getting here,” answered Flapp.  “At first I couldn’t locate Hacknack and then I had the misfortune to fall in with Sam Rover”

“Sam Rover!  Is he on your track now?”

“I rather guess not,” and the bully of Putnam Hall gave a short laugh.  “He has gone swimming for his health.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll tell you,” answered Lew Flapp, and in a rapid manner he related all that had occurred since he had met Sam in the Oak Run barber shop.

“Well, all I can say is, that you are a lucky dog,” came from Dan Baxter, at the conclusion of the recital.  “You can thank your stars that you are not at this moment in the Oak Run lock-up.”

“I shouldn’t have run any risk at all if it hadn’t been for you,” growled Flapp.

“Oh, don’t come any such game on me, Flapp.  I can read you like a book.  You know you don’t dare to go home—­after that trip-up at White Corners.  Your old man would just about kill you—­and you’d be locked up in the bargain.”

At these words Lew Flapp winced, for he knew that Dan Baxter spoke the truth.  He was afraid to go home, and had come to Hacknack simply because he knew not where else to go and because Baxter had promised him some money.  The amount he had realized on the sale of the stolen jewelry had been spent.

“See here, what’s the use of talking that way?” he grumbled.  “I didn’t come here to get a lecture.”

“I’m not lecturing you,” came hastily from Dan Baxter.  “I’m merely telling you things for your own good, Flapp.  I want you to pull with me.  I know we’ll get along swimmingly.”

“You said you’d let me have some money.”

“And I’ll keep my word.”

“I need at least fifty dollars.”

“You’ll need more than that, Flapp.  You’ve got to stay away from home until this matter blows over, or until your old man patches things up with that Aaron Fairchild and the White Corners authorities.  I’ve got a plan, if you care to listen to it.”

“Sure, I’ll listen—­if you’ll only let me have that money.”

“I’ll let you have all you want—­providing you’ll agree to help me.”

“Well, what is your plan?  But first tell me, how about this woman?” And Flapp nodded his head toward Mother Matterson.

“Don’t you worry about her,” grinned Dan Baxter.  “I’ve got her fixed.  She won’t squeal.”