an who
stole the fan."

"Then let me nearer. I think I have first right, don't you, Colonel?"

"You have, Phil!" Colonel Baxter made room for the boy to pass.

"Why I see!" cried Shirley. "It's somebody sneaking into Hermit's Hut."

"Who is it? Tell me Shirley!" exclaimed Kit.

"It--it looks like old Peter Gruff! It is! No mistake!"

"There, didn't I tell you all along there was something suspicious
about that old man!" Kit was jubilant. "He's slinking back to find
the fan."

"Well that clears you, Phil. Not even Edith Whalen can cast slurring
remarks at you now," said Bob.

"I'm glad to be free of this suspicion, but I'm sorry for that old
rascal, too."

"I wouldn't waste any sympathy on him," remarked Joy Evans
vindictively. "He let people believe you had done it and helped along
the suspicion by saying that you had tried to sell him a fan. I hope
he goes to jail!"

Colonel Baxter spoke: "Now come on out and let Shirley finish it up.
Could you get a good print by this evening? The plate would do, but
we'd like to have a clear print to show the old fellow. I'll go down
and see Chief Baldwin now."

"I'll have it ready at eight o'clock!" answered Shirley from the dark
room.

It was in the back room of Shirley's Shop where Chief Baldwin brought
old Peter Gruff, confronted him with the picture and accused him of
stealing the fan.

"I steal Colonel Baxter's fan!" he exclaimed violently. "Why should I
take the fan when I have enough of my own?"

"That is the question I am asking you. Now, Peter, confess and get it
over with. If you do not tell us everything, I'll send this picture to
the New York police and get your record. Maybe there is another
picture of you in the Rogues Gallery!"

The old man started excitedly. "No, no, don't do that!" he cried.
Then feeling that he had given himself away, added, "I don't like
policemen; they ask too many questions. I have done nothing. I'm an
old man and don't want to be disturbed."

"All right, Peter, out with the story! If you say you stole the fan,
we'll go easy with you. --That is, if you confess. The girls have
asked me not to be too hard on you."

"Those girls!" exclaimed Peter Gruff, throwing his hands up in dismay.
"They come and they come and they look into every corner of the shop!
They are a nuisance!"

The Chief laughed heartily. "All right Peter, now why did you take the
fan?"

"I wouldn't steal the fan," began Peter Gruff,