"Thank you for your kindness, my son," she went on, eagerly. "You see,
a woman of my age, who has studied human nature for a long time, comes
to know the weaknesses of boys, even while believing in them to the
utmost. At times the temptation may be more than their powers of
resistance can stand, and they are irresistibly impelled to take
something that excites their cupidity. I am prone to believe most of
them find it possible to resist such an inclination. Still, alas! I
have known of occasions where the temptation carried the day. This
seems to be one of them. My heart is feeling very sore over it, too.
I thought at first to speak to Chief Wambold, but somehow I hesitated.
And then it happened precisely as before."

"Do you mean to say you have missed something on two separate
occasions, ma'am?" Hugh hastened to ask, beginning to realize now that
"where there was smoke there must be a fire," and that after all there
was something more in this affair than a mere specter brought into
being through an old lady's whim.

"Yes, it has occurred twice, and on each occasion that same boy chanced
to be in my house. Oh! it is too bad, too bad! And he such a quiet
and respectful young chap in the bargain."

"Please tell me more about it, for I can't possibly be of any
assistance to you, Mrs. Pangborn, unless I know the facts," Hugh
continued, his curiosity beginning to rise by jumps.

"The first time," the old lady went on to say, consulting what seemed
to be a diary which she picked up from her overloaded table, "was just
a week ago today. I had been busy as usual, for an additional number