I don't mind telling you about it now" (as Ingred expressed her astonishment in her face), "I'd got myself into a jolly old mess, and you'll be able to clear me! It was this way; I slipped out from the office one afternoon for an hour, and went into the Abbey as you saw.

Well, when I got back, somebody had been into Dad's room during his absence, and a small sum of money was missing.

He taxed me with taking it!" "_You!_ But why you ?" exclaimed Ingred indignantly.
"Because I was the only person who had access to his private room.

I told Dad I had been out--which made him angrier still--but none of the clerks had happened to see me go or come back, and I had no other witness to prove my words.

As a matter of fact, I went out before Father, and came back after he had returned, but he wouldn't take my word for it.