"Accept my congratulations, sir, accept my congratulations," said the constable, stepping ardently toward the boy and effusively extending his hand.
The ladies declined to accept the money which the detective offered, insisting that it belonged to him. He complied with their wishes, and, since it was evident that Archie had hastened over solely to make sure he was not forgotten in the general distribution of wages, the detective handed him one hundred dollars, which was received with delight, since it was far more than the constable had ever earned in such a short time in all his life before.
"Before I leave," said Mr. Carter, addressing the ladies, "I must impress one important truth upon you."
"You mean about the sin of stealing," said Aunt Annie; "Oh, we have thought a good deal about that."
The officer smiled in spite of himself, but quickly became serious again.
"You mistake me. I refer to your practice of keeping such valuable plate as loosely as you have been in the habit of doing for so many years. The fact of the robbery will cause it to be generally known that your silver can be had by any one who chooses to enter your house and take it, and you may rest assured, that if you leave it exposed it won't be long before it will vanish again, beyond the reach of all the Fred Sheldons and detectives in the United States."
"Your words are wise," said Aunt Annie, "and I have made up my mind that we must purchase two or three more locks and put them on the chest."
"I think I know a better plan than that," Aunt Lizzie hastened to say.
"What's that?" inquired the visitor.
"We'll get Michael to bring some real heavy stones to the house and place them on the lid of the chest, so as to hold it down."