t
from Nellie, he withdrew, happy over the warm welcome given him, and
full of enthusiasm in his purpose to bring the guilty parties to
justice.

He first went home and got the knife in question, and then made his way
straight to Mr. Rexford's room, where he found him alone.

"Good evening, Mr. Rexford," said Fred heartily.

"Good evening," returned the merchant, wondering what the boy's object
could be in calling.

This was the first time they had met alone to speak since the trouble at
the store when Fred was discharged.

"I suppose you have learned nothing new relative to the cause of your
store's burning," remarked our hero.

"No, nothing."

"You were not very generous with your old clerk to have him arrested,
charged with such an act."

The merchant winced.

"I think I have a chance now to do you a favor in return for your
generosity," continued Fred.

This sarcasm cut deeply, but there was something about the boy's manner
that kept the merchant from answering angrily.

"What is it?" he at length asked.

"I have a clue that would perhaps lead to the arrest of the parties who
plundered and burned your store."

Rexford's interest was now fully aroused.

"Have you?" he asked eagerly.

"Yes, and I have sufficient evidence, I think, to warrant you in making
an arrest."

"Is it possible?"

"Yes, there is no doubt of it."

Fred now took the knife from his pocket and passed it to his former
employer.

The merchant recognized it instantly by its peculiar handle. He said, in
answer to Fred's questions, that the knife had not been sold, and that
it must have been taken from his show case the night of the fire. He
remembered showing it that evening to a customer, and distinctly
recollected putting it back into the show case.

This, then, constituted a strong piece of evidence to show that the
store was robbed.

Fred then explained how the knife came into his possession.

"You have worked up the case skilfully," said Mr. Rexford.

"I hope I have made no mistakes," answered Fred.

"You have shown care and ingenuity, and have succeeded in getting very
strong evidence. This is better than Sheriff Coombs has done."

"I have other evidence also in my possession that makes this much
stronger," replied our hero, and he showed Mr. Rexford the paper that
Nellie Dutton had found, and gave him his theory of the robbery.

"I agree with you fully. It looks very reasonable," said the merchant,
whose enthu