so far as my own experience goes

"I hope, Mr. Rogers," said Mrs. Gilbert to the constable, "you don't believe my boy guilty of this base deed which the colonel charges upon him?" "I've always thought highly of Harry, ma'am," said the constable, "and I can't think now he'd take anything that wasn't his; but it is rather strange that them bonds should be found in this house now, ain't it?" "No, indeed. Is the Colonel the only man in town that owns bonds?" "I expect not; though, so far as my own experience goes, I know I ain't got any. I always thought--begging your pardon, Mrs. Gilbert--that you was poor, and now what am I to think?" "You needn't think I am rich; but Harry owns those bonds, and they are the reward of his own good conduct. Would you like to hear how he came by them?" "Yes, ma'am, if you don't mind telling me." "I don't mind telling you, though I didn't choose to tell the Colonel." Whereupon, Mrs. Gilbert related the story of the tin box secreted in the wood, and how, through Harry's prompt action, those who had purloined it had been brought to justice. "You've got a smart boy, Mrs. Gilbert," said the constable, admiringly. "I couldn't have done as well myself. There won't be any difficulty in clearing Harry now." "What would you advise, Mr. Rogers?" "Nothing at present; but if we find it necessary to-morrow, we can get that lawyer's testimony, which will certainly clear Harry of this charge." Chapter 39 How Congreve Succeeded Philip would not have felt flattered if he had been able to read the thoughts of his friend James Congreve, when the latter was riding away from the village where he had been boarding, toward the great city. "That's the last I shall ever see of the young snob, I hope," he said to himself. "I've got all I can out of him, and now I wash my hands of him. I wish him joy of waiting for me to-night. It'll be many a long day before he sees me or the balance of the bonds." James Congreve settled back in his seat, bought a paper from the paper boy on the train, and began to read in a very comfortable frame of mind. From time to time he put his hand on the inside pocket in which he had placed the bonds, to make sure of their safety, for no one knew better than he that there were dishonest persons to be met with who were willing to appropriate valuables belonging to others.