STRUGGLING UPWARD

 

OR

 

LUKE LARKIN'S LUCK

 

 

BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.

 

 

 

CHAPTER I

 

THE WATERBURY WATCH

 

 

One Saturday afternoon in January a lively and animated

group of boys were gathered on the western side of a large pond

in the village of Groveton. Prominent among them was a tall,

pleasant-looking young man of twenty-two, the teacher of the

Center Grammar School, Frederic Hooper, A. B., a recent graduate

of Yale College. Evidently there was something of importance

on foot. What it was may be learned from the words of the teacher.

 

"Now, boys," he said, holding in his hand a Waterbury watch, of

neat pattern, "I offer this watch as a prize to the boy who will

skate across the pond and back in the least time. You will all

start together, at a given signal, and make your way to the mark

which I have placed at the western end of the lake, skate around

it, and return to this point. Do you fully understand?"

 

"Yes, sir!" exclaimed the boys, unanimously.

 

Before proceeding, it may be well to refer more particularly

to some of the boys who were to engage in the contest.

 

First, in his own estimation, came Randolph Duncan, son of Prince

Duncan, president of the Groveton Bank, and a prominent town

official. Prince Duncan was supposed to be a rich man, and lived in

a style quite beyond that of his neighbors. Randolph was his only

son, a boy of sixteen, and felt that in social position and blue

blood he was without a peer in the village. He was a tall, athletic

boy, and disposed to act the part of boss among the Groveton boys.

 

Next came a boy similar in age and physical strength, but in other

respects very different from the young aristocrat. This was Luke

Larkin, the son of a carpenter's widow, living on narrow means, and

so compelled to exercise the strictest economy. Luke worked where

he could, helping the farmers in hay-time, and ready to do odd jobs

for any one in the village who desired his services. He filled the

position of janitor at the school which he attended, sweeping out

twice a week and making the fires. He had a pleasant expression,

and a bright, resolute look, a warm heart, and a clear intellect,

and was probably, in spite of his poverty, the most popular boy in

Groveton. In this respect he was the opposite of Randolph Duncan,

whose assumption of superiority and desire to "boss" the other boys

prevented him from having any real friends. He had two or three

companions, who flattered him and submitted to his caprices because

they thought it looked well to be on good terms with the young

aristocrat.

 

These two boys were looked upon as the chief contestants for

the prize offered by their teacher. Opinions differed as to which

would win.

 

"I think Luke will get the watch," said Fred Acken, a younger boy.

 

"I don't know about that," said Tom Harper. "Randolph skates

just as well, and he has a pair of club skates. His father sent

to New York for them last week. They're beauties, I tell you.

Randolph says they cost ten dollars."

 

"Of course that gives him the advantage," said Percy Hall. "Look

at Luke's old-fashioned wooden skates! They would be dear at

fifty cents!"

 

"It's a pity Luke hasn't a better pair," said Harry Wright. "I don't

think the contest is a fair one. Luke ought to have an allowance of

twenty rods, to make up for the difference in skates."

 

"He wouldn't accept it," said Linton Tomkins, the son of a

manufacturer in Groveton, who was an intimate friend of Luke, and

preferred to associate with him, though Randolph had made advances

toward intimacy, Linton being the only boy in the village whom he

regarded as his social equal. "I offered him my club skates, but

he said he would take the chances with his own."

 

Linton was the only boy who had a pair of skates equal to Randolph's.

He, too, was a contestant, but, being three years younger than Luke

and Randolph, had no expectation of rivaling them.

 

Randolph had his friends near him, administering the adulation he so

much enjoyed.

 

"I have no doubt you'll get the watch, Randolph," said Sam Noble.

"You're a better skater any day than Luke Larkin."

 

"Of course you are!" chimed in Tom Harper.

 

"The young janitor doesn't think so," said Randolph, his lips

curling.

 

"Oh, he's conceited enough to think he can beat you, I make

no doubt," said Sam.

 

"On those old skates, too! They look as if Adam might have used them

when he was a boy!"

 

This sally of Tom's created a laugh.

 

"His skates are old ones, to be sure," said Randolph, who was

quick-sighted enough to understand that any remark of this kind

might dim the luster of his expected victory. "His skates are old

enough, but they are just as good for skating as mine."

 

"They won't win him the watch, though," said Sam.

 

"I don't care for the watch myself," said Randolph, loftily.

"I've got a silver one now, and am to have a gold one when

I'm eighteen. But I want to show that I am the best skater.

Besides, father has promised me ten dollars if I win."

 

"I wish I had ten dollars," said Sam, enviously.

 

He was the son of the storekeeper, and his father allowed him only

ten cents a week pocket-money, so that ten dollars in his eyes was

a colossal fortune.

 

"I have no doubt you would, Sam," said Tom, joyously; "but you

couldn't be trusted with so much money. You'd go down to New York

and try to buy out A. T. Stewart."

 

"Are you ready, boys?" asked Mr. Hooper.

 

Most of the boys responded promptly in the affirmative; but Luke,

who had been tightening his straps, said quickly: "I am not ready,

Mr. Hooper. My strap has broken!"

 

"Indeed, Luke, I am sorry to hear it," said the teacher, approaching

and examining the fracture. "As matters stand, you can't skate."

 

Randolph's eyes brightened. Confident as he professed to feel, he

knew that his chances of success would be greatly increased by

Luke's withdrawal from the list.

 

"The prize is yours now," whispered Tom.

 

"It was before," answered Randolph, conceitedly.

 

Poor Luke looked disappointed. He knew that he had at least an even

chance of winning, and he wanted the watch. Several of his friends

of his own age had watches, either silver or Waterbury, and this

seemed, in his circumstances, the only chance of securing one. Now

he was apparently barred out.

 

"It's a pity you shouldn't skate, Luke," said Mr. Hooper, in a tone

of sympathy. "You are one of the best skaters, and had an excellent

chance of winning the prize. Is there any boy willing to lend Luke

his skates?"

 

"I will," said Frank Acken.

 

"My dear boy," said the teacher, "you forget that your feet

are several sizes smaller than Luke's."

 

"I didn't think of that," replied Frank, who was only twelve

years old.

 

"You may use my skates, Luke," said Linton Tomkins. "I think they

will fit you."

 

Linton was only thirteen, but he was unusually large for his age.

 

"You are very kind, Linton," said Luke, "but that will keep you out

of the race."

 

"I stand no chance of winning," said Linton, "and I will do my

skating afterward."

 

"I don't think that fair," said Randolph, with a frown. "Each boy

ought to use his own skates."

 

"There is nothing unfair about it," said the teacher, "except that

Luke is placed at disadvantage in using a pair of skates he is

unaccustomed to."

 

Randolph did not dare gainsay the teacher, but he looked sullen.

 

"Mr. Hooper is always favoring that beggar!" he said in a low

voice, to Tom Harper.

 

"Of course he is!" chimed in the toady.

 

"You are very kind, Linny," said Luke, regarding his friend

affectionately. "I won't soon forget it."

 

"Oh, it's all right, Luke," said Linton. "Now go in and win!"

 

 

 

CHAPTER II

 

TOM HARPER'S ACCIDENT

 

 

Tom Harper and Sam Noble were not wholly disinterested in their

championship of Randolph. They were very ordinary skaters, and stood

no chance of winning the match themselves. They wished Randolph to

win, for each hoped, as he had a silver watch himself already, he

might give the Waterbury to his faithful friend and follower.

Nothing in Randolph's character granted such a hope, for he was by

no means generous or open-handed, but each thought that he might

open his heart on this occasion. Indeed, Tom ventured to hint as

much.

 

"I suppose, Randolph," he said, "if you win the watch you will give

it to me?"

 

"Why should I?" asked Randolph, surveying Tom with a cold glance.

 

"You've got a nice silver watch yourself, you know."

 

"I might like to have two watches."

 

"You'll have the ten dollars your father promised you."

 

"What if I have? What claim have you on me?"

 

Tom drew near and whispered something in Randolph's ear.

 

"I'll see about it," said Randolph, nodding.

 

"Are you ready?" asked the teacher, once more.

 

"Aye, aye!" responded the boys.

 

"One--two--three--go!"

 

The boys darted off like arrows from a bow. Luke made a late start,

but before they were half across the pond he was even with Randolph,

and both were leading. Randolph looked sidewise, and shut his

mouth tight as he saw his hated rival on equal terms with him and

threatening to pass him. It would be humiliating in the extreme,

he thought, to be beaten by such a boy.

 

But beaten he seemed likely to be, for Luke was soon a rod in

advance and slowly gaining. Slowly, for Randolph was really a fine

skater and had no rival except Luke. But Luke was his superior, as

seemed likely to be proved.

 

Though only these two stood any chance of final success, all the

boys kept up the contest.

 

A branch of a tree had been placed at the western end of the pond,

and this was the mark around which the boys were to skate. Luke

made the circuit first, Randolph being about half a dozen rods

behind. After him came the rest of the boys in procession, with one

exception. This exception was Tom Harper, who apparently gave up

the contest when half-way across, and began skating about, here and

there, apparently waiting for his companions to return.

 

"Tom Harper has given up his chance," said Linton to the teacher.

 

"So it seems," replied Mr. Hooper, "but he probably had no

expectation of succeeding."

 

"I should think he would have kept on with the rest. I would

have done so, though my chance would have been no better than his."

 

Indeed, it seemed strange that Tom should have given up so quickly.

It soon appeared that it was not caprice, but that he had an object

in view, and that a very discreditable one.

 

He waited till the boys were on their way back. By this time Luke

was some eight rods in advance of his leading competitor. Then Tom

began to be on the alert. As Luke came swinging on to victory he

suddenly placed himself in his way. Luke's speed was so great that

he could not check himself. He came into collision with Tom, and in

an instant both were prostrate. Tom, however, got the worst of it.

He was thrown violently backward, falling on the back of his head,

and lay stunned and motionless on the ice. Luke fell over him, but

was scarcely hurt at all. He was up again in an instant, and might

still have kept the lead, but instead he got down on his knees

beside Tom and asked anxiously: "Are you much hurt, Tom?"

 

Tom didn't immediately answer, but lay breathing heavily, with his

eyes still closed.

 

Meanwhile, Randolph, with a smile of triumph, swept on to his now

assured victory. Most of the boys, however, stopped and gathered

round Luke and Tom.

 

This accident had been watched with interest and surprise from

the starting-point.

 

"Tom must be a good deal hurt," said Linton. "What could possibly

have made him get in Luke's way?"

 

"I don't know," said the teacher, slowly; "it looks strange."

 

"It almost seemed as if he got in the way on purpose," Linton

continued.

 

"He is a friend of Randolph Duncan, is he not?" asked the teacher,

abruptly.

 

"They are together about all the time."

 

"Ha!" commented the teacher, as if struck by an idea. He didn't,

however, give expression to the thought in his mind.

 

A minute more, and Randolph swept into the presence of the teacher.

 

"I believe I have won?" he said, with a smile of gratification on

his countenance.

 

"You have come in first," said the teacher coldly.

 

"Luke was considerably ahead when he ran into Tom," suggested

Linton.

 

"That's not my lookout," said Randolph, shrugging his shoulders.

"The point is that I have come in first."

 

"Tom Harper is a friend of yours, is he not?" asked the teacher.

 

"Oh, yes!" answered Randolph, indifferently.

 

"He seems to be a good deal hurt. It was very strange that

he got in Luke's way."

 

"So it was," said Randolph, without betraying much interest.

 

"Will you lend me your skates, Randolph?" asked Linton.

"I should like to go out and see if I can help Tom in any way."

 

If any other boy than Linton had made the request, Randolph would

have declined, but he wished, if possible, to add Linton to his

list of friends, and graciously consented.

 

Before Linton could reach the spot, Tom had been assisted to his

feet, and, with a dazed expression, assisted on either side by

Luke and Edmund Blake, was on his way back to the starting-point.

 

"What made you get in my way, Tom?" asked Luke, puzzled.

 

"I don't know," answered Tom, sullenly.

 

"Are you much hurt?"

 

"I think my skull must be fractured," moaned Tom.

 

"Oh, not so bad as that," said Luke, cheerfully. "I've fallen

on my head myself, but I got over it."

 

"You didn't fall as hard as I did," groaned Tom.

 

"No, I presume not; but heads are hard, and I guess you'll be all

right in a few days."

 

Tom had certainly been severely hurt. There was a swelling on the

back of his head almost as large as a hen's egg.

 

"You've lost the watch, Luke," said Frank Acken. "Randolph has got

in first."

 

"Yes, I supposed he would," answered Luke, quietly.

 

"And there is Linton Tomkins coming to meet us on Randolph's skates."

 

"Randolph is sitting down on a log taking it easy. What is your

loss, Luke, is his gain."

 

"Yes."

 

"I think he might have come back to inquire after you, Tom, as you

are a friend of his."

 

Tom looked resentfully at Randolph, and marked his complacent look,

and it occurred to him also that the friend he had risked so much

to serve was very ungrateful. But he hoped now, at any rate, to get

the watch, and thought it prudent to say nothing.

 

The boys had now reached the shore.

 

"Hope you're not much hurt, Tom?" said Randolph, in a tone of

mild interest.

 

"I don't know but my skull is fractured," responded Tom, bitterly.

 

"Oh, I guess not. It's the fortune of war. Well, I got in first."

 

Randolph waited for congratulations, but none came. All the boys

looked serious, and more than one suspected that there had been

foul play. They waited for the teacher to speak.

 

 

 

CHAPTER III

 

RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH

 

 

"It is true," said the teacher, slowly. "Randolph has won the race."

 

Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.

 

"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would

not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke

Larkin and Tom Harper."

 

Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.

 

"I don't know about that," said Randolph. "At any rate, I

came in first."

 

"I watched the race closely," said the teacher, "and I have

no doubt on the subject. Luke had so great a lead that he would

surely have won the race."

 

"But he didn't," persisted Randolph, doggedly.

 

"He did not, as we all know. It is also clear that had he not

stopped to ascertain the extent of Tom's injuries he still might

have won."

 

"That's so!" said half a dozen boys.

 

"Therefore I cannot accept the result as indicating the superiority

of the successful contestant."

 

"I think I am entitled to the prize," said Randolph.

 

"I concede that; but, under the circumstances, I suggest to you

that it would be graceful and proper to waive your claim and try

the race over again."

 

The boys applauded, with one or two exceptions.

 

"I won't consent to that, Mr. Hooper," said Randolph, frowning.

"I've won the prize fairly and I want it."

 

"I am quite willing Randolph should have it, sir," said Luke. "I

think I should have won it if I had not stopped with Tom, but that

doesn't affect the matter one way or the other. Randolph came in

first, as he says, and I think he is entitled to the watch."

 

"Then," said Mr. Hooper, gravely, "there is nothing more to be said.

Randolph, come forward and receive the prize."

 

Randolph obeyed with alacrity, and received the Waterbury watch

from the hands of Mr. Hooper. The boys stood in silence and offered

no congratulations.

 

"Now, let me say," said the teacher, "that I cannot understand

why there was any collision at all. Tom Harper, why did you get

in Luke's way?"

 

"Because I was a fool, sir," answered Tom, smarting from his

injuries, and the evident indifference of Randolph, in whose

cause he had incurred them.

 

"That doesn't answer my question. Why did you act like a fool, as

you expressed it?"

 

"I thought I could get out of the way in time," stammered Tom, who

did not dare to tell the truth.

 

"You had no other reason?" asked the teacher, searchingly.

 

"No, sir. What other reason could I have?" said Tom, but his manner

betrayed confusion.

 

"Indeed, I don't know," returned the teacher, quietly. "Your

action, however, spoiled Luke's chances and insured the success

of Randolph."

 

"And got me a broken head," muttered Tom, placing his hand upon the

swelling at the back of his head.

 

"Yes, you got the worst of it. I advise you to go home and apply

cold water or any other remedy your mother may suggest."

 

Randolph had already turned away, meaning to return home. Tom joined

him. Randolph would gladly have dispensed with his company, but had

no decent excuse, as Tom's home lay in the same direction as his.

 

"Well, Randolph, you've won the watch," said Tom, when they were

out of hearing of the other boys.

 

"Yes," answered Randolph, indifferently. "I don't care so much for

that as for the ten dollars my father is going to give me."

