CHAPTER XVIII.
A STRAIGHT DRIVE FOR THE TRUTH "So, you stole Owen's spoon, did you ?" Hugh said, reprovingly.
Thad made a gesture as though he thought his chum was putting it hard.
"I simply borrowed it, that's all, Hugh," he hastened to explain.

"Of course I haven't any use for souvenir spoons, or any other kind of spoons, either, for that matter.

I was tired of all this beating around the bush, and made a straight drive to find out the truth.
Either that boy is innocent, or else he's guilty, and now we can learn which it is." "What do you plan to do, now you have the spoon ?" demanded Hugh.
"Why," explained Thad, "I thought perhaps you'd agree to take me over to call on Madame Pangborn, even if it is Sunday.

The better the day the better the deed; and our main object would be to solve the horrible mystery that's been hanging over poor Owen's head all this while, even if he doesn't know about it.

What do you say to that, Hugh ?" The other boy seemed to consider, while Thad watched his face eagerly.
It was just like Thad to go directly at the heart of the matter, for his was rather an impetuous nature.