MRS. BEMIS, tittering: 'Oh, I'm sure _I_ can't tell.'

WILLIS: 'Aunt Mary, you used to be a friend of mine. Can't you
give me some sort of clue?'

MRS. CRASHAW: 'I should be ashamed of you, Willis, if you accepted
anybody's help.'

WILLIS, sighing: 'Well, this is pretty hard on an orphan. Here I
come to join a company of friends at the fireside of a burgled
brother-in-law, and I find myself in a nest of conspirators.'
Suddenly, after a moment: 'Oh, I understand. Why, I ought to have
seen at once. But no matter--it's just as well. I'm sure that we
shall hear Dr. Lawton leniently, and make allowance for his well-
known foible. Roberts is bound by the laws of hospitality, and Mr.
Bemis is the father-in-law of his daughter.'

MRS. BEMIS, in serious dismay: 'Why, Mr. Campbell, what do you
mean?'

WILLIS: 'Simply that the mystery is solved--the double garotter is
discovered. I'm sorry for you, Mrs. Bemis; and no one will wish to
deal harshly with your father when he confesses that it was he who
robbed Mr. Roberts and Mr. Bemis. All that they ask is to have
their watches back. Go on, Doctor! How will that do, Aunt Mary,
for a little flyer?'

MRS. CRASHAW: 'Willis, I declare I never saw anybody like you!'
She embraces him with joyous pride.