 

"That's what I thought. You've got another watch, you know--more

valuable."

 

"Well, what of it?" said Randolph, suspiciously.

 

"I think you might give me the Waterbury. I haven't got any."

 

"Why should I give it to you?" answered Randolph, coldly.

 

"Because but for me you wouldn't have won it, nor the ten

dollars, neither."

 

"How do you make that out?"

 

"The teacher said so himself."

 

"I don't agree to it."

 

"You can't deny it. Luke was seven or eight rods ahead when

I got in his way."

 

"Then it was lucky for me."

 

"It isn't lucky for me. My head hurts awfully."

 

"I'm very sorry, of course."

 

"That won't do me any good. Come, Randolph, give me the watch, like

a good fellow."

 

"Well, you've got cheek, I must say. I want the watch myself."

 

"And is that all the satisfaction I am to get for my broken head?"

exclaimed Tom, indignantly.

 

Randolph was a thoroughly mean boy, who, if he had had a dozen

watches, would have wished to keep them all for himself.

 

"I've a great mind to tell Luke and the teacher of the arrangement

between us."

 

"There wasn't any arrangement," said Randolph, sharply. "However,

as I'm really sorry for you, I am willing to give you a quarter.

There, now, don't let me hear any more about the matter."

 

He drew a silver quarter from his vest pocket and tendered it

to Tom.

 

Tom Harper was not a sensitive boy, but his face flushed with

indignation and shame, and he made no offer to take the money.

 

"Keep your quarter, Randolph Duncan," he said scornfully. "I think

you're the meanest specimen of a boy that I ever came across. Any

boy is a fool to be your friend. I don't care to keep company with

you any longer."

 

"This to me!" exclaimed Randolph, angrily. "This is the pay I

get for condescending to let you go with me."

 

"You needn't condescend any longer," said Tom, curtly, and he

crossed to the other side of the street.

 

Randolph looked after him rather uneasily. After all, he was

sorry to lose his humble follower.

 

"He'll be coming round in a day or two to ask me to take him back,"

he reflected. "I would be willing to give him ten cents more, but

as for giving him the watch, he must think me a fool to part with

that."

 

 

 

CHAPTER IV

 

LUKE'S NIGHT ADVENTURE

 

 

"I am sorry you have lost the watch, Luke," said the teacher,

after Randolph's departure. "You will have to be satisfied with

deserving it."

 

"I am reconciled to the disappointment, sir," answered Luke. "I

can get along for the present without a watch."

 

Nevertheless, Luke did feel disappointed. He had fully expected to

have the watch to carry home and display to his mother. As it was,

he was in no hurry to go home, but remained for two hours skating

with the other boys. He used his friend Linton's skates, Linton

having an engagement which prevented his remaining.

 

It was five o'clock when Luke entered the little cottage which

he called home. His mother, a pleasant woman of middle age,

was spreading the cloth for supper. She looked up as he entered.

 

"Well, Luke?" she said inquiringly.

 

"I haven't brought home the watch, mother," he said. "Randolph

Duncan won it by accident. I will tell you about it."

 

After he had done so, Mrs. Larkin asked thoughtfully. "Isn't it

a little singular that Tom should have got in your way?"

 

"Yes; I thought so at the time."

 

"Do you think there was any arrangement between him and Randolph?"

 

"As you ask me, mother, I am obliged to say that I do."

 

"It was a very mean trick!" said Mrs. Larkin, resentfully.

 

"Yes, it was; but poor Tom was well punished for it. Why, he's got

a bunch on the back of his head almost as large as a hen's egg."

 

"I don't pity him," said Mrs. Larkin.

 

"I pity him, mother, for I don't believe Randolph will repay him

for the service done him. If Randolph had met with the same accident

I am not prepared to say that I should have pitied him much."

 

"You might have been seriously injured yourself, Luke."

 

"I might, but I wasn't, so I won't take that into consideration.

However, mother, watch or no watch, I've got a good appetite.

I shall be ready when supper is."

 

Luke sat down to the table ten minutes afterward and proved his

words good, much to his mother's satisfaction.

 

While he is eating we will say a word about the cottage. It was

small, containing only four rooms, furnished in the plainest

fashion. The rooms, however, were exceedingly neat, and presented an

appearance of comfort. Yet the united income of Mrs. Larkin and Luke

was very small. Luke received a dollar a week for taking care of the

schoolhouse, but this income only lasted forty weeks in the year.

Then he did odd jobs for the neighbors, and picked up perhaps as

much more. Mrs. Larkin had some skill as a dressmaker, but Groveton

was a small village, and there was another in the same line, so that

her income from this source probably did not average more than three

dollars a week. This was absolutely all that they had to live on,

though there was no rent to pay; and the reader will not be

surprised to learn that Luke had no money to spend for watches.

 

"Are you tired, Luke?" asked his mother, after supper.

 

"No, mother. Can I do anything for you?"

 

"I have finished a dress for Miss Almira Clark. I suppose she

will want to wear it to church to-morrow. But she lives so far

away, I don't like to ask you to carry it to her."

 

"Oh, I don't mind. It won't do me any harm."

 

"You will get tired."

 

"If I do, I shall sleep the better for it."

 

"You are a good son, Luke."

 

"I ought to be. Haven't I got a good mother?"

 

So it was arranged. About seven o'clock, after his chores were

done--for there was some wood to saw and split--Luke set out, with

the bundle under his arm, for the house of Miss Clark, a mile and

a half away.

 

It was a commonplace errand, that on which Luke had started, but

it was destined to be a very important day in his life. It was to

be a turning-point, and to mark the beginning of a new chapter of

experiences. Was it to be for good or ill? That we are not prepared

to reveal. It will be necessary for the reader to follow his career,

step by step, and decide for himself.

 

Of course, Luke had no thought of this when he set out. To him it

had been a marked day on account of the skating match, but this

had turned out a disappointment. He accomplished his errand, which

occupied a considerable time, and then set out on his return. It was

half-past eight, but the moon had risen and diffused a mild radiance

over the landscape. Luke thought he would shorten his homeward way

by taking a path through the woods. It was not over a quarter of a

mile, but would shorten the distance by as much more. The trees were

not close together, so that it was light enough to see. Luke had

nearly reached the edge of the wood, when he overtook a tall man,

a stranger in the neighborhood, who carried in his hand a tin box.

Turning, he eyed Luke sharply.

 

"Boy, what's your name?" he asked.

 

"Luke Larkin," our hero answered, in surprise.

 

"Where do you live?"

 

"In the village yonder."

 

"Will you do me a favor?"

 

"What is it, sir?"

 

"Take this tin box and carry it to your home. Keep it under lock

and key till I call for it."

 

"Yes, sir, I can do that. But how shall I know you again?"

 

"Take a good look at me, that you may remember me."

 

"I think I shall know you again, but hadn't you better give me

a name?"

 

"Well, perhaps so," answered the other, after a moment's thought.

"You may call me Roland Reed. Will you remember?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"I am obliged to leave this neighborhood at once, and can't

conveniently carry the box," explained the stranger. "Here's

something for your trouble."

 

Luke was about to say that he required no money, when it occurred

to him that he had no right to refuse, since money was so scarce

at home. He took the tin box and thrust the bank-bill into his

vest pocket. He wondered how much it was, but it was too dark to

distinguish.

 

"Good night!" said Luke, as the stranger turned away.

 

"Good night!" answered his new acquaintance, abruptly.

 

If Luke could have foreseen the immediate consequences of this

apparently simple act, and the position in which it would soon

place him, he would certainly have refused to take charge of the

box. And yet in so doing it might have happened that he had made a

mistake. The consequences of even our simple acts are oftentimes

far-reaching and beyond the power of human wisdom to foreknow.

 

Luke thought little of this as, with the box under his arm, he

trudged homeward.

 

 

 

CHAPTER V

 

LUKE RECEIVES AN INVITATION

 

 

"What have you there, Luke?" asked Mrs. Larkin, as Luke entered the

little sitting-room with the tin box under his arm.

 

"I met a man on my way home, who asked me to keep it for him."

 

"Do you know the man?" asked his mother, in surprise.

 

"No," answered Luke.

 

"It seems very singular. What did he say?"

 

"He said that he was obliged to leave the neighborhood at once, and

could not conveniently carry the box."

 

"Do you think it contains anything of value?"

 

"Yes, mother. It is like the boxes rich men have to hold their

stocks and bonds. I was at the bank one day, and saw a gentleman

bring in one to deposit in the safe."

 

"I can't understand that at all, Luke. You say you did not know

this man?"

 

"I never met him before."

 

"And, of course, he does not know you?"

 

"No, for he asked my name."

 

"Yet he put what may be valuable property in your possession."

 

"I think," said Luke, shrewdly, "he had no one else to trust

it to. Besides, a country boy wouldn't be very likely to make

use of stocks and bonds."

 

"No, that is true. I suppose the tin box is locked?"

 

"Yes, mother. The owner--he says his name is Roland Reed--wishes

it put under lock and key."

 

"I can lock it up in my trunk, Luke."

 

"I think that will be a good idea."

 

"I hope he will pay you for your trouble when he takes away

the tin box."

 

"He has already. I forgot to mention it," and Luke drew from his

vest pocket, the bank-note he had thrust in as soon as received.

"Why, it's a ten-dollar bill!" he exclaimed. "I wonder whether he

knew he was giving me as much?"

 

"I presume so, Luke," said his mother, brightening up. "You are

in luck!"

 

"Take it, mother. You will find a use for it."

 

"But, Luke, this money is yours."

 

"No, it is yours, for you are going to take care of the box."

 

It was, indeed, quite a windfall, and both mother and son retired

to rest in a cheerful frame of mind, in spite of Luke's failure in

the race.

 

"I have been thinking, Luke," said his mother, at the breakfast-table,

"that I should like to have you buy a Waterbury watch out of this

money. It will only cost three dollars and a half, and that is only

one-third."

 

"Thank you, mother, but I can get along without the watch. I

cared for it chiefly because it was to be a prize given to the

best skater. All the boys know that I would have won but for

the accident, and that satisfies me."

 

"I should like you to have a watch, Luke."

 

"There is another objection, mother. I don't want any one

to know about the box or the money. If it were known that we

had so much property in the house, some attempt might be made

to rob us."

 

"That is true, Luke. But I hope it won't be long before you

have a watch of your own."

 

When Luke was walking, after breakfast, he met Randolph

Duncan, with a chain attached to the prize watch ostentatiously

displayed on the outside of his vest. He smiled complacently,

and rather triumphantly, when he met Luke. But Luke looked

neither depressed nor angry.

 

"I hope your watch keeps good time, Randolph," he said.

 

"Yes; it hasn't varied a minute so far. I think it will keep

as good time as my silver watch."

 

"You are fortunate to have two watches."

 

"My father has promised me a gold watch when I am eighteen,"

said Randolph, pompously.

 

"I don't know if I shall have any watch at all when I am eighteen."

 

"Oh, well, you are a poor boy. It doesn't matter to you."

 

"I don't know about that, Randolph. Time is likely to be

of as much importance to a poor boy as to a rich boy."

 

"Oh, ah! yes, of course, but a poor boy isn't expected to wear

a watch."

 

Here the conversation ended. Luke walked on with an amused smile

on his face.

 

"I wonder how it would seem to be as complacent and self-satisfied

as Randolph?" he thought. "On the whole, I would rather be as I am."

 

"Good morning, Luke!"

 

It was a girl's voice that addressed him. Looking up, he met the

pleasant glance of Florence Grant, considered by many the prettiest

girl in Groveton. Her mother was a widow in easy circumstances,

who had removed from Chicago three years before, and occupied a

handsome cottage nearly opposite Mr. Duncan's residence. She was a

general favorite, not only for her good looks, but on account of

her pleasant manner and sweet disposition.

 

"Good morning, Florence," said Luke, with an answering smile.

 

"What a pity you lost the race yesterday!"

 

"Randolph doesn't think so."

 

"No; he is a very selfish boy, I am afraid."

 

"Did you see the race?" asked Luke.

 

"No, but I heard all about it. If it hadn't been for Tom Harper

you would have won, wouldn't you?"

 

"I think so."

 

"All the boys say so. What could have induced Tom to get in the way?"

 

"I don't know. It was very foolish, however. He got badly hurt."

 

"Tom is a friend of Randolph," said Florence significantly.

 

"Yes," answered Luke; "but I don't think Randolph would

stoop to such a trick as that."

 

"You wouldn't, Luke, but Randolph is a different boy.

Besides, I hear he was trying for something else."

 

"I know; his father offered him ten dollars besides."

 

"I don't see why it is that some fare so much better than

others," remarked Florence, thoughtfully. "The watch and the

money would have done you more good."

 

"So they would, Florence, but I don't complain. I may be

better off some day than I am now."

 

"I hope you will, Luke," said Florence, cordially.

 

"I am very much obliged to you for your good wishes," said

Luke, warmly.

 

"That reminds me, Luke, next week, Thursday, is my birthday,

and I am to have a little party in the evening. Will you come?"

 

Luke's face flushed with pleasure. Though he knew Florence

very well from their being schoolfellows, he had never visited

the house. He properly regarded the invitation as a compliment,

and as a mark of friendship from one whose good opinion he

highly valued.

 

"Thank you, Florence," he said. "You are very kind, and I shall

have great pleasure in being present. Shall you have many?"

 

"About twenty. Your friend Randolph will be there."

 

"I think there will be room for both of us," said Luke, with

a smile.

 

The young lady bade him good morning and went on her way.

 

Two days later Luke met Randolph at the dry-goods store in

the village.

 

"What are you buying?" asked Randolph, condescendingly.

 

"Only a spool of thread for my mother."

 

"I am buying a new necktie to wear to Florence Grant's birthday

party," said Randolph, pompously.

 

"I think I shall have to do the same," said Luke, enjoying

the surprise he saw expressed on Randolph's face.

 

"Are you going?" demanded Randolph, abruptly.

 

"Yes."

 

"Have you been invited?"

 

"That is a strange question," answered Luke, indignantly. "Do you

think I would go without an invitation?"

 

"Really, it will be quite a mixed affair," said Randolph, shrugging

his shoulders.

 

"If you think so, why do you go?"

 

"I don't want to disappoint Florence."

 

Luke smiled. He was privately of the opinion that the disappointment

wouldn't be intense.

 

 

 

CHAPTER VI

 

PREPARING FOR THE PARTY

 

 

The evening of the party arrived. It was quite a social event at

Groveton, and the young people looked forward to it with pleasant

anticipation. Randolph went so far as to order a new suit for the

occasion. He was very much afraid it would not be ready in time,

but he was not to be disappointed. At five o'clock on Thursday

afternoon it was delivered, and Randolph, when arrayed in it,

surveyed himself with great satisfaction. He had purchased a

handsome new necktie, and he reflected with pleasure that no boy

present--not even Linton--would be so handsomely dressed as himself.

He had a high idea of his personal consequence, but he was also of

the opinion that "fine feathers make fine birds," and his suit was

of fine cloth and stylish make.

 

"I wonder what the janitor will wear?" he said to himself, with a

curl of the lip. "A pair of overalls, perhaps. They would be very

appropriate, certainly."

 

This was just the question which was occupying Luke's mind. He

did not value clothes as Randolph did, but he liked to look neat.

Truth to tell, he was not very well off as to wardrobe. He had his

every-day suit, which he wore to school, and a better suit, which he

had worn for over a year. It was of mixed cloth, neat in appearance,

though showing signs of wear; but there was one trouble. During the

past year Luke had grown considerably, and his coat-sleeves were

nearly two inches too short, and the legs of his trousers deficient

quite as much. Nevertheless, he dressed himself, and he, too,

surveyed himself, not before a pier-glass, but before the small

mirror in the kitchen.

 

"Don't my clothes look bad, mother?" he asked anxiously.

 

"They are neat and clean, Luke," said his mother, hesitatingly.

 

"Yes, I know; but they are too small."

 

"You have been growing fast in the last year, Luke," said his

mother, looking a little disturbed. "I suppose you are not sorry

for that?"

 

"No," answered Luke, with a smile, "but I wish my coat and

trousers had grown, too."

 

"I wish, my dear boy, I could afford to buy you a new suit."

 

"Oh, never mind, mother," said Luke, recovering his cheerfulness.

