dded Mr. Wittleworth, rubbing his chin and
pouting his lips, as was his habit when his bump of self-esteem was
rubbed; though it was a notable fact that he always rubbed it
himself--nobody else ever appeared to do so.

"It was kind of you to come when I sent for you," said Maggie, willing
to give him all the credit she could.

"I came; I saw--" but he did not conquer. "I saw the papers, and I
undertook to manage the business for Miss Maggimore. I was willing to
give her the full benefit of my knowledge and experience, though my
doing so came very near involving me in a painful difficulty."

"I am very sorry for that," interposed Maggie.

"It was all on account of my own excessive expenditure of good-nature.
I wished to do you a good turn, and Checkynshaw a good turn. So far as
Checkynshaw was concerned, it was a mistake; I am willing to confess
that it was a blunder on my part. I confided in his honor. I might have
known better, for Checkynshaw is a cur--Checkynshaw is."

Mr. Wittleworth slipped lightly over the "painful difficulty" in which
he was so nearly involved. He was willing to give Maggie the benefit of
his knowledge and experience in negotiating the strictly business
matter in relation to the reward; but Checkynshaw basely calumniated
him, and bit the hand that was extended to serve him.

"Mr. Checkynshaw came here, with the constable, and inquired into all
the circumstances attending the finding of the papers," said Maggie,
tired of Mr. Wittleworth's tedious exordium. "He was entirely satisfied
with what we had done."

Maggie then explained the manner in which the papers had come into
Leo's chest; that they were concealed there by "Pilky Wayne."

"Mr. Checkynshaw was very good and very kind," she added, with
enthusiasm.

"Checkynshaw?" exclaimed Fitz, incredulously.

"He was, indeed."

"Checkynshaw don't know how to be good and kind--Checkynshaw don't. It
isn't in him."

"Indeed, he does!" protested Maggie.

"So he does!" chimed in Leo, who was very grateful to Mr. Checkynshaw
for buying his merchandise and recommending it to his friends. "I blow
for Checkynshaw!"

"Mr. Checkynshaw has been very kind to us, and we feel grateful to him
for his goodness," added Andre, in his mild, silky-toned voice.

"I know Checkynshaw. I've summered him and wintered him; and you have
to summer and winter a man like Checkynshaw before you know him. My
friend Choate knows him. Me and Choate both know him. Che