th Parker and his three 'friends' in it, headin' two-forty for blue
water.

"'Let 'em go,' says old Gabe, contented. 'I wouldn't arrest 'em if I
could. This is no police-station job.'

"It come out afterwards that Parker was a young chap just from law
school, who had gone to work for the firm of shysters who was attendin'
to the Gordon interests. They had tracked Sterzer to the Old Home House,
and had put their new hand on the job of gettin' that agreement. Fust
he'd tried to shine up to Grace, but the shine--her part of it--had wore
off. Then he decided to steal it; and he done it, just how nobody knows.
Snow, the detective, says he cal'lates Henry, the servant, is wiser'n
most folks thinks, fur's that's concerned.

"Snow had found out about Parker inside of two days. Soon's he got the
report as to who he was, he was morally sartin that he was the thief.
He'd looked up Willie's record, too, and that was clear. In fact, Willie
helped him consider'ble. 'Twas him that recognized Parker, havin' seen
him play on a law-school team. Also 'twas Willie who thought of the
paper bein' in the football.

"Land of love! What a hero they made of that waiter!

"'By the livin' Moses!' bubbles old Gabe, shakin' both the boy's hands.
'That was the finest run and tackle and the finest kick I ever saw
anywhere. I've seen every big game for ten years, and I never saw
anything half so good.'

"The Pinkerton man laughed. 'There's only one chap on earth who can kick
like that. Here he is,' layin' his hand on 'Willie's' shoulder. Bearse,
the All-American half-back last year.'

"Gabe's mouth fell open. 'Not "Bung" Bearse, of Yarvard!' he sings out.
'Why! WHY!'

"'Of course, father!' purrs his daughter, smilin' and happy. 'I knew
him at once. He and I were--er--slightly acquainted when I was at
Highcliffe.'

"'But--but "Bung" Bearse!' gasps the old gent. 'Why, you rascal! I saw
you kick the goal that beat Haleton. Your reputation is worldwide.'

"Willie--Fred Bearse, that is--shook his head, sad and regretful.

"'Thank you, Mr. Sterzer,' says he, in his gentle tenor. 'I have no
desire to be famous in athletics. My aspirations now are entirely
literary.'

"Well, he's got his literary job at last, bein' engaged as sportin'
editor on one of Gabe's papers. His dad, old Sol Bearse, seems to be
pretty well satisfied, partic'lar as another engagement between the
Bearse family and the Sterzers has just been given out."

Barzilla helped h