THE REAL THIEF.
Eric, when he reached the hall, was called by the landlord, who said,--
"I am having the rooms searched, at Monsieur Lacelle's request, for your
little monkey. Will you come with me? We may catch her more easily."
Eric was very glad to assist in the search. When nearly all the front
rooms had been thoroughly examined, to no purpose, the little truant was
found at last in the upper story asleep, on a soft cushion, in the
sunlight. Eric stole up softly and took possession of her.
She awoke with a loud chatter of defiance, and tried to escape, but Eric
held her fast.
The landlord then ordered a servant to close all the windows in the front
of the hotel, excepting those of Count D'Orsay, whose room was above that
of the two boys.
Eric hastened, at his request, for Froll's collar and chain, which were
fastened upon her, and then she was released upon the balcony under the
window of the boy's room, the landlord, Eric, Johnny, and Mr. Van
Rasseulger watching her movements with intense interest.
Meanwhile the count and Mr. Lacelle were stationed behind the window
curtains, on the lookout for the marauder.
Presently there was a sliding, scrambling, shuffling noise, and the thief
came in through the window--not Eric, nor Johnny, but a being very
insufficiently attired, and possessed of a long black tail; no less a
personage than the little monkey, Froll.
She walked straight to the table, climbed upon it, seized the ring, purse,
and a gold pencil which Mr. Lacelle had laid there. Then she withdrew to
the window, but to her rage and disappointment it was shut tight, and the
two gentlemen confronted her.
The little beast recognized Mr. Lacelle, and coolly handed him her stolen
freight, which was quickly restored to its rightful owner.
Thoroughly convinced of his unjust cruelty to Eric and Johnny, Count
D'Orsay descended to the balcony, offering sincere and earnest apologies.
Eric and Johnny, by turns hugging and scolding Froll, freely forgave the
indignity put upon them, and shook hands cordially with the mortified
count.
Mr. Lacelle was in his glory. He shook hands with the monkey, stroked the
boys' heads, and called Mr. Van Rasseulger "my dear" in his excitement;
telling everybody how he had instantly surmised the true offender, on
hearing of Froll's disappearance, and recalling the scene at Gravenhaag,
when she had stolen his glasses, climbing in then through the open window.
Finally he expressed an opinion that Froll had formerly belonged to an
unprincipled master, who had trained her to climb in at windows and take
away valuables.
And here we will take an opportunity to remark that this was really the
case, and that Eric subsequently learned that the man of whom Mr. Nichols
bought her was arrested and imprisoned for practising with another monkey
the same trick.
Count D'Orsay could not be pacified until Mr. Van Rasseulger promised that
the boys should visit him at the _Hotel D'Orsay_, on their return to
France.
His conscience smote him for his unjust severity and unkindness, all the
more for the frank, confiding way in which the two little heroes begged
him to forget the incident.
When they shook hands cordially with him, a glad cheer ascended from the
throng of servants and spectators, whose honest hearts took a lively
interest in the affair.
The boys and Froll were made much of; and Mr. Lacelle delighted Johnny for
hours with accounts of the wonders of the sea, so that the young
gentleman, completely fascinated, made up his mind to be a submarine diver
when he grew up.
Froll's collar was tightened, and she was fastened to her cage, after
having a bountiful feast of nuts.
When the evening was about half spent, a waiter brought a large parcel to
the door. It was addressed to "The Two Young Gentlemen at Room No. 37,"
and contained books, toys, games, and confectionery, of which the count
begged their acceptance.
"This has been a day of adventures," said Eric, as he and Johnny were
retiring late at night.
"Yes," answered Johnny, sleepily, nestling between the sheets, "it has
been a day of adventures, beginning with the wonderful clock, and ending
with--Froll's--Froll's--the count--" and with a little more indistinct
muttering, Johnny was fast asleep. Eric had read his chapter, and said his
prayers with Johnny; but now, as he looked at his little cousin asleep, a
sudden impulse seized him, and falling upon his knees by the bedside, he
prayed that his influence over Johnny might always be for good, and that
God would bless the bright, loving little boy, and make him a lamb of His
fold for the good Shepherd's sake.