"It may have proved too strong a temptation to some one of the servants." "Or someone else," suggested Mrs.Hill significantly.
"That means Ben," thought Mrs.Hamilton, but she did not say so.
"I would ferret out the matter if I were you," continued Mrs.Hill.
"I intend to," answered Mrs.Hamilton quietly.

"I valued the glass far beyond its cost, and I will leave no means untried to recover it." "You are quite right, too." When Conrad was told that the opera glass had been lost, he said: "Probably Ben stole it." "So I think," assented his mother.

"But it will be found out.

Cousin Hamilton has put the matter into the hands of a detective." For the moment, Conrad felt disturbed.

But he quickly recovered himself.
"Pshaw! they can't trace it to me," he thought.