ied himself that all was well, the prowler
went on with his work, finally tiptoeing into the front room where Mrs.
Gray was sleeping. Evidently he had made a circuit of the three bedrooms
on that side of the house. As he slipped out Grace leaped from the bed.
Now was the time for action. Putting on her dressing gown and slippers
she dashed to the door leading into the hall, only to come upon the
burglar again who had probably been frightened in his last venture and
had retired to the hall for safety.

Fortunately he was standing with his back to her while he closed the
door, and feeling that she was safe for the moment, she crouched in the
shadow of the doorway. The thief evidently thought he also was safe, for
he seized a large, heavy-looking valise from the floor and made straight
for the steps without looking to right or left.

Now a door across the hall opened and another figure appeared. Grace
trembled for a moment, fearing it might be another thief. She had always
heard they traveled in pairs. But it was David, wrapped in a long gray
dressing gown, looking for all the world like a monk.

He glanced up and down the hall for a moment, then tapped on the door of
the next room and without waiting for an answer walked in. In an instant
he was out again and had started swiftly down the stairs, Grace
following him. She had intended to speak to him, but it had all taken
place so quickly there was no time. David made straight for the dining
room, opening the heavy door. The room was brightly lighted. In a flash,
Grace saw on the table a pile of the beautiful Gray silver, brought over
from England by past generations of Grays. Grace never knew what
instinct prompted her to enter the dining room by the butler's pantry at
the very end of the long hall. As she pushed the swinging door, she
heard David say:

"You low blackguard, what do you mean by stealing your aunt's silver?"

Grace started at the mention of the word "aunt." It was, then, the
wretched Tom Gray who was robbing his own relative!

"Get out!" returned the other coldly, "and attend to your own business.
You are only a kid."

"Give up those things you have stolen, or I'll pound you to a jelly!"
cried David, making a rush at the burglar, who dodged nimbly.

Then Grace had an inspiration, which assuredly saved David from very
disagreeable consequences. Real burglars, like rattlesnakes, are not
likely to be dangerous except when they are disturbed. It is then