nd compasses in the window.

"Where's Mr. Boyd? Where's little Joy's Uncle Bobo?"

"Gone! He has sold the business; he is gone right away."

"Gone! And where's Joy--little Miss Joy? I tell you I will know. And
where is my mother?"

"Look here, youngster! This matter must be cleared up. You'll not be
let off so easy; but if you confess, well--we shan't be hard on you."

"Confess _what_?" Jack shouted now. He was getting very angry, and
repeated, "Confess _what_?"

"Oh, that's all very fine! Perhaps you've forgotten you ran away and
broke your poor mother's heart, and took my little cash-box with you
with four pounds odd money in it," said his aunt.

"It's convenient to forget. You'd better not try to fool _me_," said
Mr. Skinner. "Your aunt's key of that drawer was in her little
key-basket. You slily took it out, and when the house was quiet,
opened the drawer and put the box in your pocket I see!"

Jack's face grew crimson. He felt very much inclined to fly at Mr.
Skinner's throat, and pummel him well with his strong young fist. But
the vision of his mother and little Miss Joy rose before him, and with
a desperate effort he controlled himself.

"Prove what you say, and don't call me a thief till you have proved me
one."

"Well, it's my duty--my painful duty," said Mr. Skinner, "to lock you
up till I have fetched a policeman, and communicated with your mother."

"You needn't _lock_ me up," said Jack proudly. "If I say I'll stay
here, I'll stay. Indeed, I will stay till you have made it all clear.
Your little cash-box! Aunt Pinckney----"

"No, no, not Aunt Pinckney; I am Mrs. Skinner now."

The tone was so sad that Jack's boyish heart was touched.

"Do you think I could steal a penny of yours, aunt, when you had kept
me and mother all those years? Will you send for her? and I will stay
till she comes."

But Mr. Skinner pushed Jack into the kitchen behind the parlour.

He had just turned the key in the lock, when a voice was heard in the
shop--Bet's voice.

"I have brought you some fresh eggs, and half a pound of butter, Aunt
Skinner," she said. "Aunt Maggie sent them with her love. What is
amiss, Aunt?"

"Child," Mrs. Skinner said, "Jack is come home. Your uncle has locked
him up in the kitchen. Hush! here he is."

"Well, what are you prying about here for?" Mr. Skinner said. "Oh,
eggs! My dear, poach me a couple for supper; I'm fond of poached eggs."

But Bet stood on one