n up with other things this past week, I may have
done almost anything. By the way, Mother, I'm sure you'll be glad to hear
that Judge Blackwell has made me a most generous offer of business
relations, and that I have decided to accept it."

Amid the exclamations of delight over this bit of news, the hat was
forgotten for a time, and when the mother and sister finally reverted to
it and began to discuss how it could have gotten on the closet shelf, he
broke in upon their questions with a suggestion.

"I should advise, Mother, that you make a thorough search for your
rain-coat. I am sure now that you must have overlooked it. Such things
often happen. We were so excited the morning Cornelia missed the hat that
I suppose no one looked thoroughly."

"But that is impossible, Tryon," said his mother, with dignity. "I had
that closet searched most carefully."

"Nevertheless, Mother, please me by looking again. That closet is dark,
and I would suggest a light."

"Of course, if you wish it," said his mother stiffly. "You might look,
yourself."

"I'm afraid I shall not have time this morning," professed the coward.
"But suppose you look in your own closets, too, Mother. I'm sure you'll
find it somewhere. It couldn't get out of the house of itself, and Norah
is no thief. The idea is preposterous. Please have it attended to
carefully to-day. Good-by. I shall have to hurry down-town, and I can't
tell just what time I shall get back this evening. 'Phone me if you find
the coat anywhere. If you don't find it, I'll buy you another this
afternoon."

"I shall _not_ find the rain-coat," said his mother sternly, "but of
course I will look to satisfy you. I _know_ it is not in this house."

He beat a hasty retreat, for he did not care to be present at the finding
of the rain-coat.

"There is something strange about this," said Mrs. Dunham, as with ruffled
dignity she emerged from the hall closet, holding her lost rain-coat at
arm's length. "You don't suppose your brother could be playing some kind
of a joke on us, do you, Cornie? I never did understand jokes."

"Of course not," said practical Cornelia, with a sniff. "It's my opinion
that Norah knows all about the matter, and Tryon has been helping her out
with a few suggestions."

"Now, Cornelia, what do you mean by that? You surely don't suppose your
brother would try to deceive us--his mother and sister?"

"I didn't say that, Mother," answered Cornelia, with her head in the