The Tin Box, and What it Contained

"Whoever charges me with that utters a falsehood," said Harry, boldly. "I passed your house, but I did not enter it, and did not even look inthe window, and it is news to me that the door was unlocked, or the keyson the desk. In fact, I didn't know you had a trunk in which you keptyour bonds."

"Of course you deny it," said Colonel Ross, "but I think it entirelylikely that the stolen bonds are at this very moment hidden beneath thisroof."

CHAPTER XXXVII

SEARCHING THE COTTAGE

"Colonel Ross, your suspicions are very insulting and entirelyunwarranted," said the Widow Gilbert, with a flush on her usually palecheek.

"Of course I knew you would not believe anything against your son, whomyou believe to be a model," said Colonel Ross, with a sneer.

"So he is – a model!" said the widow, warmly.

"Then all I can say is that there is a strong reason to suspect thatthis model son of yours is a thief."

"I deny it."

"I notice, however, that you are afraid to have the house searched."

"I have never expressed any unwillingness."

"Then I understand that you give your consent."

"I do."

"Very well. Then allow me to call in a party not interested, who willattend to that duty."

Colonel Ross went to the outer door, and, opening it, called:

"Constable, you are wanted!"

At this summons a tall, stout man – Mr. Rogers, the villageconstable – came forward, as it seemed, rather reluctantly.

"Constable," said Colonel Ross, "Mrs. Gilbert has given her consent tohave the house searched for the bonds which were abstracted from mytrunk last evening."

"Mr. Rogers," said Mrs. Gilbert, who knew the constable well, "ColonelRoss has made a cruel and unwarranted charge against Harry. I hope youdon't believe he is a thief."

"I don't," said the constable, bluntly. "I've known your boy ever sincehe was a baby, and I never knew him to do a mean thing."

"Constable," said Colonel Ross, angrily, "it does not become you toscreen the guilty or make excuses for him."

"It strikes me you're rather too fast, Colonel Ross, in making him outguilty. What proof have you of it?"

"My son's word."

"Oh!" said the constable, expressively.

"You have only to do your duty and search the house, and I venture topredict that the evidence will be forthcoming that will convince evenyou."

"Mrs. Gilbert," said the constable, "I hope you'll excuse me for obeyingthe Colonel. I have to do it, you know."

"Do your duty, Mr. Rogers. We are not afraid to have the house searchedfrom top to bottom."

"I don't want to disturb your things, Mrs. Gilbert. Suppose you go roundand open everything to us."

"If that will be satisfactory to Colonel Ross. I want him satisfied."

"As long as I am present, with a right to examine, I shall not object."

"It seems to me, Colonel Ross," remarked Uncle Obed, "you are nottreating the boy right."

"It is immaterial to me what you think, Mr. Wilkins," replied the

Colonel, with asperity.

"Mebbe so," said the old man. "I calculate it won't always be so. Thetime may come when you will care more for my opinion."

"You flatter yourself unduly, Mr. Wilkins, I assure you."

"Mebbe so," answered the old man, not appearing at all discomposed bythe rude tone of his niece's husband.

"We will begin here, gentlemen," said Mrs. Gilbert.

So saying, she went about from place to place down below, openingwhatever drawers there were, even in the pantry, and revealing nothingthat looked like the bonds.

"I didn't expect they were downstairs," said the Colonel.

"Then we will go upstairs. You shall not say that we have concealedanything or shrunk from any investigation."

"Very well."

Mrs. Gilbert thereupon led the way upstairs, and the search began. Finally, they came to her own bureau. The upper drawer was opened, andthe sharp eyes of the Colonel detected a large envelope. It was the onethat contained the bonds which had been presented to Harry for hisservice in ferreting out the burglars in the wood.

Singular as it may seem, neither Harry nor his mother had thought ofthem, and the false inference that might be drawn from their discovery. It was natural, therefore, that each should look startled anddiscomposed.

"Ha! what have we here?" demanded Colonel Ross, clutching the envelope.

"Those are my property," said Harry, who was the first to recover hisself-possession.

"I will take the liberty to examine. Ha! government bonds, as I live.

Constable, what do you say now?" demanded the Colonel, triumphantly.

The constable, who knew nothing of Harry's gift, looked veryuncomfortable indeed. Despite his belief in Harry's honesty, he wasstaggered by this apparent evidence to the contrary.

"What is this, Mrs. Gilbert?" he asked.

"They are bonds belonging to Harry. He speaks the truth."