! I should say not," replied the grinning Bristles; "but do take
pity on a poor fellow, Fred, and tell me the whole story. Who stole the
opals?"

"Gabe Larkins, the butcher's boy," replied the other, soberly.

"You don't say?" was Bristles' comment, after he had given a whistle to
emphasize his astonishment. "And yet, after all, I oughtn't to be much
surprised, because I happen to know he's always reading the sporting
page of the city paper his mother takes; and I've heard him even
talking about horse races and betting. But, however in the wide world
did you get on to him; and does Aunt Alicia know it all?"

"I think she's with your mother at this minute, telling her how sorry
she is for suspecting you; and also what she means to do for you in the
future to make it up. Now listen, and I'll make your eyes open a
little, I reckon, Bristles."

"Never heard the like of it in all my life!" declared Bristles, when
the narrative had reached its conclusion with the detection of Gabe in
the act of adding his morning's spoils to the balance of the plunder
which he had hidden in the old hollow oak. "I'll never pass that tree
without thinking of what you've just told me. Gee! I'm glad I wasn't in
Gabe's shoes when Aunt Alicia caught him. I can just see the look of
fury in her snapping black eyes."

"You're wrong there, Bristles," said Fred, quickly. "Unless I'm mighty
much mistaken there were tears in her eyes, when she looked down at
Gabe cowering there. Your Aunt Alicia is a different woman these days
from what you used to believe her. She's seen a light. She knows there
are boys, and then again boys; and that not all of them are alike in
everything."

"But what can I say to you, Fred, for getting me out of this pickle?"
continued Bristles, with a quiver in his voice, as he squeezed the hand
of his chum. "Only for you, look what would have come to me? I owe you
a heap, sure I do; and I only hope the chance will come some day to
show you how much I feel it."

"Oh! let up on that sort of talk, Bristles," said Fred, laughingly.
"You'd have done just as much for me, or any of your chums, if the
chance came your way; and you know it."

"You just better believe I'm going to keep on the watch to pass this
along," declared the other, fervently.

"That's the way to talk," Fred remarked, looking pleased at being given
the opportunity to bring happiness to one he thought so much of as
Bristles; "and perhaps you'll be able to pull