y," responded Mr. Tripp.
"My store was robbed last night of thirty-seven dollars and sixty
cents."

"Sho, Silas, how you talk!"

"It's true, and there stands the thief!"

"I am sitting, Mr. Tripp," said Chester smiling.

"See how he brazens it out! What a hardened young villain he is!"

"Come, Silas, you must be crazy," expostulated the constable, who felt
very friendly to Chester. "Chester wouldn't no more steal from you than
I would."

"I thought so myself, but when I found his handkerchief, marked with
his name, on a flour barrel, I was convinced."

"Is that so, Chester?"

"Yes, the handkerchief is mine."

"It wasn't here last night," proceeded Silas, "and it was here this
morning. It stands to reason that it couldn't have walked here itself,
and so of course it was brought here."

By this time two other villagers entered the store.

"What do you say to that, Chester?" said the constable, beginning to be
shaken in his conviction of Chester's innocence.

"I agree with Mr. Tripp. It must have been brought here."

At this moment, Mrs. Rand and the minister whom she had met on the way,
entered the store.

"Glad to see you, widder," said Silas Tripp, grimly. "I hope you ain't
a-goin' to stand up for your son in his didoes."

"I shall certainly stand by Chester, Mr. Tripp. What is the trouble?"

"Only that he came into my store in the silent watches of last night,"
answered Silas, sarcastically, "and made off with thirty-seven dollars
and sixty cents."

"It's a falsehood, whoever says it," exclaimed Mrs. Rand, hotly.

"I supposed you'd stand up for him," sneered Silas.

"And for a very good reason. During the silent watches of last night,
as you express it, Chester was at home and in bed to my certain
knowledge."

"While his handkerchief walked over here and robbed the store,"
suggested Silas Tripp, with withering sarcasm, as he held up the
telltale evidence of Chester's dishonesty.

"Was this handkerchief found in the store?" asked Mrs. Rand, in
surprise.

"Yes, ma'am, it was, and I calculate you'll find it hard to get over
that evidence."

Mrs. Rand's face lighted up with a sudden conviction.

"I think I can explain it," she said, quietly.

"Oh, you can, can you? Maybe you can tell who took the money."

"I think I can."

All eyes were turned upon her in eager expectation.

"A tramp called at our house last evening," she said, "at about
half-past nine, and I gave him a meal, as he pro