"How did that window come open, Abel?" he asked, as Abel Wood entered the store.

 

"I don't know, sir."

 

"It must have been you that opened it," said his employer, sternly.

 

"I didn't do it, Mr. Tripp, honest I didn't," declared Abel, earnestly.

 

"Then how did it come open, that's what I want to know?"

 

"I am sure I can't tell."

 

"Somebody might have come in during the night and robbed the store."

 

"So there might."

 

"It's very mysterious. Such things didn't happen when Chester was here."

 

Abel made no answer, but began to sweep out the store, his first morning duty.

 

When Silas spoke² of the store being robbed he had no idea that such a robbing had taken place, but he went to the money drawer and opened it to make sure all was safe.

 

Instantly there was a cry of dismay.

 

"Abel!" he exclaimed, "I've been robbed. There's a lot of money missing."

 

Abel stopped sweeping³ and turned pale.

 

"Is that so, Mr. Tripp?" he asked, faintly.

 

"Yes, there's—lemme see. There's been burglars here. Oh, this is terrible!"

 

"Who could have done it, Mr. Tripp?"

 

"I dunno, but the store was entered last night. I never shall feel safe again," groaned⁴ Silas.

 

"Didn't they leave no traces?"

 

"Ha! here's a handkerchief," said Mr. Tripp, taking the article from the top of a flour barrel, "and yes, by gracious, it's marked Chester Rand."

 

"You don't think he took the money?" ejaculated Abel, in open-eyed wonder.

 

"Of course it must have been him! He knew just where I kept the money, and he could find his way about in the dark, he knew the store so well."

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