"They will do for a little while yet. Florence didn't invite me

for my clothes."

 

"No; she is a sensible girl. She values you for other reasons."

 

"I hope so, mother. Still, when I consider how handsomely Randolph

will be dressed, I can't help thinking that there is considerable

difference in our luck."

 

"Would you be willing to exchange with him, Luke?"

 

"There is one thing I wouldn't like to exchange."

 

"And what is that?"

 

"I wouldn't exchange my mother for his," said Luke, kissing the

widow affectionately. "His mother is a cold, proud, disagreeable

woman, while I have the best mother in the world."

 

"Don't talk foolishly, Luke," said Mrs. Larkin; but her face

brightened, and there was a warm feeling in her heart, for it

was very pleasant to her to hear Luke speak of her in this way.

 

"I won't think any more about it, mother," said Luke. "I've got

a new necktie, at any rate, and I will make that do."

 

Just then there was a knock at the door, and Linton entered.

 

"I thought I would come round and go to the party with you,

Luke," he said.

 

Linton was handsomely dressed, though he had not bought a suit

expressly, like Randolph. He didn't appear to notice Luke's scant

suit. Even if he had, he would have been too much of a gentleman

to refer to it.

 

"I think we shall have a good time," he said. "We always do at

Mrs. Grant's. Florence is a nice girl, and they know how to make

it pleasant. I suppose we shall have dancing."

 

"I don't know how to dance," said Luke, regretfully. "I should like

to have taken lessons last winter when Professor Bent had a class,

but I couldn't afford it."

 

"You have seen dancing?"

 

"Oh, yes."

 

"It doesn't take much knowledge to dance a quadrille, particularly

if you get on a side set. Come, we have an hour before it is time

to go. Suppose I give you a lesson?"

 

"Do you think I could learn enough in that time to venture?"

 

"Yes, I do. If you make an occasional mistake it won't matter. So,

if your mother will give us the use of the sitting-room, I will

commence instructions."

 

Luke had looked at some dancers in the dining-room at the hotel, and

was not wholly a novice, therefore. Linton was an excellent dancer,

and was clear in his directions. It may also be said that Luke was

a ready learner. So it happened at the end of the hour that the

pupil had been initiated not only in the ordinary changes of the

quadrille, but also in one contra dance, the Virginia Reel, which

was a great favorite among the young people of Groveton.

 

"Now, I think you'll do, Luke," said Linton, when the lesson

was concluded. "You are very quick to learn."

 

"You think I won't be awkward, Linton?"

 

"No, if you keep cool and don't get flustered."

 

"I am generally pretty cool. But I shall be rather surprised

to see myself on the floor," laughed Luke.

 

"No doubt others will be, but you'll have a great deal more fun."

 

"So I shall. I don't like leaning against the wall while others

are having a good time."

 

"If you could dance as well as you can skate you would have no

trouble, Luke."

 

"No; that is where Randolph has the advantage of me."

 

"He is a very great dancer, though he can't come up to you in

skating. However, dancing isn't everything. Dance as well as he

may, he doesn't stand as high in the good graces of Florence Grant

as he would like to do."

 

"I always noticed that he seemed partial to Florence."

 

"Yes, but it isn't returned. How about yourself, Luke?"

 

Luke, being a modest boy, blushed.

 

"I certainly think Florence a very nice girl," he said.

 

"I was sure of that," said Linton, smiling.

 

"But I don't want to stand in your way, Linton," continued Luke,

with a smile.

 

"No danger, Luke. Florence is a year older than I am. Now, you are

nearly two years older than she, and are better matched. So you

needn't consider me in the matter."

 

Of course, this was all a joke. It was true, however, that of all

the girls in Groveton, Luke was more attracted by Florence Grant

than by any other, and they had always been excellent friends. It

was well known that Randolph also was partial to the young lady,

but he certainly had never received much encouragement.

 

Finally the boys got out, and were very soon at the door of Mrs.

Grant's handsome cottage. It was large upon the ground, with a

broad veranda, in the Southern style. In fact, Mrs. Grant was

Southern by birth, and, erecting the house herself, had it built

after the fashion of her Southern birthplace.

 

Most of the young visitors had arrived when Luke and Linton

put in an appearance. They had been detained longer than they

were aware by the dancing-lesson.

 

Randolph and Sam Noble were sitting side by side at one end

of the room, facing the entrance.

 

"Look," said Randolph, with a satirical smile, to his companion,

"there comes the young janitor in his dress suit. Just look

at his coat-sleeves and the legs of his trousers. They are at

least two inches too short. Any other boy would be ashamed to

come to a party in such ridiculous clothes."

 

Sam looked and tittered. Luke's face flushed, for, though he

did not hear the words, he guessed their tenor. But he was made

to forget them when Florence came forward and greeted Linton

and himself with unaffected cordiality.

 

 

 

CHAPTER VII

 

FLORENCE GRANT'S PARTY

 

 

Luke's uncomfortable consciousness of his deficiencies in dress soon

passed off. He noticed the sneer on Randolph's face and heard Sam's

laugh, but he cared very little for the opinion of either of them.

No other in the company appeared to observe his poor dress, and he

was cordially greeted by them all, with the two exceptions already

named.

 

"The janitor ought to know better than to intrude into the society

of his superiors," said Randolph to Sam.

 

"He seems to enjoy himself," said Sam.

 

This was half an hour after the party had commenced, when all were

engaged in one of the plays popular at a country party.

 

"I am going to have a party myself in a short time," continued

Randolph, "but I shall be more select than Florence in my invitations.

I shall not invite any working boys."

 

"Right you are, Randolph," said the subservient Sam. "I hope

you won't forget me."

 

"Oh, no; I shall invite you. Of course, you don't move exactly

in my circle, but, at any rate, you dress decently."

 

If Sam Noble had had proper pride he would have resented the

insolent assumption of superiority in this speech, but he was

content to play second fiddle to Randolph Duncan. His family,

like himself, were ambitious to be on good terms with the leading

families in the village, and did not mind an occasional snub.

 

"Shall you invite Tom Harper?" he asked.

 

He felt a little jealous of Tom, who had vied with him in flattering

attentions to Randolph.

 

"No, I don't think so. Tom isn't here, is he?"

 

"He received an invitation, but ever since his accident he has been

troubled with severe headaches, and I suppose that keeps him away."

 

"He isn't up to my standard," said Randolph, consequentially. "He

comes of a low family."

 

"You and he have been together a good deal."

 

"Oh, I have found him of some service, but I have paid for it."

 

Yet this was the boy who, at his own personal risk, had obtained

for Randolph the prize at the skating-match. Privately, Sam thought

Randolph ungrateful, but he was, nevertheless, pleased at having

distanced Tom in the favor of the young aristocrat.

 

After an hour, spent in various amusements, one of the company

took her place at the piano, and dancing began.

 

"Now is your time, Luke," said Linton. "Secure a partner. It is

only a quadrille."

 

"I feel a little nervous," said Luke. "Perhaps I had better wait

till the second dance."

 

"Oh, nonsense! Don't be afraid."

 

Meanwhile, Randolph, with a great flourish, had invited Florence

to dance.

 

"Thank you," she answered, taking his arm.

 

Randolph took his place with her as head couple. Linton and Annie

Comray faced them. To Randolph's amazement, Luke and Fanny Pratt

took their places as one of the side couples. Randolph, who was

aware that Luke had never taken lessons, remarked this with equal

surprise and disgust. His lip curled as he remarked to his partner:

"Really, I didn't know that Luke Larkin danced."

 

"Nor I," answered Florence.

 

"I am sorry he is in our set."

 

"Why?" asked Florence, regarding him attentively.

 

"He will probably put us out by his clownish performance."

 

"Wouldn't it be well to wait and see whether he does or not?"

responded Florence, quietly.

 

Randolph shrugged his shoulders.

 

"I pity his partner, at any rate," he said.

 

"I can't join in any such conversation about one of my guests,"

said Florence, with dignity.

 

Here the first directions were given, and the quadrille commenced.

 

Luke felt a little nervous, it must be confessed, and for

that reason he watched with unusual care the movements of the

head couples. He was quick to learn, and ordinarily cool and

self-possessed. Besides, he knew that no one was likely to

criticize him except Randolph. He saw the latter regarding him with

a mocking smile, and this stimulated him to unusual carefulness.

The result was that he went through his part with quite as much ease

and correctness as any except the most practiced dancers. Florence

said nothing, but she turned with a significant smile to Randolph.

The latter looked disappointed and mortified. His mean disposition

would have been gratified by Luke's failure, but this was a

gratification he was not to enjoy.

 

The dance was at length concluded, and Luke, as he led his

partner to a seat, felt that he had scored a success.

 

"May I have the pleasure of dancing with you next time, Florence?"

asked Randolph.

 

"Thank you, but I should not think it right to slight my other

guests," said the young lady.

 

Just then Luke came up and preferred the same request. He would

not have done so if he had not acquitted himself well in the

first quadrille.

 

Florence accepted with a smile.

 

"I was not aware that dancing was one of your accomplishments,

Luke," she said.

 

"Nor I, till this evening," answered Luke. "There stands my

teacher," and he pointed to Linton.

 

"You do credit to your teacher," said Florence. "I should not

have known you were such a novice."

 

Luke was pleased with this compliment, and very glad that he had

been spared the mortification of breaking down before the eyes of

his ill-wisher, Randolph Duncan. It is hardly necessary to say that

he did equally well in the second quadrille, though he and Florence

were head couple.

 

The next dance was the Virginia Reel. Here Florence had Linton for

a partner, and Luke secured as his own partner a very good dancer.

From prudence, however, he took his place at some distance from the

head, and by dint of careful watching he acquitted himself as well

as in the quadrilles.

 

"Really, Luke, you are doing wonderfully well," said Linton, when

the dance was over. "I can hardly believe that you have taken but

one lesson, and that from so poor a teacher as I am."

 

"I couldn't have had a better teacher, Lin," said Luke. "I owe my

success to you."

 

"Didn't you say Luke couldn't dance?" asked Sam Noble of Randolph,

later in the evening.

 

"He can't," answered Randolph, irritably.

 

"He gets along very well, I am sure. He dances as well as I do."

 

"That isn't saying much," answered Randolph, with a sneer. He could

not help sneering even at his friends, and this was one reason why

no one was really attached to him.

 

Sam walked away offended.

 

The party broke up at half-past ten. It was an early hour, but late

enough considering the youth of the participants. Luke accompanied

home one of the girls who had no brother present, and then turned

toward his own home.

 

He had nearly reached it, when a tall figure, moving from the

roadside, put a hand on his shoulder.

 

"You are Luke Larkin?" said the stranger, in questioning tone.

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Is the tin box safe?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"That is all--for the present," and the stranger walked quickly away.

 

"Who can he be," thought Luke, in wonder, "and why should he have

trusted a complete stranger--and a boy?"

 

Evidently there was some mystery about the matter. Had the stranger

come honestly by the box, or was Luke aiding and abetting a thief?

He could not tell.

 

 

 

CHAPTER VIII

 

MISS SPRAGUE DISCOVERS A SECRET

 

 

About this time it became known to one person in the village that

the Larkins had in their possession a tin box, contents unknown.

 

This is the way it happened:

 

Among the best-known village residents was Miss Melinda Sprague,

a maiden lady, who took a profound interest in the affairs of her

neighbors. She seldom went beyond the limits of Groveton, which

was her world. She had learned the business of dressmaking, and

often did work at home for her customers. She was of a curious and

prying disposition, and nothing delighted her more than to acquire

the knowledge of a secret.

 

One day--a few days after Florence Grant's party--Mrs. Larkin was

in her own chamber. She had the trunk open, having occasion to take

something from it, when, with a light step, Miss Sprague entered

the room. The widow, who was on her knees before the trunk, turning,

recognized the intruder, not without displeasure.

 

"I hope you'll excuse my coming in so unceremoniously, Mrs. Larkin,"

said Melinda, effusively. "I knocked, but you didn't hear it, being

upstairs, and I took the liberty, being as we were so well

acquainted, to come upstairs in search of you."

 

"Yes, certainly," answered Mrs. Larkin, but her tone was

constrained.

 

She quickly shut the lid of the trunk. There was only one thing

among its contents which she was anxious to hide, but that Miss

Melinda's sharp eyes had already discovered. Unfortunately, the

tin box was at one side, in plain sight.

 

"What on earth does Mrs. Larkin do with a tin box?" she asked

herself, with eager curiosity. "Can she have property that people

don't know of? I always thought she was left poor."

 

Melinda asked no questions. The sudden closing of the trunk

showed her that the widow would not be inclined to answer any

questions.

 

"I won't let her think I saw anything," she said to herself.

"Perhaps she'll get anxious and refer to it."

 

"We will go downstairs, Melinda," said Mrs. Larkin. "It will be

more comfortable."

 

"If you have anything to do up here, I beg you won't mind me," said

the spinster.

 

"No, I have nothing that won't wait."

 

So the two went down into the sitting-room.

 

"And how is Luke?" asked Miss Sprague, in a tone of friendly interest.

 

"Very well, thank you."

 

"Luke was always a great favorite of mine," continued the spinster.

"Such a manly boy as he is!"

 

"He is a great help to me," said Mrs. Larkin.

 

"No doubt he is. He takes care of the schoolhouse, doesn't he?"

 

"Yes."

 

"How much pay does he get?"

 

"A dollar a week."

 

"I hope he will be able to keep the position."

 

"What do you mean, Melinda?" asked the widow, not without anxiety.

 

"You know Doctor Snodgrass has resigned on the school committee,

and Squire Duncan has been elected in his place."

 

"Well?"

 

"Mrs. Flanagan went to him yesterday to ask to have her son Tim

appointed janitor in place of Luke, and I heard that she received

considerable encouragement from the squire."

 

"Do they find any fault with Luke?" asked Mrs. Larkin, jealously.

 

"No, not as I've heard; but Mrs. Flanagan said Luke had had

it for a year, and now some one else ought to have the chance."

 

"Are you quite sure of this, Melinda?"

 

Miss Sprague, though over forty, was generally called by her first

name, not as a tribute to her youth, but to the fact of her being

still unmarried.

 

"Yes, I am; I had it from Mrs. Flanagan herself."

 

"I don't think Tim would do as well as Luke. He has never been

able to keep a place yet."

 

"Just so; but, of course, his mother thinks him a polygon." Probably

Miss Sprague meant a paragon--she was not very careful in her

speech, but Mrs. Larkin did not smile at her mistake. She was too

much troubled at the news she had just heard. A dollar a week may

seem a ridiculous trifle to some of my readers, but, where the

entire income of the family was so small, it was a matter of some

consequence.

 

"I don't think Luke has heard anything of this," said the widow. "He

has not mentioned it to me."

 

"Perhaps there won't be any change, after all," said Melinda. "I am

sure Tim Flanagan wouldn't do near as well as Luke."

 

Miss Melinda was not entirely sincere. She had said to Mrs. Flanagan

that she quite agreed with her that Luke had been janitor long

enough, and hoped Tim would get the place. She was in the habit of

siding with the person she chanced to be talking with at the moment,

and this was pretty well understood.

 

Luke, however, had heard of this threatened removal. For this, it

may be said, Randolph was partly responsible. Just after Mrs.

Flanagan's call upon the squire to solicit his official influence,

Prince Duncan mentioned the matter to his son.

 

"How long has Luke Larkin been janitor at the schoolhouse?"

he asked.

 

"About a year. Why do you ask?"

 

"Does he attend to the duties pretty well?"

 

"I suppose so. He's just fit to make fires and sweep the floor,"

answered Randolph, his lip curling.

 

"Mrs. Flanagan has been here to ask me to appoint her son Tim in

Luke's place."

 

"You'd better do it, pa," said Randolph, quickly.

 

"Why? You say Luke is well fitted for the position."

 

"Oh, anybody could do as well, but Luke puts on airs. He feels

too big for his position."

 

"I suppose Mrs. Larkin needs the money."

 

"So does Mrs. Flanagan," said Randolph.

 

"What sort of a boy is Tim? I have heard that he is lazy."

 

"Oh, I guess he'll do. Of course, I am not well acquainted with a

boy like him," said the young aristocrat. "But I'm quite disgusted

with Luke. He was at Florence Grant's party the other evening, and

was cheeky enough to ask her to dance with him."

