``I am going to give you a few days' vacation,Frank,'' said Mr. Wharton, a fortnight later. ``Iam called to Washington on business. However, youhave got to feel at home here now.''

　　``Oh, yes, sir.''

　　``And Mrs. Bradley will see that you are comfortable.''

　　``I am sure of that, sir,'' said Frank, politely.

　　When Frank returned at night, Mr. Wharton wasalready gone. John Wade and the housekeeperseated themselves in the library after dinner, andby their invitation our hero joined them.

　　``By the way, Frank,'' said John Wade, ``did Iever show you this Russia leather pocketbook?''

　　producing one from his pocket.

　　``No, sir, I believe not.''

　　``I bought it at Vienna, which is noted for itsarticles of Russia leather.''

　　``It is very handsome, sir.''

　　``So I think. By the way, you may like to look atmy sleeve-buttons. They are of Venetian mosaic.

　　I got them myself in Venice last year.''

　　``They are very elegant. You must have enjoyedvisiting so many famous cities.''

　　``Yes; it is very interesting.''

　　John Wade took up the evening paper, and Frankoccupied himself with a book from his patron'slibrary. After a while John threw down the paperyawning, and said that he had an engagement. Nothingelse occurred that evening which merits record.

　　Two days later Frank returned home in his usualspirits. But at the table he was struck by a singularchange in the manner of Mrs. Bradley and JohnWade. They spoke to him only on what it wasabsolutely necessary, and answered his questions inmonosyllables.

　　``Will you step into the library a moment?'' saidJohn Wade, as they arose from the table.

　　Frank followed John into the library, and Mrs.

　　Bradley entered also.

　　``Frank Fowler,'' the enemy began, ``do youremember my showing you two evenings since a pocketbook,also some sleeve-buttons of Venetian mosaic,expensively mounted in gold?''

　　``Certainly, sir.''

　　``That pocketbook contained a considerable sumof money,'' pursued his questioner.

　　``I don't know anything about that.''

　　``You probably supposed so.''

　　``Will you tell me what you mean, Mr. Wade?''

　　demanded Frank, impatiently. ``I have answeredyour questions, but I can't understand why you askthem.''

　　``Perhaps you may suspect,'' said Wade, sarcastically.

　　``It looks as if you had lost them and suspectedme of taking them.''

　　``So it appears.''

　　``You are entirely mistaken, Mr. Wade. I am nota thief. I never stole anything in my life.''

　　``It is very easy to say that,'' sneered John Wade.

　　``You and Mrs. Bradley were the only persons presentwhen I showed the articles, and I suppose youwon't pretend that she stole them?''

　　``No, sir; though she appears to agree with youthat I am a thief. I never thought of accusing her,''

　　replied Frank.

　　``Mr. Wade,'' said............