that last evening the trunk in which I keep a part of my securities
was opened, and two government bonds abstracted."

"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mr. Wilkins, really surprised. "When did
it happen?"

"Sometime in the evening or night. The outer door was left unlocked,
through the neglect of my son, Philip, who sat up later than his mother
or myself. Unfortunately, I had myself carelessly left my bunch of keys,
including the key to this trunk, on my desk, so that the thief found his
work very easy."

"You and Philip were both careless. Have you got track of the rogue?"

"I think I have," answered Colonel Ross, in a significant tone.

"I'm glad on't. These fellows ought to be caught. I don't have much
sympathy for a thief."

"I am glad to hear you say so," said Colonel Ross.

"You didn't think I had, did you?" asked the old man, puzzled.

"I thought you might have, when you came to know who it was I suspect."

"I don't see as that will make any difference. Who is it?"

"My son, just before retiring, saw a person prowling round the house,
and looking into the window. Doubtless, he saw the bunch of keys, and
was tempted to enter and steal the bonds."

"Have you arrested him?"

"Not yet; but probably I shall before long."

"Who is it, Colonel Ross?" asked Mrs. Gilbert, with interest.

"Madam," said the Colonel, slowly, "it pains me to say that the person
seen prowling round my house, and looking in at my window, was your son,
Harry!"

"Harry!" ejaculated the widow, scarcely thinking she had heard aright.

"It's ridiculous!" exclaimed Uncle Obed.

"Colonel Ross," said Harry, rising to his feet, and confronting the
visitor, with clear eyes and an expression of honest indignation, "do
you mean to say that you suspect me of stealing any of your property?"

"Young man, I advise you not to be impudent or brazen-faced. Do you mean
to deny that you were near my house last evening between half-past nine
and ten o'clock?"

"No, I don't. I did pass your house about that time."

"I am glad you have the sense to own it. You may as well confess the
rest--that you entered through the unlocked door, opened my small trunk,
and took out two government bonds of a hundred dollars each."

"Whoever charges me with that utters a falsehood," said Harry, boldly.
"I passed your house, but I did not enter it, and did not even look in
the window, and it is news to me that the door was unlocked, or the keys
on the desk. In f