find it somewhere. It couldn't get out of the house of itself, and Norah
is no thief. The idea is preposterous. Please have it attended to
carefully to-day. Good-by. I shall have to hurry down-town, and I can't
tell just what time I shall get back this evening. 'Phone me if you find
the coat anywhere. If you don't find it, I'll buy you another this
afternoon."

"I shall _not_ find the rain-coat," said his mother sternly, "but of
course I will look to satisfy you. I _know_ it is not in this house."

He beat a hasty retreat, for he did not care to be present at the finding
of the rain-coat.

"There is something strange about this," said Mrs. Dunham, as with ruffled
dignity she emerged from the hall closet, holding her lost rain-coat at
arm's length. "You don't suppose your brother could be playing some kind
of a joke on us, do you, Cornie? I never did understand jokes."

"Of course not," said practical Cornelia, with a sniff. "It's my opinion
that Norah knows all about the matter, and Tryon has been helping her out
with a few suggestions."

"Now, Cornelia, what do you mean by that? You surely don't suppose your
brother would try to deceive us--his mother and sister?"

"I didn't say that, Mother," answered Cornelia, with her head in the air.
"You've got your rain-coat back, but you'd better watch the rest of your
wardrobe. I don't intend to let Norah have free range in my room any
more."