“Because I prefer to take you.  Have you any objection to go!”

“Oh, no, of course not!” answered Conrad, not daring to make any further objection.

In the morning Mrs. Hill came to Mrs. Hamilton, and said: 

“Poor Conrad has a terrible toothache!  He is afraid he won’t be able to go with you to Simpson’s.  Will you kindly excuse him?”

Mrs. Hamilton expected some such excuse.

“I will take Ben, then,” she said.

“Are you going to keep that boy—­after what be has done?” asked the housekeeper.

“It is inconvenient for me to part with him just yet.”

“Then—­I hope you will excuse the suggestion—­I advise you to keep your bureau drawers locked.”

“I think it best myself,” said Mrs. Hamilton.  Is Conrad’s toothache very bad?”

“The poor fellow is in great pain.”

When Ben was invited by Mrs. Hamilton to go to the pawnbroker’s he made no objection.

“It is only fair to tell you, Ben,” said Mrs. Hamilton, that the person who pawned the opera glass gave your name.”

“Then,” said Ben, “I should like to know who it is.”

“I think I know,” said his patroness; “but when we redeem the glass we will ask for a description of him.”

An hour later they entered the pawnbroker’s shop.  Mrs. Hamilton presented the ticket and made herself known.

“Will you tell me,” she asked, “whether you have ever seen the young gentleman that accompanies me?”

“Not to my knowledge,” answered the attendant, after attentively regarding Ben.

“Can you remember the appearance of the boy who pawned the opera glass?”

“He was taller than this boy, and pale.  He was thinner also.  His hair was a light brown.”

A light dawned upon Ben, and his glance met that of Mrs. Hamilton, so that she read his suspicions.

“I think we both know who it was that took your name, Ben,” she said; “but for the present I wish you to keep it secret.”

“I will certainly do so, Mrs. Hamilton.”

“I am placed in difficult circumstances, and have not made up my mind what to do.”

“I hope you won’t allow yourself to be prejudiced against me by any false stories.”

“No, I can promise you that.  I have perfect confidence in you.”

“Thank you for that, Mrs. Hamilton,” said Ben gratefully.

“Yet I am about to take a course that will surprise you.”

“What is that?”

“I am going to let you leave me for a time, and put Conrad in your place.”

Ben looked bewildered, as well he might.  There was nothing that would have surprised him more.

“Then I am afraid you don’t find me satisfactory,” he said anxiously.

“Why not?”

“You discharge me from your service.”

“No” answered Mrs. Hamilton, smiling; “I have other work for you to do.  I mean to give you a confidential commission.”