 

"Did she do so?"

 

"Yes; I suppose it was out of pity. He ought to have known better

than to attend a party with such a suit. His coat and pantaloons

were both too small for him, but he flourished around as if he

were fashionably dressed."

 

Squire Duncan made no reply to his son's comments, but he felt

disposed, for reasons of his own, to appoint Tim Flanagan. He was

hoping to be nominated for representative at the next election, and

thought the appointment might influence the Irish vote in his favor.

 

"Shall you appoint Tim, pa?" asked Randolph.

 

"I think it probable. It seems only right to give him a chance.

Rotation in office is a principle of which I approve."

 

"That's good!" thought Randolph, with a smile of gratification.

"It isn't a very important place, but Luke will be sorry to

lose it. The first time I see him I will give him a hint of it."

 

Randolph met Luke about an hour later in the village street.

He did not often stop to speak with our hero, but this time he

had an object in doing so.

 

 

 

CHAPTER IX

 

LUKE LOSES HIS POSITION

 

 

"Luke Larkin!"

 

Luke turned, on hearing his name called, and was rather surprised

to see Randolph hastening toward him.

 

"How are you, Randolph?" he said politely.

 

"Where are you going?" asked Randolph, not heeding the inquiry.

 

"To the schoolhouse, to sweep out."

 

"How long have you been janitor?" asked Randolph, abruptly.

 

"About a year," Luke answered, in surprise.

 

"That's a good while."

 

Luke was puzzled. Why should Randolph feel such an interest,

all at once, in his humble office?

 

"I suppose you know that my father is now on the school committee?"

Randolph continued.

 

"Yes; I heard so."

 

"He thinks of appointing Tim Flanagan janitor in your place."

 

Luke's face showed his surprise and concern. The loss of his modest

income would, as he knew, be severely felt by his mother and

himself. The worst of it was, there seemed no chance in Groveton

of making it up in any other way.

 

"Did your father tell you this?" he asked, after a pause.

 

"Yes; he just told me," answered Randolph, complacently.

 

"Why does he think of removing me? Are there any complaints of

the way I perform my duties?"

 

"Really, my good fellow," said Randolph, languidly, "I can't

enlighten you on that point. You've held the office a good while,

you know."

 

"You are very kind to tell me--this bad news," said Luke, pointedly.

 

"Oh, don't mention it. Good morning. Were you fatigued after your

violent exercise at Florence Grant's party?"

 

"No. Were you?"

 

"I didn't take any," said Randolph, haughtily. "I danced--I didn't

jump round."

 

"Thank you for the compliment. Is there anything more you wish to

say to me?"

 

"No."

 

"Then good morning."

 

When Luke was left alone he felt serious. How was he going to make

up the dollar a week of which he was to be deprived? The more he

considered the matter the further he was from thinking anything. He

was not quite sure whether the news was reliable, or merely invented

by Randolph to tease and annoy him. Upon this point, however, he was

soon made certain. The next day, as he was attending to his duties

in the schoolhouse, Tim Flanagan entered.

 

"Here's a note for you, Luke," he said.

 

Luke opened the note and found it brief but significant. It ran

thus:

 

"LUKE LARKIN: I have appointed the bearer, Timothy Flanagan, janitor

in your place. You will give him the key of the schoolhouse, and he

will at once assume your duties.

 

"PRINCE DUNCAN."

 

"Well, Tim," said Luke, calmly, "it appears that you are going

to take my place."

 

"Yes, Luke, but I don't care much about it. My mother went to the

squire and got me the job. The pay's a dollar a week, isn't it?"

 

"Yes."

 

"That isn't enough."

 

"It isn't very much, but there are not many ways of earning

money here in Groveton."

 

"What do you have to do?"

 

"Make the fire every morning and sweep out twice a week.

Then there's dusting, splitting up kindlings, and so on."

 

"I don't think I'll like it. I ain't good at makin' fires."

 

"Squire Duncan writes you are to begin at once."

 

"Shure, I'm afraid I won't succeed."

 

"I'll tell you what, Tim. I'll help you along till you've got

used to the duties. After a while they'll get easy for you."

 

"Will you now? You're a good feller, Luke. I thought you

would be mad at losin' the job."

 

"I am not mad, but I am sorry. I needed the money, but no

doubt you do, also. I have no grudge against you."

 

Luke had just started in his work. He explained to Tim how

to do it, and remained with him till it was done.

 

"I'll come again to-morrow, Tim," he said. "I will get you

well started, for I want to make it easy for you."

 

Tim was by no means a model boy, but he was warm-hearted,

and he was touched by Luke's generous treatment.

 

"I say, Luke," he exclaimed, "I don't want to take your job. Say

the word, and I'll tell mother and the squire I don't want it."

 

"No, Tim, it's your duty to help your mother. Take it and

do your best."

 

On his way home Luke chanced to meet the squire, walking in his

usual dignified manner toward the bank, of which he was president.

 

"Squire Duncan," he said, walking up to him in a manly way, "I

would like to speak a word to you."

 

"Say on, young man."

 

"Tim Flanagan handed me a note from you this morning

ordering me to turn over my duties as janitor to him."

 

"Very well?"

 

"I have done so, but I wish to ask you if I have been removed

on account of any complaints that my work was not well done?"

 

"I have heard no complaints," answered the squire. "I appointed

Timothy in your place because I approved of rotation in office.

It won't do any good for you to make a fuss about it."

 

"I don't intend to make a fuss, Squire Duncan," said Luke,

proudly. "I merely wished to know if there were any charges

against me."

 

"There are none."

 

"Then I am satisfied. Good morning, sir."

 

"Stay, young man. Is Timothy at the schoolhouse?"

 

"Yes, sir. I gave him some instruction about the work, and

promised to go over to-morrow to help him."

 

"Very well."

 

Squire Duncan was rather relieved to find that Luke did not propose

to make any fuss. His motive, as has already been stated, was a

political one. He wished to ingratiate himself with Irish voters

and obtain an election as representative; not that he cared so much

for this office, except as a stepping-stone to something higher.

 

Luke turned his steps homeward. He dreaded communicating the news

to his mother, for he knew that it would depress her, as it had

him. However, it must be known sooner or later, and he must not

shrink from telling her.

 

"Mother," he said, as he entered the room where she was sewing, "I

have lost my job as janitor."

 

"I expected you would, Luke," said his mother, soberly.

 

"Who told you?" asked Luke, in surprise.

 

"Melinda Sprague was here yesterday and told me Tim Flanagan

was to have it."

 

"Miss Sprague seems to know everything that is going on."

 

"Yes, she usually hears everything. Have you lost the place already?"

 

"Tim brought me a note this morning from Squire Duncan informing me

that I was removed and he was put in my place."

 

"It is going to be a serious loss to us, Luke," said Mrs. Larkin,

gravely.

 

"Yes, mother, but I am sure something will turn up in its place."

 

Luke spoke confidently, but it was a confidence he by no means felt.

 

"It is a sad thing to be so poor as we are," said Mrs. Larkin,

with a sigh.

 

"It is very inconvenient, mother, but we ought to be glad that we

have perfect health. I am young and strong, and I am sure I can

find some other way of earning a dollar a week."

 

"At any rate, we will hope so, Luke."

 

Luke went to bed early that night. The next morning, as they were

sitting at breakfast, Melinda Sprague rushed into the house and

sank into a chair, out of breath.

 

"Have you heard the news?"

 

"No. What is it?"

 

"The bank has been robbed! A box of United States bonds has been

taken, amounting to thirty or forty thousand dollars!"

 

Luke and his mother listened in amazement.

 

 

 

CHAPTER X

 

MELINDA MAKES MISCHIEF

 

 

"Where did you hear this, Melinda?" asked Mrs. Larkin.

 

"I called on Mrs. Duncan just now--I was doing some work for

her--and she told me. Isn't it awful?"

 

"Was the bank broken open last night, Miss Sprague?" asked Luke.

 

"I don't know when it was entered."

 

"I don't understand it at all," said Luke, looking puzzled.

 

"All I know is that, on examining the safe, the box of bonds

was missing."

 

"Then it might have been taken some time since?"

 

"Yes, it might."

 

The same thought came to Luke and his mother at once. Was the

mysterious stranger the thief, and had he robbed the bank and

transferred the tin box to Luke? It might be so, but, as this

happened more than a fortnight since, it would have been strange in

that case that the box had not been missed sooner at the bank. Luke

longed to have Miss Sprague go, that he might confer with his mother

on this subject. He had been told to keep the possession of the box

secret, and therefore he didn't wish to reveal the fact that he had

it unless it should prove to be necessary.

 

"Were any traces of the robber discovered?" he added.

 

"Not that I heard of; but I pity the thief, whoever he is,"

remarked Melinda. "When he's found out he will go to jail,

without any doubt."

 

"I can't understand, for my part, how an outside party could

open the safe," said Mrs. Larkin. "It seems very mysterious."

 

"There's many things we can't understand," said Melinda,

shaking her head sagely. "All crimes are mysterious."

 

"I hope they'll find out who took the bonds," said the widow.

"Did they belong to the bank?"

 

"No, they belonged to a gentleman in Cavendish, who kept them in

the bank, thinking they would be safer than in his own house. Little

did he know what iniquity there was even in quiet country places

like Groveton."

 

"Surely, Melinda, you don't think any one in Groveton robbed the

bank?" said Mrs. Larkin.

 

"There's no knowing!" said Miss Sprague, solemnly. "There's those

that we know well, or think we do, but we cannot read their hearts

and their secret ways."

 

"Have you any suspicions, Miss Sprague?" asked Luke, considerably

amused at the portentous solemnity of the visitor.

 

"I may and I may not, Luke," answered Melinda, with the air of one

who knew a great deal more than she chose to tell; "but it isn't

proper for me to speak at present."

 

Just then Miss Sprague saw some one passing who, she thought, had

not heard of the robbery, and, hastily excusing herself, she left

the house.

 

"What do you think, Luke?" asked his mother, after the spinster had

gone. "Do you think the box we have was taken from the bank?"

 

"No, I don't, mother. I did think it possible at first, but it

seems very foolish for the thief, if he was one, to leave the box

in the same village, in the charge of a boy. It would have been

more natural and sensible for him to open it, take out the bonds,

and throw it away or leave it in the woods."

 

"There is something in that," said Mrs. Larkin, thoughtfully. "There

is certainly a mystery about our box, but I can't think it was

stolen from the bank."

 

Meanwhile, Miss Sprague had formed an important resolve. The more

she thought of it, the more she believed the missing box was the one

of which she had caught a glimpse of in Mrs. Larkin's trunk. True,

Luke and the widow had not betrayed that confusion and embarrassment

which might have been anticipated when the theft was announced, but

she had noticed the look exchanged between them, and she was sure it

meant something. Above all, her curiosity was aroused to learn how

it happened that a woman as poor as the Widow Larkin should have a

tin box in her trunk, the contents of which might be presumed to be

valuable.

 

"I don't like to get Luke and his mother into trouble," Melinda said

to herself, "but I think it my duty to tell all I know. At any rate,

they will have to tell how the box came into their possession, and

what it contains. I'll go to the bank and speak to Squire Duncan."

 

Prince Duncan had called an extra meeting of the directors to

consider the loss which had been discovered, and they were now

seated in the bank parlor. There were three of them present, all

of whom resided in Groveton--Mr. Manning, the hotelkeeper; Mr.

Bailey, a storekeeper, and Mr. Beane, the Groveton lawyer.

 

Miss Sprague entered the bank and went up to the little window

presided over by the paying-teller.

 

"Is Squire Duncan in the bank?" she asked.

 

"Yes, Miss Sprague."

 

"I would like to speak with him."

 

"That is impossible. He is presiding at a directors' meeting."

 

"Still, I would like to see him," persisted Melinda.

 

"You will have to wait," said the paying-teller, coldly. He had no

particular respect or regard for Miss Sprague, being quite familiar

with her general reputation as a gossip and busybody.

 

"I think he would like to see me," said Melinda, nodding her head

with mysterious significance. "There has been a robbery at the bank,

hasn't there?"

 

"Do you know anything about it, Miss Sprague?" demanded the teller,

in surprise.

 

"Maybe I do, and maybe I don't; but I've got a secret to tell to

Squire Duncan."

 

"I don't believe it amounts to anything," thought the teller. "Well,

I will speak to Squire Duncan," he said aloud.

 

He went to the door of the directors' room, and after a brief

conference with Prince Duncan he returned with the message, "You

may go in, Miss Sprague."

 

She nodded triumphantly, and with an air of conscious importance

walked to the bank parlor.

 

Prince Duncan and his associates were sitting round a mahogany table.

 

Melinda made a formal curtsy and stood facing them.

 

"I understand, Miss Sprague, that you have something to communicate

to us in reference to the loss the bank has just sustained," said

the squire, clearing his throat.

 

"I thought it my duty to come and tell you all I knew, Squire Duncan

and gentlemen," said Melinda.

 

"Quite right, Miss Sprague. Now, what can you tell us?"

 

"The article lost was a tin box, was it not?"

 

"Yes."

 

"About so long?" continued Miss Sprague, indicating a length of

about fifteen inches.

 

"Yes."

 

"What was there in it?"

 

"Government bonds."

 

"I know where there is such a box," said Miss Sprague, slowly.

 

"Where? Please be expeditious, Miss Sprague."

 

"A few days since I was calling on Mrs. Larkin--Luke's mother--just

happened in, as I may say, and, not finding her downstairs, went up

into her chamber. I don't think she heard me, for when I entered the

chamber and spoke to her she seemed quite flustered. She was on her

knees before an open trunk, and in that trunk I saw the tin box."

 

The directors looked at each other in surprise, and Squire Duncan

looked undeniably puzzled.

 

"I knew the box was one such as is used to hold valuable papers and

bonds," proceeded Melinda, "and, as I had always looked on the widow

as very poor, I didn't know what to make of it."

 

"Did you question Mrs. Larkin about the tin box?" asked Mr. Beane.

 

"No; she shut the trunk at once, and I concluded she didn't want

me to see it."

 

"Then you did not say anything about it?"

 

"No; but I went in just now to tell her about the bank being robbed."

 

"How did it seem to affect her?" asked Mr. Bailey.

 

"She and Luke--Luke was there, too--looked at each other in dismay.

It was evident that they were thinking of the box in the trunk."

 

Melinda continued her story, and the directors were somewhat impressed.

 

"I propose," said Mr. Manning, "that we get out a search-warrant and

search Mrs. Larkin's cottage. That box may be the one missing from

the bank."

 

 

 

CHAPTER XI

 

LUKE IS ARRESTED

 

 

Just after twelve o'clock, when Luke was at home eating dinner, a

knock was heard at the front door.

 

"I'll go, mother," said Luke, and he rose from the table, and, going

into the entry, opened the outer door.

 

His surprise may be imagined when he confronted Squire Duncan and

the gentlemen already mentioned as directors of the Groveton bank.

 

"Did you wish to see mother?" he asked.

 

"Yes; we have come on important business," said Squire Duncan,

pompously.

 

"Walk in, if you please."

 

Luke led the way into the little sitting-room, followed by the

visitors. The dinner-table was spread in the kitchen adjoining.

The room looked very much filled up with the unwonted company,

all being large men.

 

"Mother," called Luke, "here are some gentlemen who wish to

see you."

 

The widow entered the room, and looked with surprise from one to

another. All waited for Squire Duncan, as the proper person, from

his official position, to introduce the subject of their visit.

 

"Mrs. Larkin," said the squire, pompously, "it has possibly come

to your ears that the Groveton Bank, of which you are aware that I

am the president, has been robbed of a box of bonds?"

 

"Yes, sir. I was so informed by Miss Melinda Sprague this morning."

 

"I am also informed that you have in your custody a tin box similar

to the one that has been taken."

 

He expected to see Mrs. Larkin show signs of confusion, but she

answered calmly: "I have a box in my custody, but whether it

resembles the one lost I can't say."

 

"Ha! you admit that you hold such a box?" said the squire, looking

significantly at his companions.

 

"Certainly. Why should I not?"

 

"Are you willing to show it to us?"

 

"Yes, we are willing to show it," said Luke, taking it upon himself

to answer, "but I have no idea that it will do you any good."

 

"That is for us to decide, young man," said Squire Duncan.

