The $500 Check — page 194: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MIDNIGHT VISIT TO THE PANTRY. 177 necessary to come up. Had he done so it would have been embarrassing, for Phineas was sound asleep on the bed. Bert thought it best to rouse him before he went down- stairs. ‘¢ Are you not afraid some one will come up- stairs and find you here?’’ he asked. ‘“No; mother never comes up till after she has got breakfast out of the way and the dishes washed.”’ ‘‘T suppose you know best,’ said Bert doubtfully. ‘Tf necessary I shall tell her who I am.’’ Bert went below, and sat down at the break- fast table. It was clear from the expression on Mrs. Wilson’s face that she had something on her mind. ‘‘ Silas,’ she said solemnly, ‘*‘something mysterious has happened during the night.’’ “What is it?’’ asked the farmer in a tone of surprise. ‘“We have been robbed ! ”’ ‘What of ?’’ he asked, turning pale. ‘‘ Do you miss any of the spoons ?”’ 66 No.,”’ (E(@) nfl (E JOO