"What kind of a bank book?" inquired Mr. Norris.

"I had nearly a thousand dollars deposited in the Sixpenny Savings Bank.
I called at the bank to make some inquiries about interest, and when I
came out I presume some rascal followed me and stole the book----"

"Have you any idea who took it?"

"I got into the horse cars, near the bank; next to me sat a young man in
a light overcoat. There was no one on the other side of me. I think he
must have taken it."

"That was Stuyvesant," said Carl to himself.

"When did this happen, Aunt Rachel?"

"Three days since."

"Why didn't you do something about it before?"

"I did. I advertised a reward of twenty-five dollars to anyone who would
restore it to me."

"There was no occasion for that. By giving notice at the bank, they
would give you a new book after a time."

"I preferred to recover the old one. Besides, I thought I would like to
know what became of it."

"I can tell you, Miss Norris," said Carl, who thought it time to speak.

Hitherto Miss Norris had not seemed aware of Carl's presence. She turned
abruptly and surveyed him through her glasses.

"Who are you?" she asked.

This might seem rude, but it was only Miss Rachel's way.

"My name is Carl Crawford."

"Do I know you?"

"No, Miss Norris, but I hope you will."

"Humph! that depends. You say you know what became of my bank book?"

"Yes, Miss Norris."

"Well?"

"It was taken by the young man who sat next to you."

"How do you know?"

"He robbed me last night on the way from New York in a Hudson River
steamboat."

"That doesn't prove that he robbed me. I was robbed here in this city."

"What do you say to this?" asked Carl, displaying the bank book.

"Bless me! That is my book. Where did you get it?"

Carl told his story briefly, how, on discovering that he had been
robbed, he explored the stateroom and found the bank book.

"Well, well, I am astonished! And how did you know Mr. Norris was my
nephew?"

"I didn't know. I didn't know anything about him or you, but finding his
name in the directory, I came here to ask if he knew any such person."

"You are a smart boy, and a good, honest one," said Miss Norris. "You
have earned the reward, and shall have it."

"I don't want any reward, Miss Norris," rejoined Carl. "I have had very
little trouble in finding you."

"That is of no consequence. I offered the reward, and Rachel Norris is a
woman of her word."

She thrust her hand in