The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-07
you see. has the inconsiderstion to be

you see, mas the inconsideratton 70 DC out"
 ''weu.. we can overcome that aim cuity easily enough" was the young mans cheerful response. You see. I know the man who keeps the cigar store here very well, and can get through his shop into the locksmith's. Just wait a minute"
 Agatha waited and soon the young man reappeared. dangling bunch of skeleton keys in his hand.
 These will open most anything. reckon" he said. smiling ,at Agatha. Now. if you'll kindly let me accomp- and you to where you live. I'll have the >door open in jiffy."
 He was as good as his word. and Agatha, actually inside her own home once more.-was profuse in her expres- sions of gratitude.
 T don't know how to thank you. Mir. -" she stopped short. and then added. naiveiy, T don't know your name, either"
 Black" the young man prompted. 'Just plain Black"
 Tt was an awful white thing for you to do, anyway" Agatha replied, her eyes twinkling. And I am under deep obligations to you. Mir. Black"
 Not at all." answered the alleged MT. Black. lifting his hat as he left.
 The dinner went off with remarkable smoothness. and Agatha had no inten- tion of discounting the compliments she received by letting her father know of her carelesness: but suddenly she put her hand to>her belt and ex- claimed. My watch-Tve lost it."
 Then she remembered when she had last looked at the time. and in flash 1t come over her that her watch had been stolen from her by the solicitous 'Mr. Black" She was forced to make a full confession.
 'What sort of looking chap was her inquired her father.
 Not at all bad looking" answered Agatha. almost defantly. Really, rather handsome. You don't suppose I'd let any horrid looking old thing come to my assistance. do you?'
 Her father laughed in spite of him. self.
 But he was a friend of the man that keeps the cigar store, you say. and had no trouble in getting a bunch of skeleton keys?'
 Agatha admitted both points reluc- tantly.
 Hum. bad lot" commented her father. Probably had the keys in his pocket all the time. Come on, Bain- bridge" he added, addressing his guest. you and I have got to get busy mighty quick. Suppose we visit that cigar store first"
 Agatha. left alone, sat for a while tapping the toe of her smart little over the details of her afternoon ad- venture. Then she picked up a book and was endeavoring to make herself follow the thread of the story when the bell rang. She jumped up and ran to answer 1t, expecting her father and Mfr. Bainbridge back again,
 When she opened the door she gave a little scream of fright and tainted. MT. Black" caught her in his arms and then. realizing the seriousness of the situation, hurriedly laid her on a couch and ran into the dining room for a glass of water.
 As soon as Agatha revived sufisient- 7 ly she screamed '"Theif!" at the top of her voice.
 As if in providential answer to her cry, a key clicked in the lock of the outside door and Agatha. hearing her fathers step, ran to meet him, still calling Thief, thief" breathlessly.
 Her father grabbed the young man by the throat and yelled at him hoarsely. "So 1t wasn't enough to steal my daughters watch. You had to some back, while she was alone. you scoundrel. and try to rob my house. Search his pockets. Agatha"
 Agatha hes.tated. W F5s
 Search his pockets. girl" MT. And erson repeated. This time Agatha obeyed. She had never seen her father in such a towering rage.
 "oh.'' she cried suddenly. "Oh. he did steal 1t! Here 1t is." and she drew the little Jeweled time-piece from one of the mans pockets.
 The young man made a frantic ef- fort to speak and MT. Anderson releas- ed his grip on his throat slightly.
 Well. what have you to say for yourself?" he demanded hershly.
 I'm not a thief" MT. Black said huskily. T wish to explain how l must have dropped 1t this afternoon outside the locksmith's. The young man in the cigar store found 1t on the side- walk, and when I went back with the keys, he gave 1t to me and asked me to find out if 1t belong to this young lady"
 "A pretty story" commented Aga tha's father with a sheer. Agatha. ring up the police. Wait a minute" he added. as the door-bell rang. That's Bainbridge. Run and let him in."
 "Uncle!" exclaimed the prisoner. as MT. Bainbridge crossed the library threshold.
 Why. Roger" returned the latter. what does this mean?"
 Agatha laughed historically. Then you aren't MT. Black. after all, and your story Is true," she cried.
 The young man shook himself as if to get free from the horrible effects of the last few minutes.
 "No," he answered, with a feeble at. tempt to smile, I'm my uncle's name sake. Roger Bainbridge. second, with your compliments"
 And to think" groaned Bainbridge, senior. that I've been out setting the police on the track of my own nephew!.
 That isn't half so bad as choking him." was MT. Anderson's rueful com ment
 Some months after this dramatic lit- tie incident Agatha discovered that she had been robbed again. This time she felt sure young Mir. Bainbridge was guilty, but she shrank from facing him with the accusation. She was saved that ordeal. however, by the sudden full confession of the criminal himself.
 Agatha he announced very serious ly one evening after dinner with her. What would you say if I told you I have really been trying to steal some thing from your"
 Agatha started. Why" she answer ed, "Pd rather give you anything of mine than have you steal it."
 Are you sure. Agatha?" asked Roger. I( AlrN at AAw Now. -l.u