But who the dickens is it ? '' said Tommy , after shaking hands heartily with Nat . `` Never mind , as long as it 's found , '' said Dan with his eyes fixed on Nat 's happy face . `` Well , I like that ! I 'm not going to have my things hooked , and then brought back like the juggling man 's tricks , '' cried Tommy , looking at his money as if he suspected witchcraft . `` We 'll find him out somehow , though he was sly enough to print this so his writing would n't be known , '' said Franz , examining the paper . `` Demi prints tip-top , '' put in Rob , who had not a very clear idea what the fuss was all about . `` You ca n't make me believe it 's him , not if you talk till you are blue , '' said Tommy , and the others hooted at the mere idea ; for the little deacon , as they called him , was above suspicion . Nat felt the difference in the way they spoke of Demi and himself , and would have given all he had or ever hoped to have to be so trusted ; for he had learned how easy it is to lose the confidence of others , how very , very hard to win it back , and truth became to him a precious thing since he had suffered from neglecting it . Mr. Bhaer was very glad one step had been taken in the right direction , and waited hopefully for yet further revelations . They came sooner than he expected , and in a way that surprised and grieved him very much . As they sat at supper that night , a square parcel was handed to Mrs. Bhaer from Mrs. Bates , a neighbor . A note accompanied the parcel , and , while Mr. Bhaer read it , Demi pulled off the wrapper , exclaiming , as he saw its contents , `` Why , it 's the book Uncle Teddy gave Dan ! '' `` The devil ! '' broke from Dan , for he had not yet quite cured himself of swearing , though he tried very hard . Mr. Bhaer looked up quickly at the sound . Dan tried to meet his eyes , but could not ; his own fell , and he sat biting his lips , getting redder and redder till he was the picture of shame . `` What is it ? '' asked Mrs. Bhaer , anxiously . `` I should have preferred to talk about this in private , but Demi has spoilt that plan , so I may as well have it out now , '' said Mr. Bhaer , looking a little stern , as he always did when any meanness or deceit came up for judgment .
`` The note is from Mrs. XXXXX , and she says that her boy Jimmy told her he bought this book of Dan last Saturday .
Bates Bhaer Dan Franz Nat Rob Tommy night right witchcraft