“Yet, Mrs. Mercer says she found it in your drawer.” “What was she doing there?” asked Paul. “Tracking a thief!” answered Mrs. Mercer, spitefully. “She charges you with stealing the breast pin from my room, Paul.” “Yes, I do; how did it get into your drawer unless you stole it? Answer me that, Mr. Paul Parton.” “I suppose you put it there,” returned Paul, calmly. Mrs. Mercer held up both hands in indignant protest. “Did you ever hear the likes, ma’am?” she ejaculated. “He’s a thief, and unfit to stay in your house.” “Excuse me, Mrs. Mercer,” said Paul, quite coolly, “but didn’t you arrange this little plot against me last evening in conversation with your son?” “What do you mean?” ejaculated the housekeeper. “I happened to be in my room, and overheard you.” “Do you believe this impudent lie, Mrs. Granville?” the housekeeper asked, desperately. “I have reason to believe Paul,” answered the old lady, “for this breast pin, which you say you found in Paul’s room during my absence, I distinctly remember leaving in my own bureau drawer when I left the house this afternoon.” Mrs. Mercer was panic stricken. She turned to leave the room, quite overwhelmed, but Mrs. Granville called her back. “Stay, Mrs. Mercer,” she said, “I have something to say to you.” CHAPTER XXXV. PAUL RETURNS TO NEW YORK. The housekeeper turned at the bidding of her mistress, and gazed at her in apprehension, waiting for her to speak. “I wish to speak to you about another matter, Mrs. Mercer. I have made a discovery which reflects seriously upon you.” “What is it?” asked the housekeeper, nervously. “Why, it is that for a long time--I don’t know how long--I have been paying Mr. Talbot higher prices for groceries and other articles than he charges any one else.” “I didn’t know it,” answered Mrs. Mercer. “Do you mean to say that he imposed upon you?” “That’s just what I do say,” answered the housekeeper, gaining boldness. “I’ll give him a piece of my mind.” Mrs. Granville eyed her gravely. “It is too late to impose upon me, Mrs. Mercer,” she said. “I know why he charged me extra prices.” “He wanted to make money out of you, I suppose.” “He or some one else. It is useless to misrepresent. I know that this extra sum went into your pocket. Wait,” seeing the housekeeper about to speak. “I learned his usual prices, and with Paul’s help I went over the bills for the last three months, and have discovered how much I have been swindled.” “It’s _his_ doings, I’ve no doubt,” said Mrs. Mercer, bitterly, referring to Paul. “You are mistaken; though if it were true it would not help you any. I myself discovered the overcharge, and simply employed Paul to look over the bills with me.” “Talbot lied!” said the housekeeper, desperately. She could not have expected this denial would benefit her, but she was reluctant to confess her guilt. “I believe he tells the truth,” returned her mistress. “What have you to say?”