ly."

"Oh! I'm so glad, for Owen's sake particularly!" declared Thad. "Now
I must manage to get this spoon back in his den without his ever
suspecting I took it; but that ought to be easy. I hope he never knows
he was under suspicion, because he's very proud, and it would hurt him
terribly."

"What makes me think a near-miracle has been performed," added Hugh,
soberly, "is the way all this came about. Only for our taking that
walk we wouldn't have been near Hobson's mill-pond at just the minute
little Brutus was struggling in the water, and so been able to pull him
out. That in turn took us to his home; and his mother had to dip in by
wanting us to see how her precious pickaninny played with his toys back
in the old cabin. It's wonderful, that's all I can say."

"But, Hugh, you deserve all the credit," affirmed Thad. "In the first
place, you took this heavy task on your shoulders, and started to find
out who was guilty of robbing your good old friend, Madame Pangborn.
It's been an uphill fight from the start, but here we've reached the
finish in a blaze of glory. But won't the old lady be astonished when
we show her the spoons, and tell her just how they were found."

She certainly was, and made them go into the most particular details
concerning the matter. Just as wise Hugh had believed would be the
case, she did not blame Sarah in the least; nor did she declare the
little chap would surely grow up to be a disgrace to his mother. Her
kindly heart knew the failings of small boys better than to condemn a
child for a weakness. She did say she would have a good talk with
Sarah, and advise her as to how she should try to train Brutus so that
this very trait might serve to his credit instead of being always a
weakness.

"And as for Owen," she concluded, "I am more than ever satisfied that
his is a sterling character. I want to see more of that boy; and I'm
determined to make the acquaintance of his grandfather. I feel
absolutely certain that the old gentleman has been misunderstood by
thoughtless people in Scranton; and from little hints Owen has dropped,
I fully believe it will turn out that Mr. Dugdale is a man of some
consequence, perhaps even renown, in his own country; though just why
he left it, and has been living in retirement here these two years, is
a matter that concerns only himself. But you boys have acquitted
yourselves handsomely in this affair, and brought me much happiness.
Come and see