those fine chaps at Belleville a
gross injustice to even hint at their thinking of spying on us."

Thad grinned as though he had won a point.

"Well, I take it all back, then, Hugh," he hastened to say, contritely.
"And now that point's settled, there's only one more thing it could be
about."

"Notice that shrub bursting into bloom, will you?" remarked Hugh. "No
one ever saw a prettier sight than that is right now."

"Have you learned anything more about----"

"We'll take a turn here, and walk along the canal toward the big
mill-pond," interrupted Hugh. "That's always a favorite walk of mine;
and, to tell the truth, I haven't been out to the mill-pond for a long
time. The fishing there hasn't been very good this season, some of the
boys told me. Besides, I've been kept so busy with my studies,
baseball matters, and several other things I'm interested in, that I
haven't had much time for fishing this spring. Nobody loves it more
than I do, either, as you happen to know."

Thad heaved a sigh, and shook his head.

"No use trying to coax you, Hugh, when you've made up your mind not to
let out even a little peep. A fellow might wheedle until he fell over,
and you'd still be as hard as adamant. Yet it's right. Makes me think
of the old saying that a single man can lead a mule to water, but a
dozen can't make him drink--not comparing you to a mule, of course."

They chatted as they walked, until presently the town had been left
behind them.

"Now I'll open up and tell you what's been worrying me," announced
Hugh, suddenly. "The fact of the matter is, I was called over to
Madame Pangborn's this morning after getting home from church. She
told me a third spoon has disappeared!"

"Great guns! is that so, Hugh? And, say, was Owen there on the day it
went glimmering?" demanded Thad, frowning.

"I'm sorry to have to say yes to that," returned Hugh, slowly. "It was
yesterday it happened. She persisted in leaving the spoons just where
I saw them. I advised her to do that, for if they were hidden away we
might never discover the thief. As on the other occasions, Owen came
in with a bundle for the Red Cross, sent by the same lady who had
intrusted him with a package twice before."

"All I can say is, it's getting a heap serious for our new friend,
Owen. Hugh, do you think the poor chap might be what they call a
kleptomaniac; that is a person who has an irresistible inclination to
take things that don't bel