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28 "There are so many burglaries taking place, I declare a body ain't safe any more. I told Mr. Mace I wouldn't go another day without some protection for night time."

And with this remark Mrs. Mace walked through the hallway and down the back stairs.

"I wish I had told her about the jewel casket," thought Franklin after she was gone. "Perhaps it's all right, but it doesn't look so to me."

He finished laying out the wire, and then went below and waited for Silas Fells to return. But as the old man did not do so, Franklin finally set off for the shop to see what was the matter.

As he did so he met Mr. Mace, accompanied by a stranger.

He nodded to the two men, and was about to pass on when a cry from the upper window of the mansion caused him to come to a dead stop.

"Stop the thief! Stop the thief!"

It was Mrs. Mace's shrill voice, and it startled all three of those at the gate.

"What's that, Jane?" demanded Mr. Mace.

"Stop that boy, John!"

"What has he done?"

"Robbed the house!" replied Mrs. Mace. "Hold him! Don't let him escape!"

"I have robbed nobody," cried Franklin "I never stole a thing in my life."

"He did! He did!" insisted Mrs. Mace. "Hold him till I come down, John!"