a cup of coffee while Chester is finishing
his breakfast?" she said.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Abel was a boy who was always ready to eat and drink, and he accepted
the invitation with alacrity.

"So Mr. Tripp wants to see me?" said Chester. "Do you know what it's
about?"

"He'll tell you," answered Abel, evasively.

Chester was not specially interested or excited. He finished his
breakfast in a leisurely manner, and then taking his hat, went out with
Abel. It occurred to him that Mr. Tripp might be intending to discharge
Abel, and wished to see if he would return to his old place.

"So you don't know what he wants to see me about?" he asked.

"Well, I have an idea," answered Abel, in a mysterious tone.

"What is it, then?"

"Oh, I dassn't tell."

"Look here, Abel, I won't stir a step till you do tell me. You are
acting very strangely."

"Well, somethin' terrible has happened," Abel ejaculated, in excited
tones.

"What's it?"

"The store was robbed last night."

"The store was robbed?" repeated Chester. "What was taken?"

"Oh, lots and lots of money was taken from the drawer, and the window
in the back of the store was left open."

"I'm sorry to hear it. I didn't know there was anybody in Wyncombe that
would do such things. Does Mr. Tripp suspect anybody?"

"Yes, he does."

"Who is it?"

"He thinks you done it."

Chester stopped abruptly and looked amazed.

"Why, the man must be crazy! What on earth makes him think I would
stoop to do such a thing?"

"'Cause your handkerchief was found on a flour barrel 'side of the
money drawer."

"My handkerchief! Who says it was my handkerchief?"

"Your name was on it--in one corner; I seed it myself."

Then a light dawned upon Chester. The tramp whom he and his mother had
entertained the evening before, must have picked up his handkerchief,
and left it in the store to divert suspicion from himself. The
detective instinct was born within Chester, and now he felt impatient
to have the investigation proceed.

"Come on, Abel," he said, "I want to see about this matter."

"Well, you needn't walk so plaguy fast, wouldn't if I was you."

"Why not?"

"'Cause you'll probably have to go to jail. I'll tell you what I'd do."

"Well?"

"I'd hook it."

"You mean run away?"

"Yes."

"That's the last thing I'd do. Mr. Tripp would have a right to think I
was guilty in that case."

"Well, ain't you?"

"Abel Wood, I have a great mind to give you a licki