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Rh This bit of humor caused a laugh at the storekeeper's expense, and put him in even worse humor than had Matt's caustic remarks.

"See here, I didn't come in here to be abused!" he cried, addressing the young auctioneer in a bullying tone.

"You were not asked in here at all, to my knowledge," returned Matt. "And you should have remained away unless you intended to do the right thing."

"See here, boy, what do you mean?"

"What would you think of me if I came over to your store and told your customers that I could sell them goods cheaper than you could? I rather guess you would be for running me out—and mighty lively, too!"

"That he would!" laughed several. "He wouldn't give you time to open your mouth."

"I came in here because I know all these auction sales—they ain't really auctions at all—are frauds!" blustered Isaac Marvelling, finding it hard to say anything in the face of so much opposition. "These chaps oughten to be allowed to sell a thing—they swindle folks so, and if I had my way, the constable would"

"Stop right there!" interrupted Matt, his eyes flashing. "When you insinuate that I am a