so on Saturday.

Mrs. Hamilton was a little surprised, for the Third Avenue tenant had
never before put her off. Something in Conrad's manner excited her
suspicion, and she resolved the next day to call herself on Mr. Clark,
the tenant. He would be likely to speak of the postponement, and give
reasons for it.

CHAPTER XXXV
TURNING THE TABLES

"Now Conrad," said Mrs. Hamilton, "will you tell me by what authority
you send away my visitors?"

"I didn't suppose you would want to see Ben," stammered Conrad.

"Why not?"

"After what he has done?"

"What has he done?"

"He stole your opera glass and pawned it."

"You are mistaken. It was stolen by a different person."

Conrad started uneasily, and his mother, who was not in the secret,
looked surprised.

"I know who took the opera glass," continued Mrs. Hamilton.

"Who was it?" asked the housekeeper.

"Your son, I regret to say."

"This is a slander!" exclaimed Mrs. Hill angrily. "Cousin Hamilton,
that boy has deceived you."

"My information did not come from Ben, if that is what you mean."

"My son would be incapable of stealing," continued Mrs. Hill.

"I should be glad to think so. It can easily be settled. Let Conrad
go with me tomorrow to the pawnbroker from whom I recovered the glass,
and see if he recognizes him."

"He would be sure to say it was me," stammered Conrad.

"At any rate he told me it was not Ben, who made no opposition to
accompanying me."

"I see there is a plot against my poor boy," said Mrs. Hill bitterly.

"On the contrary, I shall be glad to believe him innocent. But there
is another matter that requires investigation. Conrad, here is a
letter which has come for you. Are you willing I should open and read
it?"

"I don't like to show my letters," said Conrad sullenly.

"The boy is right," said his mother, always ready to back up her son.

"I have good reason for wishing to know the contents of the letter,"
said Mrs. Hamilton sternly. "I will not open it, unless Conrad
consents, but I will call on the brokers and question them as to their
motive in addressing it to a boy."

Conrad was silent. He saw that there was no escape for him.

"Shall I read it?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.

"Yes," answered Conrad feebly.

The letter was opened.

It ran thus:

"Mr. Conrad Hill:

"You will be kind enough to call at our office at once, and pay
commission due us for buying add selling fifty shares Pacific Ma