home somewhere. At the time, Dick Saunders and I
laughed, and said the old mother crow had fetched her babies some
playthings to keep them amused while she and her mate were off hunting
grubs and corn and such crow food."

"Well, all of which goes to prove that my little theory mightn't be so
far fetched as you seemed to think in the beginning," said Hugh. "I
mean to look around closely the next time I drop in to see the Madame.
Perhaps if I picked up a tiny green feather that must have come from
Pretty Poll, and on the table close to the case that holds the spoons,
it might clinch matters."

"Whew! I only hope you do!" declared Thad. "I'd hate to learn that
Owen had any hand in taking those spoons. The sooner we find out the
truth, the better for all concerned. It'll not only relieve our minds,
as well as that of the old lady; but either prove or disprove the
suspicions we're right now entertaining toward that poor boy."

He looked very determined when saying this, just as though he had made
up his own mind to hasten the denouement; but of that he did not say
anything to Hugh.

"My plan at present is to find a chance to hide in the room, and have
the old lady let her parrot free to fly around," continued Hugh,
reflectively. "You see, as a rule, the bird is held by a fine chain,
and made to stay by her perch; but the lady as much as admitted, when
scolding her pet, that every now and then Polly managed to get loose by
pecking at the ring about her leg; and had a great time flying
squawking in and out of the rooms before anybody could catch her again."

Thad clapped his hand in glee. He had changed his mind considerably
after hearing all these things in the line of a convincing argument, as
mentioned by Hugh.

"Why, if it should turn out that way, Hugh, it'd make a story well
worth writing up for the magazines, or a big New York daily paper. I
hope now you'll get busy on this scheme right away, so we'll know the
truth. Parrots are mighty cunning birds, for a fact. I knew one once
that used to mock everybody going by. What fun we boys used to have
trying to teach him to say things that mebbe his mistress wouldn't
exactly approve of, though, honestly, Hugh, they weren't very tough,
just boys' slang, you know. I'm glad now you asked me to take this
walk with you. For all we can tell, it may have some influence in
solving this puzzle that's got both of us guessing."

When Thad said this, he of course c