fessed to be hungry and
penniless. It was some minutes after ten when he left the house. He
must have picked up Chester's handkerchief, and left it in your store
after robbing the money drawer."

"That's all very fine," said Silas, incredulously, "but I don't know as
there was any tramp. Nobody saw him but you."

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Tripp," said the minister, "but I saw him about
half-past ten walking in the direction of your store. I was returning
from visiting a sick parishioner when I met a man roughly dressed and
of middle height, walking up the street. He was smoking a pipe."

"He lighted it before leaving our house," said Mrs. Rand.

"How did he know about my store?" demanded Silas, incredulously.

"He was asking questions about you while he was eating his supper."

Silas Tripp was forced to confess, though reluctantly, that the case
against Chester was falling to the ground. But he did not like to give
up.

"I'd like to know where Chester got the money he's been flauntin' round
the last week," he said.

"Probably he stole it from your store last night," said the constable,
with good-natured sarcasm.

"That ain't answerin' the question."

"I don't propose to answer the question," said Chester, firmly. "Where
I got my money is no concern of Mr. Tripp, as long as I don't get it
from him."

"Have I got to lose the money?" asked Silas, in a tragical tone. "It's
very hard on a poor man."

All present smiled, for Silas was one of the richest men in the
village.

"We might take up a contribution for you, Silas," said the constable,
jocosely.

"Oh, it's all very well for you to joke about it, considerin' you
didn't lose it."

At this moment Abel Wood, who had been sweeping the piazza, entered the
store in excitement.

"I say, there's the tramp now," he exclaimed.

"Where? Where?" asked one and another.

"Out in the street. Constable Perkins has got him."

"Call him in," said the minister.

A moment later, Constable Perkins came in, escorting the tramp, who was
evidently under the influence of strong potations, and had difficulty
in holding himself up.

"Where am I?" hiccoughed Ramsay.

"Where did you find him, Mr. Perkins?" asked Rev. Mr. Morris.

"Just outside of Farmer Dexter's barn. He was lying on the ground, with
a jug of whisky at his side."

"It was my jug," said Silas. "He must have taken it from the store. I
didn't miss it before. He must have took it away with him."

"There