 

"Do you suppose it is the box missing from the bank, sir?"

 

"It may be."

 

"When did you miss the box?"

 

"Only this morning, but it may have been taken a month ago."

 

"This box has been in our possession for a fortnight."

 

"Such is your statement, Luke."

 

"It is the truth," said Luke, flushing with indignation.

 

"My boy," said Mr. Beane, "don't be angry. I, for one, have no

suspicion that you have done anything wrong, but it is our duty

to inquire into this matter."

 

"Who told you that we had such a box, Mr. Beane?"

 

"Miss Melinda Sprague was the informant."

 

"I thought so, mother," said Luke. "She is a prying old maid, and

it is just like her."

 

"Miss Sprague only did her duty," said the squire. "But we are

losing time. We require you to produce the box."

 

"I will get it, gentlemen," said the widow, calmly.

 

While she was upstairs, Mr. Manning inquired: "Where did you get

the box, Luke?"

 

"If you identify it as the box taken from the bank," answered Luke,

"I will tell you. Otherwise I should prefer to say nothing, for it

is a secret of another person."

 

"Matters look very suspicious, in my opinion, gentlemen," said

Squire Duncan, turning to his associates.

 

"Not necessarily," said Mr. Beane, who seemed inclined to favor

our hero. "Luke may have a good reason for holding his tongue."

 

Here Mrs. Larkin presented herself with the missing box. Instantly

it became an object of attention.

 

"It looks like the missing box," said the squire.

 

"Of course, I can offer no opinion," said Mr. Beane, "not having

seen the one lost. Such boxes, however, have a general resemblance

to each other."

 

"Have you the key that opens it?" asked the squire.

 

"No, sir."

 

"Squire Duncan," asked Mr. Beane, "have you the key unlocking

the missing box?"

 

"No, sir," answered Squire Duncan, after a slight pause.

 

"Then I don't think we can decide as to the identity of the

two boxes."

 

The trustees looked at each other in a state of indecision. No one

knew what ought to be done.

 

"What course do you think we ought to take, Squire Duncan?"

asked Mr. Bailey.

 

"I think," said the bank president, straightening up, "that there

is sufficient evidence to justify the arrest of this boy Luke."

 

"I have done nothing wrong, sir," said Luke, indignantly. "I am no

more of a thief than you are."

 

"Do you mean to insult me, you young jackanapes?" demanded Mr.

Duncan, with an angry flush on his face.

 

"I intend to insult no one, but I claim that I have done nothing

wrong."

 

"That is what all criminals say," sneered the squire.

 

Luke was about to make an angry reply, but Mr. Beane, waving his

hand as a signal for our hero to be quiet, remarked calmly: "I

think, Duncan, in justice to Luke, we ought to hear his story as

to how the box came into his possession."

 

"That is my opinion," said Mr. Bailey. "I don't believe Luke

is a bad boy."

 

Prince Duncan felt obliged to listen to that suggestion, Mr.

Bailey and Mr. Beane being men of consideration in the village.

 

"Young man," he said, "we are ready to hear your story. From whom

did you receive this box?"

 

"From a man named Roland Reed," answered Luke.

 

The four visitors looked at each other in surprise.

 

"And who is Roland Reed?" asked the president of the bank. "It seems

very much like a fictitious name."

 

"It may be, for aught I know," said Luke, "but it is the name given

me by the person who gave me the box to keep for him."

 

"State the circumstances," said Mr. Beane.

 

"About two weeks since I was returning from the house of Miss Almira

Clark, where I had gone on an errand for my mother. To shorten

my journey, I took my way through the woods. I had nearly passed

through to the other side, when a tall man, dark-complexioned, whom

I had never seen before stepped up to me. He asked me my name, and,

upon my telling him, asked if I would do him a favor. This was to

take charge of a tin box, which he carried under his arm."

 

"The one before us?" asked Mr. Manning.

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Did he give any reason for making this request?"

 

"He said he was about to leave the neighborhood, and wished it taken

care of. He asked me to put it under lock and key."

 

"Did he state why he selected you for this trust?" asked Mr. Beane.

 

"No, sir; he paid me for my trouble, however. He gave me a

bank-note, which, when I reached home, I found to be a ten-dollar

bill."

 

"And you haven't seen him since?"

 

"Once only."

 

"When was that?"

 

"On the evening of Florence Grant's party. On my way home the same

man came up to me and asked if the box was safe. I answered, 'Yes.'

He said, 'That is all--for the present,' and disappeared. I have not

seen him since."

 

"That is a very pretty romance," said Prince Duncan, with a sneer.

 

"I can confirm it," said Mrs. Larkin, calmly. "I saw Luke bring in

the box, and at his request I took charge of it. The story he told

at that time is the same that he tells now."

 

"Very possibly," said the bank president. "It was all cut

and dried."

 

"You seem very much prejudiced against Luke," said Mrs. Larkin,

indignantly.

 

"By no means, Mrs. Larkin. I judge him and his story from the

standpoint of common sense. Gentlemen, I presume this story makes

the same impression on you as on me?"

 

Mr. Beane shook his head. "It may be true; it is not impossible,"

he said.

 

"You believe, then, there is such a man as Roland Reed?"

 

"There may be a man who calls himself such."

 

"If there is such a man, he is a thief."

 

"It may be so, but that does not necessarily implicate Luke."

 

"He would be a receiver of stolen property."

 

"Not knowing it to be such."

 

"At all events, I feel amply justified in causing the arrest

of Luke Larkin on his own statement."

 

"Surely you don't mean this?" exclaimed Mrs. Larkin, in dismay.

 

"Don't be alarmed, mother," said Luke, calmly. "I am innocent

of wrong, and no harm will befall me."

 

 

 

CHAPTER XII

 

LUKE AS A PRISONER

 

 

Prince Duncan, who was a magistrate, directed the arrest of Luke

on a charge of robbing the Groveton Bank. The constable who was

called upon to make the arrest performed the duty unwillingly.

 

"I don't believe a word of it, Luke," he said. "It's perfect

nonsense to say you have robbed the bank. I'd as soon believe

myself guilty."

 

Luke was not taken to the lock-up, but was put in the personal

custody of Constable Perkins, who undertook to be responsible for

his appearance at the trial.

 

"You mustn't run away, or you'll get me into trouble, Luke," said

the good-natured constable.

 

"It's the last thing I'd be willing to do, Mr. Perkins," said

Luke, promptly. "Then everybody would decide that I was guilty.

I am innocent, and want a chance to prove it."

 

What was to be done with the tin box, was the next question.

 

"I will take it over to my house," said Squire Duncan.

 

"I object," said Mr. Beane.

 

"Do you doubt my integrity?" demanded the bank president, angrily.

 

"No; but it is obviously improper that any one of us should take

charge of the box before it has been opened and its contents

examined. We are not even certain that it is the one missing from

the bank."

 

As Mr. Beane was a lawyer, Prince Duncan, though unwillingly, was

obliged to yield. The box, therefore, was taken to the bank and

locked up in the safe till wanted.

 

It is hardly necessary to say that the events at the cottage of Mrs.

Larkin, and Luke's arrest, made a great sensation in the village.

The charge that Luke had robbed the bank was received not only with

surprise, but with incredulity. The boy was so well and so favorably

known in Groveton that few could be found to credit the charge.

There were exceptions, however. Melinda Sprague enjoyed the sudden

celebrity she had achieved as the original discoverer of the thief

who had plundered the bank. She was inclined to believe that Luke

was guilty, because it enhanced her own importance.

 

"Most people call Luke a good boy," she said, "but there was always

something about him that made me suspicious. There was something in

his expression--I can't tell you what--that set me to thinkin' all

wasn't right. Appearances are deceitful, as our old minister used

to say."

 

"They certainly are, if Luke is a bad boy and a thief," retorted the

other, indignantly. "You might be in better business, Melinda, than

trying to take away the character of a boy like Luke."

 

"I only did my duty," answered Melinda, with an air of superior

virtue. "I had no right to keep secret what I knew about the

robbery."

 

"You always claimed to be a friend of the Larkins. Only last week

you took tea there."

 

"That's true. I am a friend now, but I can't consent to cover up

inquiry. Do you know whether the bank has offered any reward for

the detection of the thief?"

 

"No," said the other, shortly, with a look of contempt at the eager

spinster. "Even if it did, and poor Luke were found guilty, it would

be blood-money that no decent person would accept."

 

"Really, Mrs. Clark, you have singular ideas," said the discomfited

Melinda. "I ain't after no money. I only mean to do my duty, but if

the bank should recognize the value of my services, it would be only

right and proper."

 

There was another who heard with great satisfaction of Luke's

arrest. This was Randolph Duncan. As it happened, he was late in

learning that his rival had got into trouble, not having seen his

father since breakfast.

 

"This is great news about Luke," said his friend Sam Noble, meeting

him on the street.

 

"What news? I have heard nothing," said Randolph, eagerly.

 

"He has been arrested."

 

"You don't say so!" exclaimed Randolph. "What has he done?"

 

"Robbed the bank of a tin box full of bonds. It was worth an awful

lot of money."

 

"Well, well!" ejaculated Randolph. "I always thought he was a boy

of no principle."

 

"The tin box was found in his mother's trunk."

 

"What did Luke say? Did he own up?"

 

"No; he brazened it out. He said the box was given him to take

care of by some mysterious stranger."

 

"That's too thin. How was it traced to Luke?"

 

"It seems Old Maid Sprague"--it was lucky for Melinda's peace of

mind that she did not hear this contemptuous reference to her--"went

to the Widow Larkin's house one day and saw the tin box in her trunk."

 

"She didn't leave the trunk open, did she?"

 

"No; but she had it open, looking into it, when old Melinda crept

upstairs softly and caught her at it."

 

"I suppose Luke will have to go to State's prison," said Randolph,

with a gratified smile.

 

"I hope it won't be quite so bad as that," said Sam, who was not

equal in malice to his aristocratic friend.

 

"I haven't any pity for him," said Randolph, decidedly. "If he

chooses to steal, he must expect to be punished."

 

Just then Mr. Hooper, the grammar-school teacher, came up.

 

"Mr. Hooper," said Randolph, eagerly, "have you heard

about Luke?"

 

"I have heard that he has been removed from his janitorship, and

I'm sorry for it."

 

"If he goes to jail he wouldn't be able to be janitor," said

Randolph.

 

"Goes to jail! What do you mean?" demanded the teacher, sharply.

 

Hereupon Randolph told the story, aided and assisted by Sam Noble,

to whom he referred as his authority.

 

"This is too ridiculous!" said Mr. Hooper, contemptuously. "Luke

is no thief, and if he had the tin box he has given the right

explanation of how he came by it."

 

"I know he is a favorite of yours, Mr. Hooper, but that won't save

him from going to jail," said Randolph, tartly.

 

"If he is a favorite of mine," said the teacher, with dignity,

"it is for a very good reason. I have always found him to be a

high-minded, honorable boy, and I still believe him to be so, in

spite of the grave accusation that has been brought against him."

 

There was something in the teacher's manner that deterred Randolph

from continuing his malicious attack upon Luke. Mr. Hooper lost no

time in inquiring into the facts of the case, and then in seeking

out Luke, whom he found in the constable's house.

 

"Luke," he said, extending his hand, "I have heard that you were

in trouble, and I have come to see what I can do for you."

 

"You are very kind, Mr. Hooper," said Luke, gratefully. "I hope

you don't believe me guilty."

 

"I would as soon believe myself guilty of the charge, Luke."

 

"That's just what I said, Mr. Hooper," said Constable Perkins.

"Just as if there wasn't more than one tin box in the world."

 

"You never told any one that you had a tin box in your custody,

I suppose, Luke?"

 

"No, sir; the man who asked me to take care of it especially

cautioned me to say nothing about it."

 

"What was his name?"

 

"Roland Reed."

 

"Do you know where to find him? It would be of service to you if

you could obtain his evidence. It would clear you at once."

 

"I wish I could, sir, but I have no idea where to look for him."

 

"That is unfortunate," said the teacher, knitting his brows in

perplexity. "When are you to be brought to trial?"

 

"To-morrow, I hear."

 

"Well, Luke, keep up a good heart and hope for the best."

 

"I mean to, sir."

 

 

 

CHAPTER XIII

 

IN THE COURT-ROOM

 

 

It was decided that Luke should remain until his trial in the

personal custody of Constable Perkins. Except for the name of it,

his imprisonment was not very irksome, for the Perkins family

treated him as an honored guest, and Mrs. Perkins prepared a nicer

supper than usual. When Mr. Perkins went out he said to his wife,

with a quizzical smile: "I leave Luke in your charge. Don't let

him run away."

 

"I'll look out for that," said Mrs. Perkins, smiling.

 

"Perhaps I had better leave you a pistol, my dear?"

 

"I am afraid I should not know how to use it."

 

"You might tie my hands," suggested Luke.

 

"That wouldn't prevent your walking away."

 

"Then my feet."

 

"It won't be necessary, husband," said Mrs. Perkins. "I've got

the poker and tongs ready."

 

But, though treated in this jesting manner, Luke could not help

feeling a little anxious. For aught he knew, the tin box taken from

his mother's trunk might be the same which had been stolen from the

bank. In that case Roland Reed was not likely to appear again, and

his story would be disbelieved. It was a strange one, he could

not help admitting to himself. Yet he could not believe that the

mysterious stranger was a burglar. If he were, it seemed very

improbable that he would have left his booty within half a mile of

the bank, in the very village where the theft had been committed.

It was all very queer, and he could not see into the mystery.

 

"I should like to do something," thought Luke. "It's dull work

sitting here with folded hands."

 

"Isn't there something I can do, Mrs. Perkins?" he said. "I am not

used to sitting about the house idle."

 

"Well, you might make me some pies," said Mrs. Perkins.

 

"You'd never eat them if I did. I can boil eggs and fry potatoes.

Isn't there some wood to saw and split?"

 

"Plenty out in the shed."

 

"I understand that, at any rate. Have you any objection to my

setting to work?"

 

"No, if you won't run away."

 

"Send out Charlie to watch me."

 

Charlie was a youngster about four years of age, and very fond of

Luke, who was a favorite with most young children.

 

"Yes, that will do. Charlie, go into the shed and see Luke

saw wood."

 

"Yes, mama."

 

"Don't let him run away."

 

"No, I won't," said Charlie, gravely.

 

Luke felt happier when he was fairly at work. It took his mind off

his troubles, as work generally does, and he spent a couple of hours

in the shed. Then Mrs. Perkins came to the door and called him.

 

"Luke," she said, "a young lady has called to see the prisoner."

 

"A young lady! Who is it?"

 

"Florence Grant."

 

Luke's face brightened up with pleasure; he put on his coat and went

into the house.

 

"Oh, Luke, what a shame!" exclaimed Florence, hastening to him with

extended hand. "I only just heard of it."

 

"Then you're not afraid to shake hands with a bank burglar?"

said Luke.

 

"No, indeed! What nonsense it is! Who do you think told me of

your arrest?"

 

"Randolph Duncan."

 

"You have guessed it."

 

"What did he say? Did he seem to be shocked at my iniquity?"

 

"I think he seemed glad of it. Of course, he believes you guilty."

 

"I supposed he would, or pretend to, at any rate. I think his father

is interested to make me out guilty. I hope you don't think there is

any chance of it?"

 

"Of course not, Luke. I know you too well. I'd sooner suspect

Randolph. He wanted to know what I thought of you now."

 

"And what did you answer?"

 

"That I thought the same as I always had--that you were one of the

best boys in the village. 'I admire your taste,' said Randolph,

with a sneer. Then I gave him a piece of my mind."

 

"I should like to have heard you, Florence."

 

"I don't know; you have no idea what a virago I am when I am mad.

Now sit down and tell me all about it."

 

Luke obeyed, and the conversation was a long one, and seemed

interesting to both. In the midst of it Linton Tomkins came in.

 

"Have you come to see the prisoner, also, Linton?" asked Florence.

 

"Yes, Florence. What a desperate-looking ruffian he is! I don't dare

to come too near. How did you break into the bank, Luke?"

 

First Luke smiled, then he became grave. "After all, it is no joke

to me, Linny," he said. "Think of the disgrace of being arrested

on such a charge."

