“Yes, my dear,” said Miss Pompret.  “Of course if they were just two ordinary dishes, such as these,” and she pointed to some on a side table, “they would not be worth a hundred dollars.  But I need just those two pieces—­the pitcher and sugar bowl—­to make my rare set of china complete again.  So if you children should happen to come across them, bring them to me and I’ll pay you a hundred dollars.  But, of course,” she added, “they must be the pieces that match my set—­they must have the lion mark on the underside.  However,” she concluded with a sigh, “I don’t suppose you’ll ever find them.  The tramp must have broken them many long years ago.  I’ll never see them again.”

“Did you know the tramp’s name?” asked Bert.

“Bless you, of course not!” laughed Miss Pompret.  “Tramps hardly ever tell their names, and when they do, they don’t give the right one.  No, I’m sure I’ll never see my beautiful dishes again.  Sometimes I dream that I shall, and I am disappointed when I awaken.  But now I mustn’t keep you children any longer.  I’ve told you my little mystery story, and I hope you liked it.”

“Yes, we did, very much,” answered Nan “Only it’s too bad!”

“You aren’t sure the tramp took the dishes, are you?” asked Bert.

“No; and that is where the mystery comes in,” said Miss Pompret.  “Perhaps he didn’t, and, maybe, in some unexpected way, I’ll find them again.  I hope I do, or that some one does, and I’ll pay the hundred dollars to whoever does.”

“My, that’s a lot of money!” murmured Bert again, when he and Nan were once more on their way home, having said good-bye to Miss Pompret.  “I wish we could find those dishes.”

“So do I,” agreed Nan.  “But don’t call ’em dishes, Bert.”

“What are they?” her brother wanted to know.

“Why, they’re rare china.  When I grow up I’m going to have a set just like Miss Pompret’s.”

“With the dog on the bottom?”

“Tisn’t a dog, it’s a lion!” exclaimed Nan.

“Well, it looks like our dog Snap,” declared Bert.

They ran on home to find their mother out at the gate looking up and down the street for them.

“Are you children just getting home from school?” asked Mrs. Bobbsey.  “Were you kept in for doing something wrong?”

“Oh, no’m!” exclaimed Nan.  “We went to see Miss Pompret.”

“And she’s going to give us a hundred dollars if we find two of her dishes!” exclaimed Bert.

“My!  What’s all this?” asked his mother, laughing.

“’Tisn’t dishes!  It’s rare china,” said Nan, and then, between them, she and Bert told the story of the little favor they had done for Miss Pompret, and how she had invited them in, given them cake and milk, and told them the mystery story.

“Well, you had quite a visit,” said Mrs. Bobbsey.  “Miss Pompret is a dear lady, rather queer, perhaps, but very kind and a good neighbor.  I am glad you did her a favor.  I have heard, before, about her china, and knew she had some other rare and old-fashioned things in her house.  I have been there once or twice.  Now I want you to go to the store for me.  Sam is away and Dinah needs some things for supper.”