“That’s so, I forgot. Well, give me the first book. I can keep two places at once.” Tom passed it over, and the old gentleman now had two books open before him. “Have you got page twenty-one?” he asked Tom, as he bent close over the opened books. “Yes, sir.” “Is there anything on it about the ancient Hickhites having used belladonna in fevers?” “No,” answered Tom slowly, as he read down the page. “This seems to be an account of how to make a fruit cake.” “A fruit cake! What do you mean?” “This is a cook book, sir,” replied Tom. “A cook book! Goodness me! I must have picked up the wrong memoranda when I hurried from the house.” He rapidly searched through his pockets, and produced a crumpled piece of paper. “That’s what I did,” he announced. “I picked up a memoranda made out by my sister-in-law. It’s about buying a new cook book she saw advertised. My memoranda was on the use of belladonna among the ancient Hickhites. I differed from a certain historian, and I wanted to look it up. I have taken her memoranda, and left mine. Well, well, I must be losing my memory. I’m sorry I bothered you.” “It was no bother at all,” said Tom politely. “I’m glad of it. I hate to bother any one. Now let me see. There was another book I wanted to get. What was it about? I thought I would remember it. I know I had it on my mind when I was looking at the first volume of the new edition of Motley’s Dutch Republic--um--er--well, I can’t think. I’ll have to go back home and get my list.” He took the cook book from Tom, and placing it, with the two other volumes, under his arm, started to walk out of the store. At once there flashed through Tom’s mind the idea that this was a slick swindler, who had adopted this method of stealing books. “Wait a minute!” he called. “Shan’t I wrap those books up for you?” He thought this would be a polite way of calling the attention of Mr. Townsend or some clerk to the actions of the queer customer. “What books?” asked the old gentleman innocently. “Those under your arm.” “Have I some books under my arm? Why, goodness gracious, so I have! I’m glad you called my attention to them, young man, or I might have walked off with them. My, my! but I am getting to have a poor memory! To think of carrying off books without paying for them!” “It’s a good thing I caught him in time, or Mr. Townsend might have blamed me,” thought Tom. Just then Mr. Townsend came to the rear of the store. He caught sight of the old gentleman. “Why, Dr. Spidderkins! How do you do?” he exclaimed. “I am real glad to see you? What can I show you to-day? I didn’t know you were here, or I would have attended to you personally.” “I guess I made a mistake,” said Tom to himself. CHAPTER II TOM IS SUSPICIOUS