"I must own that I thought you two knew something of the matter.

I suspected you before that meddling, chattering idiot shared my ideas.

But now there's an end to it, and I shall go to work to find out who is fighting against us, since I am sure that you two boys are quite innocent.

That will do." "Father doesn't believe me," said Dick bitterly as soon as they were alone.
"Nonsense!" cried Tom.

"Why, he said he did." "Yes, but I could see it in his eyes that he did not I know his looks so well, and it does seem so hard." As if to endorse Dick's fancy, the squire passed them an hour afterwards in the garden and there was a heavy frown upon his countenance as he glanced for a moment at his son, who was, of course, perfectly ignorant of the fact that his father was so intent upon the troubles connected with the drain, and the heavy loss which would ensue if the scheme failed, that he did not even realise the presence of his boy.
It was enough, though, for Dick; and he turned to his companion.
"There," he said, "what did I tell you?
Father doesn't believe me.