One, two, three, four, five, six, sounded a deep-throated bell upon the evening air, and then a chime of bells played Luther’s Chant.

“O, dear!” groaned Johnny; “that’s the wonderful clock; I wish we had let it alone.”

“Hark!” exclaimed Eric.

His quick ear had caught the sound of footsteps upon the stairway leading to their room, and he fancied them to be his uncle’s. He was right. The door opened presently, and Mr. Van Rasseulger was with them.

“Well, what is all this nonsense?” he exclaimed, grasping Eric’s hand, and drawing Johnny into his lap. “A good-natured guardian lets you off for a good time, and you get into trouble the first thing.”

Eric related all that had occurred, a little embarrassed at Johnny’s admiring remark,

“You ought to have seen him spin that little dancing Frenchman against the wall, papa. I wish I’d been big enough! I’d have thrashed him!”

“Hush, Johnny,” said his father. “Go on, Eric. You say he found the money in the fauteuil. How in the world did the things get into this room?”

“That is just what puzzles everybody,” answered Eric, earnestly. “Uncle John, how could it have got there? and the ring, too?”

“Where did you find the ring, Johnny?”

“Right here, sir, upon the floor, by Froll’s cage;” answered Johnny, getting up and standing in the place.

“It is very mysterious, certainly,” Mr. Van Rasseulger said, “and the strange circumstances give the man strong grounds for suspicion against you. Of course, it is absurd to think that two little boys would have committed such a robbery; yet the ring was found in your hands, and the money concealed in your room, and therefore you are accused.”

“But, papa, can’t you take us away? We didn’t do it.”

“You silly boy, I know you did not do it. But would you not rather stay and prove satisfactorily to all that you did not? I should not wish to take you from here while the faintest shadow of a suspicion lingered that you were guilty.”

“Nor would I wish to go,” said Eric, proudly.

“Well, then we’ll stay,” said Johnny, dolefully; “but I think it is dreadfully unjust to spoil all our good time. We Americans wouldn’t do so to a Frenchman.”

“I’m afraid we would, under such suspicious evidences,” said his uncle. “But you needn’t worry about it, boys; every cloud has a silver lining.”

“It isn’t pleasant to know we can’t go out of our room,” said Eric.

“No: I must arrange about that,” Mr. Van Rasseulger answered. “I will write a note to the American consul, and get you released.”

Eric started suddenly to his feet.

“I am sure I heard Mr. Lacelle’s voice,” he said.

“You couldn’t have,” said Johnny. “You left him at Amsterdam.”

“I did, I know I did!” persisted Eric. “There it is again: that is he! O, Uncle John, go out and tell him about it.”

His uncle left them, and before long returned, actually bringing Mr.
Lacelle with him.

The diver was surprised beyond measure to find his favorite Eric in Strasbourg, and highly indignant at the circumstance which detained him.

“You are the most honest boy that ever lived,” he cried, and told Mr. Van Rasseulger about the box of sovereigns. “But come, tell me all about this,” he added.

Eric again related the incident, beginning with his discovery of Froll’s disappearance, and ending with the charge of theft and threat of prison.

Johnny, who despite his dislike of Frenchmen in general, cordially liked Mr. Lacelle, was surprised to see his gradually increasing excitement as Eric’s story progressed. At its termination, he started to his feet, and rapidly pacing the floor, exclaimed, joyfully,

Ha! a bon chat, bon rat!"

“What have cats and rats to do with it?” thought Eric.

“He is crazy!” thought Johnny.

“Ah!” thought Mr. Van Rasseulger, “can he see through the millstone?”

“Eric, your good name shall be cleared of all suspicion. Give me your hand!” exclaimed Mr. Lacelle. “I congratulate you, lad! I know who did the mischief.”

“Do you?” exclaimed the astonished boy.

“Yes, my friend,” answered the Frenchman, and darted from the room.

“Here’s a go!” cried Johnny, thrusting his hands into his pockets and striking an attitude; “he knows, and he hasn’t told us what he knows, and I think his nose ought to be pulled.”

“Do be still, Johnny,” said Eric, “it’s no time for jokes. Uncle John, what could he have meant?”

“I am totally in the dark,” replied his uncle.

“I wish Froll would come back,” murmured Johnny.

“I have it!” cried Eric, suddenly, rushing from the room, by the guard at the door, and after Mr. Lacelle.

“Well,” said Johnny, “I wish I had!”

Count D’Orsay’s conscience was not quite easy in regard to the manner in which he had persecuted the two friendless American boys. His suspicions had been aroused merely by the fact that they were about to leave Strasbourg; and the discovery of the missing articles in their possession had seemed at the time to prove their guilt conclusively. But upon reflection, the honest surprise expressed in little Johnny’s eyes, and Eric’s look of proud, indignant disdain, haunted him with suggestions of their innocence.

Might it not have been just possible that they did find the ring upon the floor, and did not know of the money’s concealment? But, then how could it be so? How could the ring and money have happened in their room, and for what purposes? Yet, again, if they did intend to steal, they had given up everything. He had lost nothing; and the French government would not thank him for quarrelling with an American just at that time. He would send word to the landlord to dismiss the policeman and let the boys have their liberty.

Just as this conclusion was reached, there came a tap at the door, and the waiter entered with Mr. Lacelle’s card, followed closely by Mr. Lacelle.

Count D’Orsay expressed great pleasure at the unexpected visit; but Mr. Lacelle, waiving all ceremony, explained that he had come to clear his dear American friends from the disgraceful charge against them.

He then spoke rapidly, in French, to the count, who appeared at first surprised, then credulous, then convinced.

With sincere regret, he asked to be allowed to apologize at once, and begged Mr. Lacelle to tell him of some way in which he could make some amends for his unjust accusation.

“I wish you to be thoroughly convinced,” said Mr. Lacelle. “Place the articles upon the table, open the window, and conceal yourself behind the curtain.”

Mr. Lacelle did so.