 

"The disgrace is in being a burglar, not in being arrested for one,

Luke. Of course, it's absurd. Father wants me to say that if you are

bound over for trial he will go bail for you to any amount."

 

"Your father is very kind, Linny. I may need to avail myself of his

kindness."

 

The next day came, and at ten o'clock, Luke, accompanied by

Constable Perkins, entered the room in which Squire Duncan sat as

trial justice. A considerable number of persons were gathered, for

it was a trial in which the whole village was interested. Among

them was Mrs. Larkin, who wore an anxious, perturbed look.

 

"Oh, Luke," she said sorrowfully, "how terrible it is to have you

here!"

 

"Don't be troubled, mother," said Luke. "We both know that I am

innocent, and I rely on God to stand by me."

 

"Luke," said Mr. Beane, "though I am a bank trustee, I am

your friend and believe you innocent. I will act as your lawyer."

 

"Thank you, Mr. Beane. I shall be very glad to accept your services."

 

The preliminary proceedings were of a formal character. Then Miss

Melinda Sprague was summoned to testify. She professed to be very

unwilling to say anything likely to injure her good friends, Luke

and his mother, but managed to tell, quite dramatically, how she

first caught a glimpse of the tin box.

 

"Did Mrs. Larkin know that you saw it?" asked the squire.

 

"She didn't know for certain," answered Melinda, "but she was

evidently afraid I would, for she shut the trunk in a hurry, and

seemed very much confused. I thought of this directly when I heard

of the bank robbery, and I went over to tell Luke and his mother."

 

"How did they receive your communication?"

 

"They seemed very much frightened."

 

"And you inferred that they had not come honestly by the tin box?"

 

"It grieves me to say that I did," said Melinda, putting her

handkerchief to her eyes to brush away an imaginary tear.

 

Finally Melinda sat down, and witnesses were called to testify to

Luke's good character. There were more who wished to be sworn

than there was time to hear. Mr. Beane called only Mr. Hooper, Mr.

Tomkins and Luke's Sunday-school teacher. Then he called Luke to

testify in his own defense.

 

Luke told a straightforward story--the same that he had told

before--replying readily and easily to any questions that were

asked him.

 

"I submit, Squire Duncan," said Mr. Beane, "that my client's

statement is plain and frank and explains everything. I hold that it

exonerates him from all suspicion of complicity with the robbery."

 

"I differ with you," said Squire Duncan, acidly. "It is a wild,

improbable tale, that does not even do credit to the prisoner's

invention. In my opinion, this mysterious stranger has no existence.

Is there any one besides himself who has seen this Roland Reed?"

 

At this moment there was a little confusion at the door. A tall,

dark-complexioned stranger pushed his way into the court-room. He

advanced quickly to the front.

 

"I heard my name called," he said. "There is no occasion to doubt

my existence. I am Roland Reed!"

 

 

 

CHAPTER XIV

 

AN IMPORTANT WITNESS

 

 

The effect of Roland Reed's sudden appearance in the court-room,

close upon the doubt expressed as to his existence, was electric.

Every head was turned, and every one present looked with eager

curiosity at the mysterious stranger. They saw a dark-complexioned,

slender, but wiry man, above the middle height, with a pair of keen

black eyes scanning, not without sarcastic amusement, the faces

turned toward him.

 

Luke recognized him at once.

 

"Thank God!" he ejaculated, with a feeling of intense relief.

"Now my innocence will be made known."

 

Squire Duncan was quite taken aback. His face betrayed his

surprise and disappointment.

 

"I don't know you," he said, after a pause.

 

"Perhaps not, Mr. Duncan," answered the stranger, in a significant

tone, "but I know you."

 

"Were you the man who gave this tin box to the defendant?"

 

"Wouldn't it be well, since this is a court, to swear me as a

witness?" asked Roland Reed, quietly.

 

"Of course, of course," said the squire, rather annoyed to be

reminded of his duty by this stranger.

 

This being done, Mr. Beane questioned the witness in the interest

of his client.

 

"Do you know anything about the tin box found in the possession

of Luke Larkin?" he asked.

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Did you commit it to his charge for safe-keeping?"

 

"I did."

 

"Were you previously acquainted with Luke?"

 

"I was not."

 

"Was it not rather a singular proceeding to commit what is

presumably of considerable value to an unknown boy?"

 

"It would generally be considered so, but I do many strange things.

I had seen the boy by daylight, though he had never seen me, and I

was sure I could trust him."

 

"Why, if you desired a place of safe-keeping for your box, did you

not select the bank vaults?"

 

Roland Reed laughed, and glanced at the presiding justice.

 

"It might have been stolen," he said.

 

"Does the box contain documents of value?"

 

"The contents are valuable to me, at any rate."

 

"Mr. Beane," said Squire Duncan, irritably, "I think you are

treating the witness too indulgently. I believe this box to be

the one taken from the bank."

 

"You heard the remark of the justice," said the lawyer. "Is this the

box taken from the bank?"

 

"It is not," answered the witness, contemptuously, "and no one knows

this better than Mr. Duncan."

 

The justice flushed angrily.

 

"You are impertinent, witness," he said. "It is all very well to

claim this box as yours, but I shall require you to prove ownership."

 

"I am ready to do so," said Roland Reed, quietly. "Is that the box

on the table?"

 

"It is."

 

"Has it been opened?"

 

"No; the key has disappeared from the bank."

 

"The key is in the hands of the owner, where it properly belongs.

With the permission of the court, I will open the box."

 

"I object," said Squire Duncan, quickly.

 

"Permit me to say that your refusal is extraordinary," said Mr.

Beane, pointedly. "You ask the witness to prove property, and

then decline to allow him to do so."

 

Squire Duncan, who saw that he had been betrayed into a piece of

folly, said sullenly: "I don't agree with you, Mr. Beane, but I

withdraw my objection. The witness may come forward and open the

box, if he can."

 

Roland Reed bowed slightly, advanced to the table, took a bunch of

keys from his pocket, and inserting one of the smallest in the lock

easily opened the box.

 

Those who were near enough, including the justice, craned their

necks forward to look into the box.

 

The box contained papers, certificates of stock, apparently, and

a couple of bank-books.

 

"The box missing from the vault contained government bonds,

as I understand, Squire Duncan?" said the lawyer.

 

"Yes," answered the justice, reluctantly.

 

"Are there any government bonds in the box, Mr. Reed."

 

"You can see for yourself, sir."

 

The manner of the witness toward the lawyer was courteous,

though in the tone in which he addressed the court there had

been a scarcely veiled contempt.

 

"I submit, then, that my young client has been guilty of no wrong.

He accepted the custody of the box from the rightful owner, and

this he had a clear right to do."

 

"How do you know that the witness is the rightful owner of the box?"

demanded the justice, in a cross tone. "He may have stolen it from

some other quarter."

 

"There is not a shadow of evidence of this," said the lawyer,

in a tone of rebuke.

 

"I am not sure but that he ought to be held."

 

"You will hold me at your peril, Mr. Duncan," said the witness, in

clear, resolute tones. "I have a clear comprehension of my rights,

and I do not propose to have them infringed."

 

Squire Duncan bit his lips. He had only a smattering of law, but

he knew that the witness was right, and that he had been betrayed

by temper into making a discreditable exhibition of himself.

 

"I demand that you treat me with proper respect," he said angrily.

 

"I am ready to do that," answered the witness, in a tone whose

meaning more than one understood. It was not an apology calculated

to soothe the ruffled pride of the justice.

 

"I call for the discharge of my young client, Squire Duncan,"

said the lawyer. "The case against him, as I hardly need say, has

utterly failed."

 

"He is discharged," said the justice, unwillingly.

 

Instantly Luke's friends surrounded him and began to shower

congratulations upon him. Among them was Roland Reed.

 

"My young friend," he said, "I am sincerely sorry that by any act

of mine I have brought anxiety and trouble upon you. But I can't

understand how the fact that you had the box in your possession

became known."

 

This was explained to him.

 

"I have a proposal to make to you and your mother," said Roland

Reed, "and with your permission I will accompany you home."

 

"We shall be glad to have you, sir," said Mrs. Larkin, cordially.

 

As they were making their way out of the court-room, Melinda

Sprague, the cause of Luke's trouble, hurried to meet them. She

saw by this time that she had made a great mistake, and that her

course was likely to make her generally unpopular. She hoped to

make it up with the Larkins.

 

"I am so glad you are acquitted, Luke," she began effusively. "I

hope, Mrs. Larkin, you won't take offense at what I did. I did what

I thought to be my duty, though with a bleeding heart. No one is

more rejoiced at dear Luke's vindication."

 

"Miss Sprague," said she, "if you think you did your duty, let the

consciousness of that sustain you. I do not care to receive any

visits from you hereafter."

 

"How cruel and unfeeling you are, Mrs. Larkin," said the spinster,

putting her handkerchief to her eyes.

 

Mrs. Larkin did not reply.

 

Miss Sprague found herself so coldly treated in the village that

she shortly left Groveton on a prolonged visit to some relatives in

a neighboring town. It is to be feared that the consciousness of

having done her duty did not wholly console her. What she regretted

most, however, was the loss of the reward which she had hoped to

receive from the bank.

 

 

 

CHAPTER XV

 

THE LARKINS ARE IN LUCK

 

 

Luke and his mother, accompanied by Roland Reed, took their way from

the court-room to the widow's modest cottage.

 

"You may take the tin box, Luke," said the stranger, "if you are not

afraid to keep in your charge what has given you so much trouble."

 

"All's well that ends well!" said Luke.

 

"Yes; I don't think it will occasion you any further anxiety."

 

Roland Reed walked in advance with Mrs. Larkin, leaving Luke

to follow.

 

"What sort of a man is this Mr. Duncan?" he asked abruptly.

 

"Squire Duncan?"

 

"Yes, if that is his title."

 

"He is, upon the whole, our foremost citizen," answered the

widow, after a slight hesitation.

 

"Is he popular?"

 

"I can hardly say that."

 

"He is president of the bank, is he not?"

 

"Yes."

 

"How long has he lived in Groveton?"

 

"Nearly twenty years."

 

"Was he born in this neighborhood?"

 

"I think he came from the West."

 

"Does he say from what part of the western country?"

 

"He says very little about his past life."

 

Roland Reed smiled significantly.

 

"Perhaps he has his reasons," he said meditatively.

 

"Is he thought to be rich?" he asked, after a pause.

 

"Yes, but how rich no one knows. He is taxed for his house and

grounds, but he may have a good deal of property besides. It is

generally thought he has."

 

"He does not appear to be friendly toward your son."

 

"No," answered Mrs. Larkin, with a trace of indignation, "though

I am sure he has no cause to dislike him. He seemed convinced

that Luke had come by your tin box dishonestly."

 

"It seemed to me that he was prejudiced against Luke. How do you

account for it?"

 

"Perhaps his son, Randolph, has influenced him."

 

"So he has a son--how old?"

 

"Almost Luke's age. He thinks Luke beneath him, though why he should

do so, except that Luke is poor, I can't understand. Not long since

there was a skating match for a prize of a Waterbury watch, offered

by the grammar-school teacher, which Luke would have won had not

Randolph arranged with another boy to get in his way and leave the

victory to him."

 

"So Randolph won the watch?"

 

"Yes."

 

"I suppose he had a watch of his own already."

 

"Yes, a silver one, while Luke had none. This makes it meaner

in him."

 

"I don't mind it now, mother," said Luke, who had overheard the last

part of the conversation. "He is welcome to his watches--I can wait."

 

"Has Squire Duncan shown his hostility to Luke in any other way?"

inquired the stranger.

 

"Yes; Luke has for over a year been janitor at the school-house.

It didn't bring much--only a dollar a week--but it was considerable

to us. Lately Squire Duncan was appointed on the school committee

to fill a vacancy, and his first act was to remove Luke from his

position."

 

"Not in favor of his son, I conclude."

 

Luke laughed.

 

"Randolph would be shocked at the mere supposition," he said. "He is

a young man who wears kid gloves, and the duties of a school janitor

he would look upon as degrading."

 

"I really think, Luke, you have been badly treated," said Roland

Reed, with a friendly smile.

 

"I have thought so, too, sir, but I suppose I have no better claim

to the office than any other boy."

 

"You needed the income, however."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

By this time they were at the door of the cottage.

 

"Won't you come in, sir?" asked Mrs. Larkin, cordially.

 

"Thank you. I will not only do so, but as I don't care to stay at

the hotel, I will even crave leave to pass the night under your

roof."

 

"If you don't mind our poor accommodations, you will be

very welcome."

 

"I am not likely to complain, Mrs. Larkin. I have not been nursed

in the lap of luxury. For two years I was a California miner, and

camped out. For that long period I did not know what it was to sleep

in a bed. I used to stretch myself in a blanket, and lie down on the

ground."

 

"You won't have to do that here, Mr. Reed," said Luke, smiling.

"But it must have been great fun."

 

"How can you say so, Luke?" expostulated his mother. "It must

have been very uncomfortable, and dangerous to the health."

 

"I wouldn't mind it a bit, mother," said Luke, stoutly.

 

Roland Reed smiled.

 

"I am not surprised that you and your mother regard the matter from

different points of view," he said. "It is only natural. Women are

not adapted to roughing it. Boys like nothing better, and so with

young men. But there comes a time--when a man passes forty--when he

sets a higher value on the comforts of life. I don't mind confessing

that I wouldn't care to repeat my old mining experiences."

 

"I hope you were repaid for your trouble and privations, sir."

 

"Yes, I was handsomely repaid. I may soon be as rich as your local

magnate, Prince Duncan, but I have had to work harder for it,

probably."

 

"So you know the squire's name?" said Mrs. Larkin, in some surprise.

 

"I must have heard it somewhere," remarked Roland Reed.

"Have I got it right?"

 

"Yes; it's a peculiar name."

 

When they reached the cottage Mrs. Larkin set about getting supper.

In honor of her guest she sent out for some steak, and baked some

biscuit, so that the table presented an inviting appearance when

the three sat down to it. After supper was over, Roland Reed said:

"I told you that I wished to speak to you on business, Mrs. Larkin.

It is briefly this: Are you willing to receive a boarder?"

 

"I am afraid, sir, that you would hardly be satisfied with our

humble accommodations."

 

"Oh, I am not speaking of myself, but of a child. I am a widower,

Mrs. Larkin, and have a little daughter eight years of age. She is

now boarding in New York, but I do not like the people with whom

I have placed her. She is rather delicate, also, and I think a

country town would suit her better than the city air. I should like

to have her under just such nice motherly care as I am sure you

would give her."

 

"I shall be very glad to receive her," said Mrs. Larkin, with

a flush of pleasure.

 

"And for the terms?"

 

"I would rather you would name them, sir."

 

"Then I will say ten dollars a week."

 

"Ten dollars!" exclaimed the widow, in amazement. "It won't be

worth half that."

 

"I don't pay for board merely, but for care and attendance as well.

She may be sick, and that would increase your trouble."

 

"She would in that case receive as much care as if she were my

own daughter; but I don't ask such an exorbitant rate of board."

 

"It isn't exorbitant if I choose to pay it, Mrs. Larkin," said

Mr. Reed, smiling. "I am entirely able to pay that price, and

prefer to do so."

 

"It will make me feel quite rich, sir," said the widow, gratefully.

"I shall find it useful, especially as Luke has lost his situation."

 

"Luke may find another position."

 

"When do you wish your daughter to come?" asked Mrs. Larkin.

 

"Luke will accompany me to the city to-morrow, and bring her

back with him. By the way, I will pay you four weeks in advance."

 

He drew four ten-dollar bills from his pocket and put them

into the widow's hand.

 

"I am almost afraid this is a dream," said Mrs. Larkin.

"You have made me very happy."

 

"You mustn't become purse-proud, mother," said Luke, "because

you have become suddenly rich."

 

"Can you be ready to take the first train to New York with

me in the morning, Luke?" asked Roland Reed.

 

"Yes, sir; it starts at half-past seven."

 

"Your breakfast will be ready on time," said the widow,

"and Luke will call you."

 

 

 

CHAPTER XVI

 

LUKE'S VISIT TO NEW YORK

 

 

The morning train to New York carried among its passengers Luke and

his new friend. The distance was thirty-five miles, and the time

occupied was a trifle over an hour. The two sat together, and Luke

had an opportunity of observing his companion more closely. He was

a man of middle age, dark complexion, with keen black eyes, and the

expression of one who understood the world and was well fitted to

make his way in it. He had already given the Larkins to understand

that he had been successful in accumulating money.

