s were roving around the room, and his interest in the
chair seemed somewhat perfunctory. "The other piece of furniture was a
sort of escritoire, set on a square pedestal that had a carved base of
lions' feet." His voice had grown eager now, although he strove to
render it calm, and there was a ring of anxiety in his words.

Mary Louise felt relieved as she said assuringly:

"That, at least, I can promise you will be returned. My friend, Josie
O'Gorman, bought it and had it sent to our house, where she is
visiting. As soon as some of the girls come here to relieve me, I'll
take you home with me and have Uncle Eben carry the desk to your house
in our motor car. It isn't so very big, and Uncle Eben can manage it
easily."

The tense look on the man's face relaxed. It evident that Professor
Dyer was greatly relieved.

"Thank you," he said; "I'd like to get it back as soon as possible."

But when, half an hour later, they arrived at the Hathaway residence,
and met Josie just preparing to go out, the latter said with a
bewildered look in her blue eyes: "The old desk? Why, I sent that home
to Washington days ago!"

"You did?" Mary Louise was quite surprised. "Why, you said nothing to
me about that, Josie."

"I didn't mention it because I'd no idea you were interested. Daddy
loves old things, and I sent it home so he would have it on his return.
By freight. You are away at the Shop all day, you know, so I asked
Uncle Eben to get me a big box, which he brought to my room. The desk
fitted it nicely. I nailed on the cover myself, and Uncle Eben took it
to the freight office for me. See; here's the receipt, in my
pocket-book."

She unfolded a paper and held it out to Professor Dyer, who read it
with a queer look on his face. It was, indeed, a freight receipt for
"one piece of furniture, boxed," to be shipped to John O'Gorman,
Washington, D. C, The sender was described as "Miss J. O'Gorman,
Dorfield." There was no questioning Josie's veracity, but she called
the black servant to substantiate her story.

"Yes, Miss Josie," said Uncle Eben, "I done took de box to de freight
office an' got de receipt, lak yo' tol' me. Tuesday, it were; las'
Tuesday."

Professor Dyer was thoughtful.

"You say your father is away from home at present?" he asked.

"Yes; he's abroad."

"Do you suppose the freight office in Washington would deliver the box
to me, on your order?"

"I'm afraid not," said Josie, "It's consigned to John O'Gor