The Chums of Scranton High | Page 6

or sixty years back--was answered by a colored woman,
who seemed to know the boy, for she smiled pleasantly.
"Yassir, de missus is in," she told him in answer to his question. "Jes'
yo' walk on back to de library, honey, an' dar you'll find her, sewin' like
she always does dese amazin' times. You knows de way, I reckons,
sah."
"I certainly do, Sarah," he assured her as he started along the wide hall.
When he knocked gently at the library door, he was told to enter, which
Hugh proceeded to do. A very wrinkled and old woman sat in a big
chair. The table was covered with material for all sorts of bandages,
and such things as are urgently needed wherever hideous war is raging.
Hugh noticed that at sight of him Madame Pangborn seemed pleased.
He wondered why, but was not long in learning.
"Oh! I am glad you've dropped in to see me, Hugh," she told him;
"because something very strange has happened, and perhaps you might
be able to advise me. In fact, Hugh, I fear I am being systematically
robbed!"
CHAPTER III

HUGH SHOULDERS A HEAVY TASK
Hugh hardly knew how to take that astonishing declaration on the part
of the old lady. He remembered that she was very peculiar in some
ways, and the very first thought that flashed into the boy's mind was to
the effect that Madame Pangborn might be getting what some fellows
would, impolitely of course, have called "daffy."
Still her black eyes flashed with all their old-time vigor, and she
appeared to be very much in earnest. More to humor her than anything
else Hugh remarked in a sympathetic voice:
"I'm sorry to hear that, ma'am. Of course if I can do anything for you
I'll be only too glad of the chance. Would you mind telling me about
it?"
"Thank you for your kindness, my son," she went on, eagerly. "You see,
a woman of my age, who has studied human nature for a long time,
comes to know the weaknesses of boys, even while believing in them
to the utmost. At times the temptation may be more than their powers
of resistance can stand, and they are irresistibly impelled to take
something that excites their cupidity. I am prone to believe most of
them find it possible to resist such an inclination. Still, alas! I have
known of occasions where the temptation carried the day. This seems
to be one of them. My heart is feeling very sore over it, too. I thought at
first to speak to Chief Wambold, but somehow I hesitated. And then it
happened precisely as before."
"Do you mean to say you have missed something on two separate
occasions, ma'am?" Hugh hastened to ask, beginning to realize now
that "where there was smoke there must be a fire," and that after all
there was something more in this affair than a mere specter brought
into being through an old lady's whim.
"Yes, it has occurred twice, and on each occasion that same boy
chanced to be in my house. Oh! it is too bad, too bad! And he such a
quiet and respectful young chap in the bargain."

"Please tell me more about it, for I can't possibly be of any assistance to
you, Mrs. Pangborn, unless I know the facts," Hugh continued, his
curiosity beginning to rise by jumps.
"The first time," the old lady went on to say, consulting what seemed to
be a diary which she picked up from her overloaded table, "was just a
week ago today. I had been busy as usual, for an additional number of
pieces came in from those kind ladies of Scranton who are helping me
sew for the brave wounded poilus of my country, valiant France. This
lad brought in a package which Mrs. Ackerman had given into his
charge. I remember I chatted with him quite a while, and was interested
in all he said so respectfully; for it happened I had heard a number of
peculiar things in the way of town gossip concerning him and his aged
grandfather."
She paused as if to recover her breath. Hugh, on his part, had started as
though he might have received a sudden shock. Possibly his thoughts
flew instantly toward one particular boy who happened to have an old
grandfather, and about whom there had always been more or less
mysterious comment in the town.
"After he had gone away, letting himself out at my request, so as to
save Sarah from coming up from the kitchen, I had occasion to pass
into the other room, which also opens into the front hall. Something
impelled me to idly count over some souvenir spoons that I have
personally collected from various parts of the