 

As for Luke, he felt happy and contented. The tide of fortune seemed

to have turned in his favor, or rather in favor of his family. The

handsome weekly sum which would be received for the board of Mr.

Reed's little daughter would be sufficient of itself to defray the

modest expenses of their household. If he, too, could obtain work,

they would actually feel rich.

 

"Luke," said his companion, "does your mother own the cottage where

you live?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Free of incumbrance?"

 

"Not quite. There is a mortgage of three hundred dollars held by

Squire Duncan. It was held by Deacon Tibbetts, but about three

months since Squire Duncan bought it."

 

"What could be his object in buying it?"

 

"I don't know, sir. Perhaps the deacon owed him money."

 

"I am surprised, then, that he deprived you of your position as

janitor, since it would naturally make it more difficult for you

to meet the interest."

 

"That is true, sir. I wondered at it myself."

 

"Your house is a small one, but the location is fine. It would

make a building lot suitable for a gentleman's summer residence."

 

"Yes, sir; there was a gentleman in the village last summer who

called upon mother and tried to induce her to sell."

 

"Did he offer her a fair price?"

 

"No, sir; he said he should have to take down the cottage, and

he only offered eight hundred dollars. Mother would have sold for

a thousand."

 

"Tell her not to accept even that offer, but to hold on to the

property. Some day she can obtain considerably more."

 

"She won't sell unless she is obliged to," replied Luke. "A few

days since I thought we might have to do it. Now, with the generous

sum which you allow for your little girl's board there will be

no necessity."

 

"Has Squire Duncan broached the subject to your mother?"

 

"He mentioned it one day, but he wanted her to sell for seven

hundred dollars."

 

"He is evidently sharp at a bargain."

 

"Yes, sir; he is not considered liberal."

 

There was one thing that troubled Luke in spite of the pleasure

he anticipated from his visit to New York. He knew very well that

his clothes were shabby, and he shrank from the idea of appearing

on Broadway in a patched suit too small for him. But he had never

breathed a word of complaint to his mother, knowing that she could

not afford to buy him another suit, and he did not wish to add to

her troubles. It might have happened that occasionally he fixed a

troubled look on his clothes, but if Roland Reed noticed it he did

not make any comment.

 

But when they reached New York, and found themselves on Broadway,

his companion paused in front of a large clothing store with large

plate-glass windows, and said, quietly: "Come in, Luke. I think

you need some new clothes."

 

Luke's face flushed with pleasure, but he said, "I have no money,

Mr. Reed."

 

"I have," said Roland Reed, significantly.

 

"You are very kind, sir," said Luke, gratefully.

 

"It costs little to be kind when you have more money than you know

what to do with," said Reed. "I don't mean that I am a Vanderbilt

or an Astor, but my income is much greater than I need to spend on

myself."

 

A suit was readily found which fitted Luke as well as if it had been

made for him. It was of gray mixed cloth, made in fashionable style.

 

"You may as well keep it on, Luke." Then to the shopman: "Have you

a nice suit of black cloth, and of the same size?"

 

"Yes, sir," answered the salesman, readily.

 

"He may as well have two while we are about it. As to the old suit,

it is too small, and we will leave it here to be given away to

some smaller boy."

 

Luke was quite overwhelmed by his new friend's munificence.

 

"I don't think mother will know me," he said, as he surveyed

himself in a long mirror.

 

"Then I will introduce you or give you a letter of introduction.

Have you a watch, Luke?"

 

"No, sir; you know I did not get the prize at the skating match."

 

"True; then I must remedy the deficiency."

 

They took the roadway stage down below the Astor House--it was

before the days of Jacob Sharp's horse railway--and got out at

Benedict's. There Mr. Reed made choice of a neat silver watch,

manufactured at Waltham, and bought a plated chain to go with it.

 

"Put that in your vest pocket," he said. "It may console you for

the loss of the Waterbury."

 

"How can I ever repay you for your kindness, Mr. Reed?" said Luke,

overjoyed.

 

"I have taken a fancy to you, Luke," said his companion. "I hope

to do more for you soon. Now we will go uptown, and I will put my

little girl under your charge."

 

Luke had dreaded making a call at a nice city house in his old suit.

Now he looked forward to it with pleasure, especially after his new

friend completed his benefactions by buying him a new pair of shoes

and a hat.

 

"Luke," asked his companion, as they were on their way uptown in a

Sixth Avenue car, "do you know who owned the box of bonds taken from

the Groveton Bank?"

 

"I have heard that it was a Mr. Armstrong, now traveling in Europe."

 

"How did he come to leave the box in a village bank?"

 

"He is some acquaintance of Squire Duncan, and spent some weeks last

summer at the village hotel."

 

"Then probably he left the box there at the suggestion of Duncan,

the president."

 

"I don't know, sir, but I think it very likely."

 

"Humph! This is getting interesting. The contents of the box were

government bonds, I have heard."

 

"I heard Squire Duncan say so."

 

"Were they coupon or registered?"

 

"What difference would that make, sir?"

 

"The first could be sold without trouble by the thief, while

the last could not be disposed of without a formal transfer from

the owner."

 

"Then it would not pay to steal them?"

 

"Just so. Luke, do you know, a strange idea has come into my head."

 

"What is it, sir?"

 

"I think Prince Duncan knows more about how those bonds were

spirited away than is suspected."

 

Luke was greatly surprised.

 

"You don't think he took them himself, do you?" he asked.

 

"That remains to be seen. It is a curious affair altogether. I may

have occasion to speak of it another time. Are you a good writer?"

 

"Fair, I believe, sir."

 

"I have recently come into possession of a business in a city in

Ohio, which I carry on through a paid agent. Among other things,

I have bought out the old accounts. I shall need to have a large

number of bills made out, covering a series of years, which I shall

then put into the hands of a collector and realize so far as I can.

This work, with a little instruction, I think you can do."

 

"I shall be very glad to do it, sir."

 

"You will be paid fairly for the labor."

 

"I don't need any pay, Mr. Reed. You have already paid me

handsomely."

 

"You refer to the clothing and the watch? Those are gifts. I will

pay you thirty cents an hour for the time employed, leaving you to

keep the account. The books of the firm I have at the house where my

daughter is boarding. You will take them back to Groveton with you."

 

"This is a fortunate day for me," said Luke. "It will pay me much

better than the janitorship."

 

"Do your duty, Luke, and your good fortune will continue. But here

is our street."

 

They left the car at the corner of Fourteenth Street and Sixth

Avenue, and turning westward, paused in front of a four-story

house of good appearance.

 

 

 

CHAPTER XVII

 

RANDOLPH IS MYSTIFIED

 

 

In an hour, Luke, with the little girl under his charge, was on

his way to the depot, accompanied by Mr. Reed, who paid for their

tickets, and bade them good-bye, promising to communicate with Luke.

 

Rosa Reed was a bright little girl of about eight years of age. She

made no opposition to going with Luke, but put her hand confidently

in his, and expressed much pleasure at the prospect of living in

the country. She had been under the care of two maiden ladies, the

Misses Graham, who had no love for children, and had merely accepted

the charge on account of the liberal terms paid them by the father.

They seemed displeased at the withdrawal of Rosa, and clearly

signified this by their cold, stiff reception of Mr. Reed and Luke.

 

"The old girls don't like to part with Rosa," he said, with a smile,

as they emerged into the street.

 

"Are you sorry to leave them, Rosa?" he inquired.

 

"No; they ain't a bit pleasant," answered the little girl, decidedly.

 

"Were they strict with you?" asked Luke.

 

"Yes; they were always saying, 'Little girls should be seen and not

heard!' They didn't want me to make a bit of noise, and wouldn't let

me have any little girls in to play with me. Are there any little

girls at your home?"

 

"No, but there are some living near by, and they will come

to see you."

 

"That will be nice," said Rosa, with satisfaction.

 

Directions were left to have the little girl's trunk go to Groveton

by express, and, therefore, Luke was encumbered only by a small

satchel belonging to his new charge.

 

Of the details of the journey it is unnecessary to speak. The two

young travelers arrived at Groveton, and, as it chanced, reached

Luke's cottage without attracting much observation. The door was

opened by the widow, whose kind manner at once won the favor of

the child.

 

"I like you much better than Miss Graham," she said, with childish

frankness.

 

"I am glad of that, my child," said Mrs. Larkin. "I will try

to make this a pleasant home for you."

 

"I like Luke, too," said Rosa.

 

"Really, Rosa, you make me blush," said Luke. "I am not used to

hearing young ladies say they like me."

 

"I think he is a good boy," said Rosa, reflectively. "Isn't he,

Mrs. Larkin?"

 

"I think so, my dear," said the widow, smiling.

 

"Then I suppose I shall have to behave like one," said Luke.

"Do you think I have improved in appearance, mother?"

 

"I noticed your new suit at once, Luke."

 

"I have another in this bundle, mother; and that isn't all. Do

you see this watch? I sha'n't mourn the loss of the Waterbury

any longer."

 

"Mr. Reed is certainly proving a kind friend, Luke. We have

much reason to be grateful."

 

"He has also provided me with employment for a time, mother."

And then Luke told his mother about the copying he had engaged to do.

 

It is hardy necessary to say that the heart of the widow was

unfeignedly thankful for the favorable change in their fortunes,

and she did not omit to give thanks to Providence for raising up

so kind and serviceable a friend.

 

About the middle of the afternoon Luke made his appearance in the

village street. Though I hope my readers will not suspect him of

being a dude, he certainly did enjoy the consciousness of being well

dressed. He hoped he should meet Randolph, anticipating the surprise

and disappointment of the latter at the evidence of his prosperity.

 

When Luke was arrested, Randolph rejoiced as only a mean and

spiteful boy would be capable of doing at the humiliation and

anticipated disgrace of a boy whom he disliked. He had indulged in

more than one expression of triumph, and sought every opportunity

of discussing the subject, to the disgust of all fair-minded

persons. Even Sam Noble protested, though a toady of Randolph.

 

"Look here, Randolph," he said, "I don't like Luke overmuch, and I

know he doesn't like me, but I don't believe he's a thief, and I am

sorry he is in trouble."

 

"Then you are no friend of mine," said Randolph, looking black.

 

"Oh, I say, Randolph, you know better than that. Haven't I always

stood up for you, and done whatever you wanted me to?"

 

"If you were my friend you wouldn't stand up for Luke."

 

"I am not a friend of his, and I am a friend of yours, but I don't

want him to go to prison."

 

"I do, if he deserves it."

 

"I don't believe he does deserve it."

 

"That is what I complain of in you."

 

"The fact is, Randolph, you expect too much. If you want to break

friendship, all right."

 

Randolph was amazed at this unexpected independence on the part of

one whom he regarded as his bond slave; but, being hardly prepared

to part with him, especially as his other follower, Tom Harper,

had partially thrown off his allegiance, thought it prudent to be

satisfied with Sam's expressions of loyalty, even if they did not

go as far as he wished.

 

Randolph missed Luke at school on the day after the trial. Of

course, he had no idea that our hero was out of school, and hastily

concluded that on account of his trial he was ashamed to show

himself.

 

"I don't wonder he doesn't want to show himself," he remarked to

Tom Harper.

 

"Why not? He has been acquitted."

 

"Never mind. He has been under arrest, and may yet be guilty in

spite of his acquittal. Have you seen him to-day?"

 

"No."

 

"Probably he is hiding at home. Well, it shows some sort of shame."

 

On his way home from school Randolph was destined to be surprised.

Not far from his own house he met Luke, arrayed in his new suit,

with a chain that looked like gold crossing his waistcoat. Instead

of looking confused and ashamed, Luke looked uncommonly bright and

cheerful.

 

Randolph was amazed. What could it all mean? He had intended not

to notice Luke, but to pass him with a scornful smile, but his

curiosity got the better of him.

 

"Why were you not at school to-day?" he asked, abruptly.

 

Luke smiled.

 

"I didn't think you would miss me, Randolph."

 

"I didn't, but wondered at your absence."

 

"I was detained by business. I expect to have the pleasure of seeing

you there to-morrow."

 

"Humph! You seem to have invested in a new suit."

 

"Yes; my old suit was getting decidedly shabby, as you kindly

remarked at Florence Grant's party."

 

"Where did you get them?"

 

"In New York."

 

"In New York!" repeated Randolph, in surprise. "When did you

go there?"

 

"This morning. It was that which detained me from school."

 

"I see you've got a new watch-chain, too."

 

Randolph emphasized the word "chain" satirically, being under

the impression that no watch was attached.

 

"Yes; you may like to see my new watch." And Luke, with pardonable

triumph, produced his new watch, which was a stem-winder, whereas

Randolph's was only a key-winder.

 

Randolph condescended to take the watch in his hands and examine it.

 

"Where was this bought?" he asked.

 

"At Benedict's."

 

"You seem to have plenty of money," he said, with unpleasant

significance.

 

"I should like more."

 

"Only you are rather imprudent in making such extensive purchases

so soon after your trial."

 

"What do you mean?" demanded Luke quickly.

 

"What should I mean? It is evident that you robbed the bank,

after all. I shall tell my father, and you may find your trouble is

not over."

 

"Look here, Randolph Duncan!" said Luke sternly, "I look upon that

as an insult, and I don't mean to be insulted. I am no more a thief

than you are, and that you know."

 

"Do you mean to charge me with being a thief?" fumed Randolph.

 

"No; I only say you are as much a thief as I am. If you repeat your

insult, I shall be obliged to knock you down."

 

"You impudent loafer!" screamed Randolph. "You'll be sorry for this.

I'll have you arrested over again."

 

"I have no doubt you would if you had the power. I sha'n't lie

awake nights thinking of it. If you have nothing more to say I will

leave you."

 

Randolph did not reply, probably because he was at a loss what to

say, but went home angry and mystified. Where could Luke have got

his watch and new suit? He asked himself this many times, but no

possible explanation suggested itself.

 

Scarcely had Luke parted with Randolph when he met his friend

Linton, who surveyed Luke's improved appearance with pleasure

and surprise.

 

"I say, Luke, are you setting up for a dude?"

 

"I thought a little of it," answered Luke, with a smile--and then he

explained the cause of his good fortune. "I have only one regret,"

he added, "Randolph seems to be grieved over it. He liked me better

in my old suit. Besides, I have a new watch, and it turns out to be

better than his."

 

Here he displayed his new silver watch. Linton felt a generous

pleasure in Luke's luck, and it may truly be said rejoiced more

at it than he would at any piece of good fortune to himself.

 

"By the way, Luke," he said, "I am going to give a party next

Thursday evening, and I give you the very first invitation. It is

my birthday, you know."

 

"I accept with pleasure, sir. I look upon you as my warmest friend,

and as long as I retain your friendship I shall not care for

Randolph's malice."

 

 

 

CHAPTER XVIII

 

MR. DUNCAN'S SECRET

 

 

About two weeks later, Prince Duncan sat at his desk with a troubled

look. Open before him were letters. One was post-marked London, and

ran as follows:

 

 

"MY DEAR SIR: I have decided to shorten my visit, and shall leave

Liverpool next Saturday en route for New York. You will see,

therefore, that I shall arrive nearly as soon as the letter I am

now writing. I have decided to withdraw the box of securities I

deposited in your bank, and shall place it in a safe-deposit vault

in New York. You may expect to see me shortly.

 

"Yours in haste,

 

"JOHN ARMSTRONG."

 

 

Drops of perspiration gathered on the brow of Prince Duncan as he

read this letter. What would Mr. Armstrong say when he learned that

the box had mysteriously disappeared? That he would be thoroughly

indignant, and make it very unpleasant for the president of

Groveton Bank, was certain. He would ask, among other things,

why Mr. Duncan had not informed him of the loss by cable, and no

satisfactory explanation could be given. He would ask, furthermore,

why detectives had not been employed to ferret out the mystery,

and here again no satisfactory explanation could be given. Prince

Duncan knew very well that he had a reason, but it was not one

that could be disclosed.

 

He next read the second letter, and his trouble was not diminished.

