f he does?"

"Yes; enough to get him back to Illinois. He ought never to have left
there."

Philip went to bed in a state of wonderment, but at the same time in a
state of satisfaction. Suspicion had been diverted from him, the real
culprit, and the boy whom he hated more than any other was likely to
suffer for his misdeeds.

If he had had a conscience, this thought ought to have made him
uncomfortable, but it did not. He thought, rather, that under cover of
this charge made against another, he and Congreve would be free to use
the proceeds of the stolen bonds, and he began even to plan in what way
he would spend his portion.

Meanwhile, a very different scene took place in the cottage of the
Gilberts, after the Colonel had taken his leave.

"I hope, Mr. Rogers," said Mrs. Gilbert to the constable, "you don't
believe my boy guilty of this base deed which the colonel charges upon
him?"

"I've always thought highly of Harry, ma'am," said the constable, "and I
can't think now he'd take anything that wasn't his; but it is rather
strange that them bonds should be found in this house now, ain't it?"

"No, indeed. Is the Colonel the only man in town that owns bonds?"

"I expect not; though, so far as my own experience goes, I know I ain't
got any. I always thought--begging your pardon, Mrs. Gilbert--that you
was poor, and now what am I to think?"

"You needn't think I am rich; but Harry owns those bonds, and they are
the reward of his own good conduct. Would you like to hear how he came
by them?"

"Yes, ma'am, if you don't mind telling me."

"I don't mind telling you, though I didn't choose to tell the Colonel."

Whereupon, Mrs. Gilbert related the story of the tin box secreted in the
wood, and how, through Harry's prompt action, those who had purloined it
had been brought to justice.

"You've got a smart boy, Mrs. Gilbert," said the constable, admiringly.
"I couldn't have done as well myself. There won't be any difficulty in
clearing Harry now."

"What would you advise, Mr. Rogers?"

"Nothing at present; but if we find it necessary to-morrow, we can get
that lawyer's testimony, which will certainly clear Harry of this
charge."

CHAPTER XXXIX

HOW CONGREVE SUCCEEDED

Philip would not have felt flattered if he had been able to read the
thoughts of his friend James Congreve, when the latter was riding away
from the village where he had been boarding, toward the g