ole story, the wicked boys," thought
Kyzie, indignantly. "But I can't hurry about it; I must be very
careful. I think I'll wait till to-morrow."

So she calmed herself and called out her classes. Katharine was a
"golden girl," and had a strong sense of justice. She would say nothing
yet to her father, for the boys might possibly be innocent; still she
went home that afternoon feeling that she had almost made a discovery.

"Good evening, Grandmother Graymouse," said Uncle James, as they were
all seated on the veranda after dinner, "do I understand that you are
hunting for a watch?"

"I'm hunting for it, oh, yes," replied Kyzie, trying not to look too
triumphant; "but I haven't found it yet. Just wait till to-morrow, Uncle
James."

"I don't believe we'll wait another minute!" declared Mr. Sanford,
looking around with a roguish smile. "I see the Dunlee people are all
here, Jimmum, Lucy, and all. Attention, my friends! The thief has been
found!"

"What thief?" asked Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Dunlee.

"Why, _the_ thief! The one we're looking for! The one that stole the
watch!"

"Do you really mean it?" asked the ladies again. "Did he bring it back?"

"Come and see," said Uncle James, leading the way upstairs.

"Of course it's Joe Rolfe," thought Kyzie. "I suppose he was frightened
by what I said to Henry Small."

"Is the thief in your room, Uncle James?" said Jimmy. "Why didn't you
put him in jail?"

"Ah, Jimmum, do you think all thieves ought to go to jail? I once knew a
little boy who stole a chimney right off a house; yet I never heard a
word said about putting _him_ in jail!

"But here we are at the chamber door. Stand behind me, all of you, in
single file."

X

THE THIEF FOUND

"I don't know so much as I thought I did," said Kyzie to herself. "Joe
Rolfe wouldn't be in this room."

For Uncle James was knocking at the door of Number Five.

"Walk right in," said Mrs. McQuilken, coming to meet her guests. She had
her knitting in one hand. "Come in, all of you. Why, Mr. Templeton, are
you here too? You wouldn't have taken me into your house if you'd known
I was a thief; now would you, Mr. Templeton?"

And laughing, she put her right hand in her apron pocket and drew out a
gold watch and chain.

"If this belongs to anybody present, let him step up and claim his
property."

Mr. Dunlee came forward in amazement, while Jimmy gave a little squeal
of delight.

"This is mine, thank you, madam," said M