The sabbath morning dawned cool, breezy and delightful, and the maiden twin sisters, Misses Annie and Lizzie Perkinpine, made their preparations for driving to the village church, just as they had been in the habit of doing for many years.  
It required a storm of unusual violence to keep them from the Sunday service, which was more edifying to the good souls than any worldly entertainment could have been.
 
They were not among those whose health permits them to attend secular amusements, but who invariably feel "indisposed" when their spiritual duties are involved.
 
"I was afraid, sister," said Annie, "that when our silver was stolen, the loss would weigh so heavily upon me that I would not be able to enjoy the church service as much as usual, but I am thankful that it made no difference with me; how was it with you?"
 
"I could not help feeling disturbed for some days," was the reply, "for it was a loss indeed, but, when we have so much to be grateful for, how wrong it is to repine——"
 
"What's that?" interrupted the other, hastening to[Pg 242] the window as she heard the rattle of carriage wheels; "some one is coming here as sure as I live."
 
"The folks must have forgot that it is the Sabbath," was the grieved remark of the other.
 
"But this is something out of the common. Heigho!"
 
This exclamation was caused by the sight of Cyrus Sutton, as he leaped lightly out of the wagon and tied his horse, while Fred Sheldon seemed to be tugging at something on the floor of the vehicle, which resisted his efforts.
 
Mr. Sutton, having fastened the horse, went to the help of the youngster, and the next moment the two approached the house bearing a considerable burden.
 
"My gracious!" exclaimed Aunt Lizzie, throwing up her hands, and ready to sink to the floor in her astonishment; "they have got our silverware."
 
"You are right," added her sister, "they have the whole six pieces, slop-jar, sugar bowl, cream pitcher—not one of the six missing. They have them all; now we can go to church and enjoy the sermon more than ever."
 
The massive service of solid silver quaintly fashioned and carved by the puffy craftsmen of Amsterdam, who wrought and toiled when sturdy old Von Tromp was pounding the British tars off Goodwin Sands, more than two centuries ago, was carried into the house with considerable effort and set on the dining-room table, while for a minute or two the owners could do nothing but clasp and unclasp their hands and utter exclamations of wonder and thankfulness that the invaluable heirlooms had at last come back to them.
 
[Pg 243]
 
The detective and lad looked smilingly at the ladies, hardly less pleased than they.
 
"Where did you find them?" asked Aunt Lizzie, addressing herself directly to Mr. Carter, as was natural for her to do.
 
The detective pointed to the boy and said:
 
"Ask him."
 
"Why, what can Fred know about it?" inquired the lady, beaming kindly upon the blushing lad.
 
"He knows everything, for it was not I, but he, who found them."
 
"Why, Fred, how can that be?"
 
"I found them in an old tree in the woods," replied the little fellow, blushing to his ears. "This gentleman helped me to bring them here, for I never could have lugged them alone."
 
"Of course you couldn't, but since you have earned the reward, you shall have it. To-day is the holy Sabbath, and it would be wrong, therefore, to engage in any business, but come around early to-morrow morning and we will be ready."
 
"And I want to say," said Aunt Annie, pinching the chubby cheek of the happy youngster, "that there isn't any one in the whole world that we would rather give the reward to than you."
 
"And there is none that it will please me more to see receive it," was the cordial remark of Mr. Carter, who, respecting the scruples of the good ladies, was about to bid them good-morning, when Aunt Lizzie, walking to the window, said:
 
[Pg 244]
 
"I wonder what is keeping Michael."
 
"I am afraid he will not be here to-day," said the officer.
 
"Why not?" asked the sisters together in astonishment.
 
"Well, to tell you the truth, he is in trouble."
 
"Why, what has Michael done."
 
"Nothing himself, but do you remember the tramp who came here last Monday night, and, after eating at your table, stole, or rather helped to steal, your silver service?"
 
"Of course we remember him."
 
"Well, that tramp was Michael's son Bud, who had put on false whiskers and disguised himself so that you never suspected who he was. Bud is a bad boy and is now in jail."
 
"What is the world coming to?" gasped Aunt Lizzie, sinking into a chair with clasped hands, while her sister was no less shocked. In their kindness of heart they would have been glad to lose a large part of the precious silverware could it have been the means of restoring the boy to honesty and innocence.
 
But that was impossible, and the sisters could only grieve over the depravity of one whom they had trusted.
 
They asked nothing about the money that was taken with the silver, but Mr. Carter handed more than one-half of the sum to them.
 
"Bud had spent considerable, but he gave me this; Kincade declared that he hadn't a penny left, but I don't believe him; this will considerably decrease your loss."
 
[Pg 245]
 
At this moment, there was a resounding knock on the door, and in response to the summons to enter, Archie Jackson appeared, very red in the face and puffing hard.
 
Bowing hastily to the ladies, he said impatiently to the officer:
 
"It seems to me you're deef."
 
"Why so?"
 
"I've been chasing and yelling after you for half a mile, but you either pretended you didn't hear me or maybe you didn't."
 
"I assure you, Archie, that I would have stopped on the first call, if I had heard you, for you know how glad I am always to have your company, and how little we could have done without your help."
 
The detective knew how to mollify the fussy constable, whose face flushed a still brighter red, under the compliments of his employer, as he may be termed.
 
"I knowed you was coming here," explained Archie, "and so I come along, so as to vouch to these ladies for you."
 
"You are very kind, but they seem to be satisfied with Master Fred's indorsement, for he has the reputation of being a truthful lad."
 
"I'm glad to hear it; how far, may I ask," he continued, clearing his throat, "have you progressed in the settlement of the various questions and complications arising from the nefarious transaction on Monday evening last?"
 
"The plate has been returned to the ladies, as your eyes must have told you; but, since this i............