money—the young rascal!"
"But how could he do it if the money was took last night? It was two or three days ago he paid you the five-dollar bill."
This was a poser, but Mr. Tripp was equal to the emergency.
"He must have robbed me before," he said.
"You haven't missed money before, have you?"
"Not to my knowledge, but he must have took it. Abel, I want you to go right over to the Widow Rand's and tell Chester I want to see him. I dunno but I'd better send the constable after him."
"Shall I carry him his handkerchief?"
"No, and don't tell him it's been found. I don't want to put him on his guard."
Abel put his broom behind the door and betook himself to the house of Mrs. Rand.
The widow herself opened the door.
"Is Chester at home?" asked Abel.
"Yes, he's eating his breakfast. Do you want to see him?"
"Well, Mr. Tripp wants to see him."
"Possibly he wants Chester to give him a little extra help," she thought.
"Won't you come in and take 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 licking. 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
