I 'd rather lose my money than suspect him falsely . '' `` How much was it ? '' `` Eleven dollars ; a one went first , and I supposed I 'd miscalculated somewhere when I took some out ; but when I missed a ten , I felt that I ought not to let it pass . '' `` Look here , sister , you just put the case into my hands and let me work it up . I wo n't say any thing to Ben till you give the word ; but I 'll watch him , and now that my eyes are open , it wo n't be easy to deceive me . '' Thorny was evidently pleased with the new play of detective , and intended to distinguish himself in that line ; but when Miss Celia asked how he meant to begin , he could only respond with a blank expression : `` Do n't know ! You give me the keys and leave a bill or two in the drawer , and may be I can find him out somehow . '' So the keys were given , and the little dressing-room where the old secretary stood was closely watched for a day or two . Ben cheered up a trifle which looked as if he knew an eye was upon him , but otherwise he went on as usual , and Miss Celia feeling a little guilty at even harboring a suspicion of him , was kind and patient with his moods . Thorny was very funny in the unnecessary mystery and fuss he made ; his affectation of careless indifference to Ben 's movements and his clumsy attempts to watch every one of them ; his dodgings up and down stairs , ostentatious clanking of keys , and the elaborate traps he set to catch his thief , such as throwing his ball in at the dressing-room window and sending Ben up the tree to get it , which he did , thereby proving beyond a doubt that he alone could have taken the money , Thorny thought . Another deep discovery was , that the old drawer was so shrunken that the lock could be pressed down by slipping a knife-blade between the hasp and socket . `` Now it is as clear as day , and you 'd better let me speak , '' he said , full of pride as well as regret at this triumphant success of his first attempt as a detective . `` Not yet , and you need do nothing more . I 'm afraid it was a mistake of mine to let you do this ; and if it has spoiled your friendship with Ben , I shall be very sorry ; for I do not think he is guilty , '' answered Miss Celia . `` Why not ? '' and Thorny looked annoyed . `` I 've watched also , and he does n't act like a deceitful boy . To-day I asked him if he wanted any money , or should I put what I owe him with the rest , and he looked me straight in the face with such honest , grateful eyes , I could not doubt him when he said ` Keep it , please , I do n't need any thing here , you are all so good to me . ' '' `` Now , Celia , do n't you be soft-hearted . He 's a sly little dog , and knows my eye is on him .
When I asked him what he saw in the XXXXX , after he brought out the ball , and looked sharply at him , he laughed , and said ` Only a mouse , ' as saucy as you please . ''
Ben Celia Thorny day dodgings dollars dressing-room first hasp knife-blade