she wanted him to do
something in the garden that possibly old Jake had neglected to look
after, before going upon his errand; or if he would get an invitation
to enter that big house again.

And as he involuntarily glanced toward the spot where the ugly-looking
bulldog, called Beauty by his mistress, was now stretching his
broad-beamed body, after his recent nap, Fred resolved to draw the line
there. If she wanted him to approach the defender of the manse, he
thought he would be showing the proper discretion if he politely but
positively declined.

"Are your shoes clean, Fred?" she finally asked, looking down at his
feet while putting the question.

"Why, yes, ma'am, they seem to be. There is no mud; and I'm in the
habit of keeping my shoes clean at home," he replied, understanding
from this remark that it must be the house, and not the garden, where
his task awaited him.

"Then come into the house with me," she continued, as if thoroughly
satisfied with her scrutiny.

Fred took off his cap and walked up the steps leading to the broad
veranda. He would not have been a real boy had he not speculated as to
what the lady wished with him. And it was in this frame of mind that he
followed her into the wide hall of the house, which was to Bristles the
home of mystery and the seat of all his trouble.

"Come right into this room, Fred," said Miss Muster, leading the way
into what he remembered to be her living room, where she sat most of
the time she was home, reading, writing letters, and paying attention
to her business matters; for she had considerable money invested, and
insisted on looking after the details herself, rather than trust a
lawyer with them.

The first thing Fred saw upon entering was the pet cat, a big Persian,
with long hair, and a handsome face. Then a restless movement from
above called his attention to the raven, perched upon a curtain
fixture, or pole, close to the ceiling, and, looking down wisely at
them as they entered.

Fred immediately wondered whether he could be looking at the sly thief,
who had been secretly making way with the old maid's treasures, as he
noted the cunning aspect of Black Joe.

Miss Muster shook her finger angrily at the bird.

"Now we'll see whether you can defy me so impudently, you sly baggage!"
she remarked, in rather a tart tone; and it burst upon Fred that,
singularly enough, his unexpected visit to the mansion of the rich old
maid was evidently in connection