e over to
see the sweet-scented box. How strangely familiar was that pungent
perfume which floated up to them. Where had they smelled it before?

"It is made of carved sandalwood," continued Mrs. Nesbit, opening the
lid, "and I have always kept my handkerchiefs in it, you see----"

"Mother!" called David's voice from the hall, and Mrs. Nesbit left the
room for a moment.

"Sandalwood!" gasped Grace.

Yes, it was the same perfume that now faintly scented the famous
handkerchief.

There was a pile of handkerchiefs in the box. Grace lifted the top one
and sniffed at it. She examined the border carefully and the texture.

"It looks like stealing," she whispered, "but I must have this
handkerchief. I'll return it afterwards," and she slipped the
handkerchief into her belt.

Nora and Jessica had exchanged significant glances, while Nora's lips
had formed the words, "exactly like the other one."

In the meantime Miss Thompson had been closeted with Anne Pierson for
half an hour in the principal's office. By special request she had
arranged to have Anne's examination papers looked over immediately and
sent to her. The papers were therefore the first to receive attention
from each teacher, and were then turned over to Miss Thompson, who
hurried with them into her office and locked the door behind her.

"It would be a pity if they were too perfect," she said to herself.
"That would tell very much against Anne, I fear."

But, as her eyes ran over them, she shook her head dubiously. They were
marvels of neatness and not one cross or written comment marred their
perfection. At the foot of each sheet the word "perfect" had been
written. Some of the teachers had even added notes stating that no
errors of any sort had been found, while one professor had paid Anne the
very high compliment of stating that the perfection of her examination
papers had not been a surprise. Never in that teacher's experience had
he taught a more brilliant pupil. Miss Thompson looked with interest at
the algebra papers. If this had not come up, she thought, Miss Leece
would certainly have managed to find a flaw somewhere, even if she had
had to invent one. But under the circumstances, it was more to that wily
woman's purpose to give Anne her due. For Miss Leece knew that a perfect
examination paper would tell more against the young girl than for her.

It was after this that Miss Thompson had her talk with Anne, a very
kindly, interested talk, in w