“It strikes me they put a great deal on Marjorie....” “Tut! Marjorie’s shoulders are young and broad. It would be better if the younger generation carried more responsibilities; too much is done for them by their elders. In my day”--dropping her knitting in her lap as she warmed to her subject--“the development of character went hand-in-hand with education; now, education is founded on indulgence. The modern child must be amused, spoiled, its fits of temper condoned....” “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” quoted Tom, in open amusement. “A sound doctrine,” affirmed Madame Yvonett with spirit. “And if the American nation is to endure, character in the child must be cultivated.” “There’s a lot in what you say,” agreed Tom. “I came in this morning hoping to see you alone;” he rose and sat down close by her. “I am anxious to consult you about an incident that occurred yesterday afternoon in my quarters,” and in a few words he described the disappearance of the coin. Madame Yvonett listened with absorbed attention to the story, and at its conclusion, sat back and gazed unbelievingly at Tom, her busy needles idly suspended in air. “Does thee mean to say thee can find no trace of the coin?” she asked incredulously. “It has disappeared absolutely.” “Is thee certain that thy servant was not in the house at the time the lamp exploded?” “Positive. Mrs. Sims, wife of the Commandant, told me he was assisting the other servants in the Administration Building from the commencement of the tea-dance until its close.” “Then thee infers that one of thy guests stole the coin?” “What other conclusion can I reach?” hopelessly. “And yet it’s a devilish thought.” “Has thee suspicions against anyone in particular?” Madame Yvonett paled as she put the question, but she sat with her back to the light and Tom did not perceive her agitation. “Yes, I have,” reluctantly. “Joe Calhoun-Cooper.” “Cooper? Ah, yes, I recollect; thee means John C. Cooper’s grandson. What leads thee to suspect him?” “I know he’s hard up; he’s been trying to borrow money, his father having shut down on his allowance;” Tom paused thoughtfully, then continued. “Joe was with me when I learned the coin’s value. He first spoke of it yesterday--I never should have mentioned the matter--and suggested I show the coin to my guests, evidently depending on chance to give him an opportunity to steal it.” “It dove-tails nicely,” acknowledged Madame Yvonett. “In fact, too nicely; beware, Thomas, be not hasty in thy judgment.” “I’m not,” doggedly. “Joe’s always been tricky, even as a schoolboy.” “Then how does it happen that thee associates with him now?” “Well--eh--his family have been very decent to me, and I’ve gone there a good bit.” Madame Yvonett’s shrewd eyes twinkled. “While accepting their hospitality I couldn’t refuse to know Joe. Although I’ve never liked him, I knew no real ground for dropping him, until now,” and Tom’s pleasant face hardened.