MARIAN ASSERTS HER INDEPENDENCE There was not the slightest clue to the thief who had stolen the iron box containing a little over five hundred dollars, for which the girls had worked so hard, but the loss was made good by Judge Putnam who, though on the bench at the state capital at the time the robbery occurred, had promptly sent Grace his check for the amount when Grace wrote him an account of it.

For which generous act he became the idol of Oakdale High School.
"As for the thief," observed Mr.Harlowe, several mornings later at the breakfast table, after Grace had opened the letter and joyfully exhibited the check to her mother and father; "he'll have some trouble opening that box.

It was the strongest box I have ever seen of the kind, made of iron reinforced with steel bands, with a combination lock that would baffle even your friend, Richards, Grace, who appeared to be a pretty sharp crook." "How will the thief get at the money, then, father ?" asked Grace.
"I can't imagine," answered Mr.Harlowe.

"If he tries to blow up the box he runs the chance of blowing up all the money at the same time, and I don't believe there is an instrument made that would pry it open.

He can't melt it and he can't knock a hole in it.