ng. Don't you know
me any better than that?"

"Then why did you leave the handkerchief on the flour barrel?"

"That'll come out in due time."

They were near the store where Mr. Tripp was impatiently waiting for
their appearance. He did not anticipate Abel's staying to breakfast,
and his suspicions were excited.

"I'll bet Chester Rand has left town with the money," he groaned. "Oh,
it's awful to have your hard earnin's carried off so sudden. I'll send
Chester to jail unless he returns it--every cent of it."

Here Abel entered the store, followed by Chester.

CHAPTER VIII.

A SCENE IN THE GROCERY STORE.

"So you've come, have you, you young thief?" said Silas, sternly, as
Chester entered the store. "Ain't you ashamed of yourself?"

"No, I'm not," Chester answered, boldly. "I've done nothing to be
ashamed of."

"Oh, you hardened young villain. Give me the money right off, or I'll
send you to jail."

"I hear from Abel that the store was robbed last night, and I suppose
from what you say that you suspect me."

"So I do."

"Then you are mistaken. I spent all last night at home as my mother can
testify."

"Then how came your handkerchief here?" demanded Silas, triumphantly,
holding up the article.

"It must have been brought here."

"Oho, you admit that, do you? I didn't know but you'd say it came here
itself."

"No, I don't think it did."

"I thought you'd own up arter a while."

"I own up to nothing."

"Isn't the handkerchief yours?"

"Yes."

"Then you stay here while Abel goes for the constable. You've got to be
punished for such doin's. But I'll give ye one chance. Give me back the
money you took--thirty-seven dollars and sixty cents--and I'll forgive
ye, and won't have you sent to jail."

"That is a very kind offer, Mr. Tripp, and if I had taken the money I
would accept it, and thank you. But I didn't take it."

"Go for the constable, Abel, and mind you hurry. You just stay where
you are, Chester Rand. Don't you go for to run away."

Chester smiled. He felt that he had the key to the mystery, but he
chose to defer throwing light upon it.

"On the way, Abel," said Chester, "please call at our house and ask my
mother to come to the store."

"All right, Chester."

The constable was the first to arrive.

"What's wanted, Silas?" he asked, for in country villages neighbors are
very apt to call one another by their Christian names.

"There's been robbery and burglary, Mr. Bood