If that will be satisfactory to Colonel Ross. I want him satisfied."

"As long as I am present, with a right to examine, I shall not object."

"It seems to me, Colonel Ross," remarked Uncle Obed, "you are not
treating the boy right."

"It is immaterial to me what you think, Mr. Wilkins," replied the
Colonel, with asperity.

"Mebbe so," said the old man. "I calculate it won't always be so. The
time may come when you will care more for my opinion."

"You flatter yourself unduly, Mr. Wilkins, I assure you."

"Mebbe so," answered the old man, not appearing at all discomposed by
the rude tone of his niece's husband.

"We will begin here, gentlemen," said Mrs. Gilbert.

So saying, she went about from place to place down below, opening
whatever drawers there were, even in the pantry, and revealing nothing
that looked like the bonds.

"I didn't expect they were downstairs," said the Colonel.

"Then we will go upstairs. You shall not say that we have concealed
anything or shrunk from any investigation."

"Very well."

Mrs. Gilbert thereupon led the way upstairs, and the search began.
Finally, they came to her own bureau. The upper drawer was opened, and
the sharp eyes of the Colonel detected a large envelope. It was the one
that contained the bonds which had been presented to Harry for his
service in ferreting out the burglars in the wood.

Singular as it may seem, neither Harry nor his mother had thought of
them, and the false inference that might be drawn from their discovery.
It was natural, therefore, that each should look startled and
discomposed.

"Ha! what have we here?" demanded Colonel Ross, clutching the envelope.

"Those are my property," said Harry, who was the first to recover his
self-possession.

"I will take the liberty to examine. Ha! government bonds, as I live.
Constable, what do you say now?" demanded the Colonel, triumphantly.

The constable, who knew nothing of Harry's gift, looked very
uncomfortable indeed. Despite his belief in Harry's honesty, he was
staggered by this apparent evidence to the contrary.

"What is this, Mrs. Gilbert?" he asked.

"They are bonds belonging to Harry. He speaks the truth."

"A likely story," exclaimed Colonel Ross. "Really, Mrs. Gilbert, your
conduct is most extraordinary. I begin to think you had some knowledge
of your son's act."

"Colonel Ross, don't you dare to insult my mother," said Harry, so
fiercely that the Colonel retreated a little, under t