s was the first knowledge Mrs. Pitkin or
her husband had of the transaction referred to.

"What do you mean, Uncle Oliver?" demanded Mr. Pitkin.

Mr. Carter explained.

"This is too much!" said Mrs. Pitkin angrily.

"You mean to accuse my poor boy of opening the letter and stealing the
money?"

"If I was as ready to bring accusations as you, Lavinia, I should
undoubtedly say that it looked a little suspicious, but I prefer to let
the matter rest."

"I think, Mr. Pitkin, we had better go," said Mrs. Pitkin, rising with
dignity. "Since Uncle Oliver chooses to charge his own nephew with being
a thief----"

"I beg pardon, Lavinia, I have not done so."

"You might just as well," said Lavinia Pitkin, tossing her head. "Come,
Mr. Pitkin; come, my poor Lonny, we will go home. This is no place for
you."

"Good-evening, Lavinia," said Mr. Carter calmly. "I shall be glad to see
you whenever you feel like calling."

"When you have discharged that boy, I may call again," said Mrs. Pitkin
spitefully.

"You will have to wait some time, then. I am quite capable of managing
my own affairs."

When Mr. Pitkin had left the house, by no means in a good humor, Phil
turned to his employer and said gratefully:

"I don't know how to thank you, Mr. Carter, for your kind confidence in
me. I admit that the story I told you is a strange one, and I could not
have blamed you for doubting me."

"But I don't doubt you, my dear Philip," said Mr. Carter kindly.

"Nor I," said Mrs. Forbush. "I feel provoked with Lavinia and her
husband for trying to throw discredit upon your statement."

"In fact," said Mr. Carter humorously, "the only one of us that
suspected you was Julia."

"Oh, Uncle Oliver!" exclaimed Julia, in dismay. "I never dreamed of
doubting Phil."

"Then," said Mr. Carter, "it appears that you have three friends, at
least."

"If," said Phil? "you would allow me to make up part of the loss, by
surrendering a part of my salary----"

"Couldn't be thought of, Philip!" said Uncle Oliver resolutely. "I don't
care for the money, but I should like to know how the thief happened to
know that to-day you received money instead of a check."

Without saying a word to Phil, Uncle Oliver called the next day on a
noted detective and set him to work ferreting out the secret.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE FALSE HEIR.

In the suburbs of Chicago, perhaps a dozen miles from the great city,
stands a fine country house, in the midst of a