"I think I know what Miss Stratford meant to say; she meant to tell you that I am not a pleasure seeker, but a worker. I am simply a conductor on the trolley line." "Bless my soul!" exclaimed the old gentleman, and though the light was too dim for him really to see, Balfour realized that Mr. Gamut had raised his glasses and had fixed his eyes upon him. "A conductor!" he exclaimed; "how extraordinary! do you really think it will lead to something? That's what a young man should always ask himself." "It will lead to my having more money at the end of the season than I had before," responded Balfour. "Yes, yes; but it's very unusual." Before Mr. Gamut could complete his sentence, a loud scream from the direction of the kitchen fell on the ears of the four. "I wish Angelina were not so excitable," said Mrs. Stratford. "It takes so little to make her scream; probably she has seen a mouse." When the scream rang out a second time, Balfour started to his feet and in another instant was racing to the gate in pursuit of a flying figure; an instant later, the others had reached Angelina. "It was a burglar," she cried. "He was opening the trunks in the ell room, and when I came through with the safety lamp in my hand I saw him plainly, and he started and ran, leaving his booty on the floor," she concluded dramatically. "But those were empty trunks," cried Martine, climbing the stairs. "Come and see," said Angelina, leading the way upstairs, where indeed the floor was strewn with clothing. Martine picked up a delicate muslin skirt. "This isn't mine, mamma," she said. "The man must have had a bundle with him that he dropped here; these things are not mine; it all seems very queer." "Yes," said Angelina, "especially as the burglar is an old acquaintance of mine." Thoughts of collusion crossed Mrs. Stratford's mind while Angelina continued: "It was years and years ago, and I'd know him anywhere; especially because I've seen his twin brother since, and he looks just like him, though this wasn't the twin. He's an honest man and he lives in Salem." "Let us get out into the fresh air again," said Mrs. Stratford. "I feel faint." "Angelina's story makes me feel fainter," added Martine. "I hope that interesting young conductor hasn't been hurt by the burglar; if he should catch him, I wonder if he'd know what to do with him." "We can only wait." Their time of waiting was not long. Balfour came back rather crestfallen. "He gave me a great run," said Balfour, "and I couldn't catch up with him. But I'm sure he won't trouble you again, and on my way home I'll telephone so that the authorities here and in Portsmouth can be on the lookout for him. Do you suppose he took anything of yours?" "I hardly think so," replied Martine, "he seems to have left something behind him." "Oh, he's nothing but a sneak thief," continued Angelina. "I know him." "A friend of yours?" asked Balfour in surprise.