," said I, "to think anything about it. I say,
Jack," I added, blushing a little, "got that photo about you?"

Jack handed out his treasure, and we fell-to talking a good deal about
the original of the picture, which interested me quite as much as it did
Jack.

"Do you know, Fred," said he, presently, "she doesn't know anything
about--about father? She believes she is an orphan, and that I am the
only relation she has."

"I'm sure," said I, "it's far better so."

"Yes," said Jack, sadly. "At present it is. But some day she ought to
know."

"Why?" said I.

"If he ever--but we're not going to talk of that. What do you say to
turning in? That's half-past ten striking by the church."

So ended the first day of suspense.

I regret to say that my last act that day was one of petty larceny!

During our talk about Mary I had held the photograph in my hand, looking
at it occasionally, and occasionally laying it down on my knee. When
Jack rose and proposed turning in for the night he gathered together the
other papers he had taken from his pocket and replaced them. But,
strangely enough, he forgot to look for the photograph, or else supposed
it was with the other papers.

It wasn't, for it lay under my hand all the while, and presently, when
his back was turned, it lay in my pocket.

Later on, when the lights were out and all was quiet, it lay under my
pillow for greater security!

No wonder the reader is shocked! If ever there was a clear case of
purloining this was. I know it, dear reader. I knew it at the time,
and yet I did it.

For I had a motive, which perhaps the reader can guess.

The picture which had lain first under my hand, then in my pocket, then
under my pillow, experienced yet another change of situation that night.

Just as the first streak of dawn struggled through the window I heard a
door close and a footstep in the room below. Mr Smith had come home.

Lightly and silently I crept from my bed, and with my treasure in my
hand sped down the stairs and slipped into his room.

And for an hour after that the picture lay in a hand which had never
touched it before, and the bright laughing eyes looked up and met the
tearful eyes of a father!

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

HOW SEVERAL VISITORS CALLED AT OUR LODGINGS.

Billy arrived punctually as we were dressing next morning in great good-
humour.

"What cheer, covies?" cried he before he was well in the room. "She's
come back!"