she added, "they must be the pieces that match my set--they must have
the lion mark on the underside. However," she concluded with a sigh, "I
don't suppose you'll ever find them. The tramp must have broken them
many long years ago. I'll never see them again."

"Did you know the tramp's name?" asked Bert.

"Bless you, of course not!" laughed Miss Pompret. "Tramps hardly ever
tell their names, and when they do, they don't give the right one. No,
I'm sure I'll never see my beautiful dishes again. Sometimes I dream
that I shall, and I am disappointed when I awaken. But now I mustn't
keep you children any longer. I've told you my little mystery story, and
I hope you liked it."

"Yes, we did, very much," answered Nan "Only it's too bad!"

"You aren't sure the tramp took the dishes, are you?" asked Bert.

"No; and that is where the mystery comes in," said Miss Pompret.
"Perhaps he didn't, and, maybe, in some unexpected way, I'll find them
again. I hope I do, or that some one does, and I'll pay the hundred
dollars to whoever does."

"My, that's a lot of money!" murmured Bert again, when he and Nan were
once more on their way home, having said good-bye to Miss Pompret. "I
wish we could find those dishes."

"So do I," agreed Nan. "But don't call 'em dishes, Bert."

"What are they?" her brother wanted to know.