are irresistibly impelled to take
something that excites their cupidity. I am prone to believe most of
them find it possible to resist such an inclination. Still, alas! I
have known of occasions where the temptation carried the day. This
seems to be one of them. My heart is feeling very sore over it, too.
I thought at first to speak to Chief Wambold, but somehow I hesitated.
And then it happened precisely as before."

"Do you mean to say you have missed something on two separate
occasions, ma'am?" Hugh hastened to ask, beginning to realize now that
"where there was smoke there must be a fire," and that after all there
was something more in this affair than a mere specter brought into
being through an old lady's whim.

"Yes, it has occurred twice, and on each occasion that same boy chanced
to be in my house. Oh! it is too bad, too bad! And he such a quiet
and respectful young chap in the bargain."

"Please tell me more about it, for I can't possibly be of any
assistance to you, Mrs. Pangborn, unless I know the facts," Hugh
continued, his curiosity beginning to rise by jumps.

"The first time," the old lady went on to say, consulting what seemed
to be a diary which she picked up from her overloaded table, "was just
a week ago today. I had been busy as usual, for an additional number
of pieces came in from those kind ladies of Scranton who are helping me
sew for the brave wounded poilus of my country, valiant France. This
lad brought in a package which Mrs. Ackerman had given into his charge.
I remember I chatted with him quite a while, and was interested in all
he said so respectfully; for it happened I had heard a number of
peculiar things in the way of town gossip concerning him and his aged
grandfather."

She paused as if to recover her breath. Hugh, on his part, had started
as though he might have received a sudden shock. Possibly his thoughts
flew instantly toward one particular boy who happened to have an old
grandfather, and about whom there had always been more or less
mysterious comment in the town.

"After he had gone away, letting himself out at my request, so as to
save Sarah from coming up from the kitchen, I had occasion to pass into
the other room, which also opens into the front hall. Something
impelled me to idly count over some souvenir spoons that I have
personally collected from various parts of the world, and each one of
which has a peculiar value for me far, far beyond its pecuniar