Mrs. Rand’s face lighted up with a sudden conviction.
“I think I can explain it,” she said, quietly.
“Oh, you can, can you? Maybe you can tell who took the money.”
“I think I can.”
All eyes were turned upon her in eager expectation.
“A tramp called at our house last evening,” she said, “at about half-past nine, and I gave him a meal, as he professed to be hungry and penniless. It was some minutes after ten when he left the house. He must have picked up Chester’s handkerchief, and left it in your store after robbing the money drawer.”
“That’s all very fine,” said Silas, incredulously, “but I don’t know as there was any tramp. Nobody saw him but you.”
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Tripp,” said the minister, “but I saw him about half-past ten walking in the direction of your store. I was returning from visiting a sick parishioner when I met a man roughly dressed and of middle height, walking up the street. He was smoking a pipe.”
“He lighted it before leaving our house,” said Mrs. Rand.
“How did he know about my store?” demanded Silas, incredulously.