t, and vice
versa," replied the chief. "The second wagon broke down when about half
way home. It took over half an hour to get it fixed, so when it did
arrive the girls in the head wagon had all gone home. Your mother grew
uneasy when ten o'clock came, so she telephoned your friends, and on
comparing notes you were found to be among the missing."

"What a mix-up," laughed Grace. "No wonder I wasn't missed. I'm sorry
mother was uneasy, but she'll forgive me when she hears my tale. Oh,
I hope nothing has happened to the poor old judge."

"Well, we'll soon know," replied the chief. "Now, you just take it easy
and rest until your father comes. You need it after a twelve-mile walk.
Of all the brave little girls----"

The ringing of the telephone cut the chief short.

Grace gave a long sigh and leaned back in the big chair. She was so
tired. Her eyelids drooped----

"Well, I declare!" said the chief, as he turned from the telephone, for
Grace was fast asleep.

CHAPTER XXIV

CONCLUSION

The special policemen sent out to the Putnam estate were not doomed to
disappointment. After an hour's waiting, their patience was rewarded,
and the two housebreakers appeared upon the scene. Before they could do
any damage they were apprehended and a bag containing a complete outfit
of burglar's tools was taken away from them. They fought desperately,
but without avail, and were marched to jail to await their hearing.

Judge Putnam was greatly agitated over the affair. He had a large sum of
money in the house, not to mention old family silver and other
valuables.

"I realize I've had a narrow escape," he exclaimed to the chief the next
day. "I might have been murdered in cold blood. I'll have a burglar
alarm put in at once and a telephone, too. I had no business to let all
the servants except old James go for the night. Who did you say brought
the news? Tom Harlowe's little girl? She always was a wide awake
youngster. I wonder what I can do for her to show her that I appreciate
her bravery?"

"I don't believe she'd accept anything, Judge," replied the chief.
"She's not that sort."

"We shall see. We shall see," said the judge, rubbing his hands. "I have
a plan I think she'll listen to."

In the meantime, on reaching home Grace had been cried over by her
mother and put to bed as though she were a baby. The story had been told
by her chums throughout the school the next day, and Grace found herself
the "observed of all