It was from a Wall Street broker, informing him that the Erie shares

bought for him on a margin had gone down two points, and it would be

necessary for him to deposit additional margin, or be sold out.

 

"Why did I ever invest in Erie?" thought Duncan ruefully. "I was

confidently assured that it would go up--that it must go up--and

here it is falling, and Heaven knows how much lower it will go."

 

At this point the door opened, and Randolph entered. He had a

special favor to ask. He had already given his father several hints

that he would like a gold watch, being quite dissatisfied with his

silver watch now that Luke Larkin possessed one superior to his. He

had chosen a very unfavorable moment for his request, as he soon

found out.

 

"Father," he said, "I have a favor to ask."

 

"What is it?" asked Prince Duncan, with a frown.

 

"I wish you would buy me a gold watch."

 

"Oh, you do!" sneered his father. "I was under the impression that

you had two watches already."

 

"So I have, but one is a Waterbury, and the other a cheap

silver one."

 

"Well, they keep time, don't they?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Then what more do you want?"

 

"Luke Larkin has a silver watch better than mine--a stem-winder."

 

"Suppose he has?"

 

"I don't want a working boy like him to outshine me."

 

"Where did he get his watch?"

 

"I don't know; he won't tell. Will you buy me a gold one, father?

Then I can look down upon him again."

 

"No, I can't. Money is very scarce with me just now."

 

"Then I don't want to wear a watch at all," said Randolph pettishly.

 

"Suit yourself," said his father coldly. "Now you may leave the

room. I am busy."

 

Randolph left the room. He would have slammed the door behind him,

but he knew his father's temper, and he did not dare to do so.

 

"What am I to do?" Prince Duncan asked himself anxiously. "I must

send money to the brokers, or they will sell me out, and I shall

meet with a heavy loss."

 

After a little thought he wrote a letter enclosing a check, but

dated it two days ahead.

 

"They will think it a mistake," he thought, "and it will give

me time to turn around. Now for money to meet the check when it

arrives."

 

Prince Duncan went up-stairs, and, locking the door of his chamber,

opened a large trunk in one corner of the room. From under a pile of

clothing he took out a tin box, and with hands that trembled with

excitement he extracted therefrom a dozen government bonds. One was

for ten thousand dollars, one for five, and the remainder were for

one thousand dollars each.

 

"If they were only sold, and the money deposited in the bank to my

credit," he thought. "I am almost sorry I started in this thing.

The risk is very great, but--but I must have money."

 

At this moment some one tried the door.

 

Prince Duncan turned pale, and the bonds nearly fell from his hands.

 

"Who's there?" he asked.

 

"It is I, papa," answered Randolph.

 

"Then you may go down-stairs again," answered his father angrily.

"I don't want to be disturbed."

 

"Won't you open the door a minute? I just want to ask a question."

 

"No, I won't. Clear out!" exclaimed the bank president angrily.

 

"What a frightful temper father has!" thought the discomfited

Randolph.

 

There was nothing for it but to go down-stairs, and he did so in a

very discontented frame of mind.

 

"It seems to me that something is going contrary," said Duncan to

himself. "It is clear that it won't do to keep these bonds here any

longer. I must take them to New York to-morrow--and raise money on

them."

 

On second thought, to-morrow he decided only to take the

five-thousand-dollar bond, and five of the one thousand, fearing

that too large a sale at one time might excite suspicion.

 

Carefully selecting the bonds referred to, he put them away in a

capacious pocket, and, locking the trunk, went down-stairs again.

 

"There is still time to take the eleven-o'clock train," he said,

consulting his watch. "I must do it."

 

Seeking his wife, he informed her that he would take the next train

for New York.

 

"Isn't this rather sudden?" she asked, in surprise.

 

"A little, perhaps, but I have a small matter of business to attend

to. Besides, I think the trip will do me good. I am not feeling

quite as well as usual."

 

"I believe I will go, too," said Mrs. Duncan unexpectedly. "I want

to make some purchases at Stewart's."

 

This suggestion was very far from agreeable to her husband.

 

"Really--I am"--he said, "I must disappoint you. My time will be

wholly taken up by matters of business, and I can't go with you."

 

"You don't need to. I can take care of myself, and we can meet at

the depot at four o'clock."

 

"Besides, I can't supply you with any money for shopping."

 

"I have enough. I might have liked a little more, but I can make

it do."

 

"Perhaps it will look better if we go in company," thought Prince

Duncan. "She needn't be in my way, for we can part at the station."

 

"Very well, Jane," he said quietly. "If you won't expect me to

dance attendance upon you, I withdraw my objections."

 

The eleven-o'clock train for New York had among its passengers Mr.

and Mrs. Duncan.

 

There was another passenger whom neither of them noticed--a small,

insignificant-looking man--who occasionally directed a quick glance

at the portly bank president.

 

 

 

CHAPTER XIX

 

EFFECTING A LOAN

 

 

Prince Duncan was unusually taciturn during the railroad journey--so

much so that his wife noticed it, and inquired the reason.

 

"Business, my dear," answered the bank president. "I am rather

perplexed by a matter of business."

 

"Business connected with the bank, Mr. Duncan?" asked his wife.

 

"No, private business."

 

"Have you heard anything yet of the stolen bonds?"

 

"Not yet."

 

"Have you any suspicion?"

 

"None that I am at liberty to mention," answered Duncan, looking

mysterious.

 

"I suppose you no longer suspect that boy Luke?"

 

"I don't know. The man who owns to having given him the tin box for

safe-keeping is, in my opinion, a suspicious character. I shouldn't

be at all surprised if he were a jailbird."

 

The small man already referred to, who occupied a seat just across

the aisle, here smiled slightly, but whether at the president's

remark, is not clear.

 

"What did he call himself?"

 

"Roland Reed--no doubt an alias."

 

"It seems to me you ought to follow him up, and see if you can't

convict him of the theft."

 

"You may be sure, Jane, that the president and directors of the

Groveton Bank will do their duty in this matter," said Mr. Duncan

rather grandiloquently. "By the way, I have received this morning

a letter from Mr. Armstrong, the owner of the stolen bonds, saying

that he will be at home in a few days."

 

"Does he know of the loss?"

 

"Not yet."

 

"How will he take it?"

 

"Really, Jane, you are very inquisitive this morning. I presume

he will be very much annoyed."

 

The car had become quite warm, and Mr. Duncan, who had hitherto kept

on his overcoat, rose to take it off. Unfortunately for him he quite

forgot the bonds he had in the inside pocket, and in his careless

handling of the coat the package fell upon the floor of the car, one

slipping out of the envelope a bond for one thousand dollars.

 

Prince Duncan turned pale, and stooped to pick up the package. But

the small man opposite was too quick for him. He raised the package

from the floor, and handing it to the bank president with a polite

bow, said, with a smile: "You wouldn't like to lose this, sir."

 

"No," answered Duncan gruffly, angry with the other for anticipating

him, "it was awkward of me."

 

Mrs. Duncan also saw the bond, and inquired with natural curiosity.

"Do they belong to the bank, Mr. Duncan?"

 

"No; they are my own."

 

"I am glad of that. What are you going to do with them?"

 

"Hush! It is dangerous to speak of them here. Some one might hear,

and I might be followed. I am very much annoyed that they have

been seen at all."

 

This closed Mrs. Duncan's mouth, but she resolved to make further

inquiries when they were by themselves.

 

Prince Duncan looked askance at his opposite neighbor. He was a man

who had come to Groveton recently, and had opened a billiard saloon

and bar not far from the bank. He was not regarded as a very

desirable citizen, and had already excited the anxiety of parents

by luring into the saloon some of the boys and young men of the

village. Among them, though Squire Duncan did not know it, was his

own son Randolph, who had already developed quite a fondness for

playing pool, and even occasionally patronized the bar. This, had

he known it, would have explained Randolph's increased applications

for money.

 

Whether Tony Denton--his full name was Anthony Denton--had any

special object in visiting New York, I am unable to state. At all

events it appeared that his business lay in the same direction as

that of Prince Duncan, for on the arrival of the train at the New

York depot, he followed the bank president at a safe distance,

and was clearly bent upon keeping him in view.

 

Mr. Duncan walked slowly, and appeared to be plunged in anxious

thought. His difficulties were by no means over. He had the bonds

to dispose of, and he feared the large amount might occasion

suspicion. They were coupon bonds, and bore no name or other

evidence of ownership. Yet the mere fact of having such a large

amount might occasion awkward inquiries.

 

"Here's yer mornin' papers!" called a negro newsboy, thrusting his

bundle in front of the country banker.

 

"Give me a Herald," said Mr. Duncan. Opening the paper, his eye

ran hastily over the columns. It lighted up as he saw a particular

advertisement.

 

"The very thing," he said to himself.

 

This was the advertisement:

 

 

"LOAN OFFICE--We are prepared to loan sums to suit, on first-class

security, at a fair rate of interest. Call or address Sharp &

Ketchum, No. -- Wall Street. Third floor."

 

 

"I will go there," Prince Duncan suddenly decided. "I will borrow

what I can on these bonds, and being merely held on collateral,

they will be kept out of the market. At the end of six months, say,

I will redeem them, or order them sold, and collect the balance,

minus the interest."

 

Having arrived at this conclusion, he quickened his pace, his

expression became more cheerful, and he turned his steps toward

Wall Street.

 

"What did the old fellow see in the paper?" thought Tony. Denton,

who, still undiscovered, followed Mr. Duncan closely. "It is

something that pleased him, evidently."

 

He beckoned the same newsboy, bought a Herald also, and turning to

that part of the paper on which the banker's eyes had been resting,

discovered Sharp & Ketchum's advertisement.

 

"That's it, I'll bet a hat," he decided. "He is going to raise money

on the bonds. I'll follow him."

 

When Duncan turned into Wall Street, Tony Denton felt that he had

guessed correctly. He was convinced when the bank president paused

before the number indicated in the advertisement.

 

"It won't do for me to follow him in," he said to himself, "nor

will it be necessary--I can remember the place and turn it to my

own account by and by."

 

Prince Duncan went up-stairs, and paused before a door on which

was inscribed:

 

 

SHARP & KETCHUM

BANKERS

LOANS NEGOTIATED

 

 

He opened the door, and found the room furnished in the style of

a private banking-office.

 

"Is Mr. Sharp or Mr. Ketchum in?" he inquired of a sharp-faced young

clerk, the son, as it turned out, of the senior partner.

 

"Yes, sir, Mr. Sharp is in."

 

"Is he at leisure? I wish to see him on business."

 

"Go in there, sir," said the clerk, pointing to a small private

room in the corner of the office. Following the directions, Mr.

Duncan found himself in the presence of a man of about fifty,

with a hatchet face, much puckered with wrinkles, and a very

foxy expression.

 

"I am Mr. Sharp," he said, in answer to an inquiry.

 

Prince Duncan unfolded his business. He wished to borrow eight or

nine thousand dollars on ten thousand dollars' worth of United

States Government bonds.

 

"Why don't you sell at once?" asked Sharp keenly.

 

"Because I wish, for special reasons, to redeem these identical

bonds, say six months hence."

 

"They are your own?" asked Mr. Sharp.

 

"They are a part of my wife's estate, of which I have control. I do

not, however, wish her to know that I have raised money on them,"

answered Duncan, with a smooth falsehood.

 

"Of course, that makes a difference. However, I will loan you seven

thousand dollars, and you will give me your note for seven thousand

five hundred, at the usual interest, with permission to sell the

bonds at the end of six months if the note remains unpaid then, I

to hand you the balance."

 

Prince Duncan protested against these terms as exorbitant, but was

finally obliged to accede to them. On the whole, he was fairly

satisfied. The check would relieve him from all his embarrassments

and give him a large surplus.

 

"So far so good!" said Tony Denton, as he saw Mr. Duncan emerge into

the street. "If I am not greatly mistaken this will prove a lucky

morning for me."

 

 

 

CHAPTER XX

 

LUKE TALKS WITH A CAPITALIST

 

 

Luke worked steadily on the task given him by his new patron.

During the first week he averaged three hours a day, with an

additional two hours on Saturday, making, in all, twenty hours,

making, at thirty cents per hour, six dollars. This Luke

considered fair pay, considering that he was attending school

and maintaining good rank in his classes.

 

"Why don't we see more of you, Luke?" asked his friend Linton one

day. "You seem to stay in the house all the time."

 

"Because I am at work, Linny. Last week I made six dollars."

 

"How?" asked Linton, surprised.

 

"By copying and making out bills for Mr. Reed."

 

"That is better than being janitor at a dollar a week."

 

"Yes, but I have to work a good deal harder."

 

"I am afraid you are working too hard."

 

"I shouldn't like to keep it up, but it is only for a short time.

If I gave up school I should find it easy enough, but I don't

want to do that."

 

"No, I hope you won't; I should miss you, and so would all

the boys."

 

"Including Randolph Duncan?"

 

"I don't know about that. By the way, I hear that Randolph is

spending a good deal of his time at Tony Denton's billiard saloon."

 

"I am sorry to hear it. It hasn't a very good reputation."

 

 

 * * * * * * * * *

 

 

One day Luke happened to be at the depot at the time of the arrival

of the train from New York. A small, elderly man stepped upon the

platform whom Luke immediately recognized as John Armstrong, the

owner of the missing box of bonds. He was surprised to see him,

having supposed that he was still in Europe. Mr. Armstrong, as

already stated, had boarded for several weeks during the preceding

summer at Groveton.

 

He looked at Luke with a half-glance of recognition.

 

"Haven't I seen you before?" he said. "What is your name?"

 

"My name is Luke Larkin. I saw you several times last summer."

 

"Then you know me?"

 

"Yes, sir, you are Mr. Armstrong. But I thought you were

in Europe."

 

"So I was till recently. I came home sooner than I expected."

 

Luke was not surprised. He supposed that intelligence of

the robbery had hastened Mr. Armstrong's return.

 

"I suppose it was the news of your box that hurried you home,"

Luke ventured to say.

 

"No, I hadn't heard of it till my arrival in New York can you

tell me anything about the matter? Has the box been found?"

 

"Not that I have heard, sir."

 

"Was, or is, anybody suspected?"

 

"I was suspected," answered Luke, smiling, "but I don't think

any one suspects me now."

 

"You!" exclaimed the capitalist, in evident astonishment.

"What could induce any one to suspect a boy like you of robbing

a bank?"

 

"There was some ground for it," said Luke candidly. "A tin box,

of the same appearance as the one lost, was seen in our house.

I was arrested on suspicion, and tried."

 

"You don't say so! How did you prove your innocence?"

 

"The gentleman who gave me the box in charge appeared and

testified in my favor. But for that I am afraid I should have

fared badly."

 

"That is curious. Who was the gentleman?"

 

Luke gave a rapid history of the circumstances already known

to the reader.

 

"I am glad to hear this, being principally interested in the matter.

However, I never should have suspected you. I claim to be something

of a judge of character and physiognomy, and your appearance is in

your favor. Your mother is a widow, I believe?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"And you are the janitor of the schoolhouse?"

 

Mr. Armstrong was a close observer, and though having large

interests of his own, made himself familiar with the affairs of

those whom others in his position would wholly have ignored.

 

"I was janitor," Luke replied, "but when Mr. Duncan became a

member of the school committee he removed me."

 

"For what reason?" asked Mr. Armstrong quickly.

 

"I don't think he ever liked me, and his son Randolph and I have

never been good friends."

 

"You mean Mr. Duncan, the president of the bank?"

 

"Yes, sir?"

 

"Why are not you and his son friends?"

 

"I don't know, sir. He has always been in the habit of sneering

at me as a poor boy--a working boy--and unworthy to associate

with him."

 

"You don't look like a poor boy. You are better dressed than I was

at your age. Besides, you have a watch, I judge from the chain."

 

"Yes, sir; but all that is only lately. I have found a good friend

who has been very kind to me."

 

"Who is he?"

 

"Roland Reed, the owner of the tin box I referred to."

 

"Roland Reed! I never heard the name. Where is he from?"

 

"From the West, I believe, though at present he is staying in

New York."

 

"How much were you paid as janitor?"

 

"A dollar a week."

 

"That is very little. Is the amount important to you?"

 

"No, sir, not now." And then Luke gave particulars of the good

fortune of the family in having secured a profitable boarder, and,

furthermore, in obtaining for himself profitable employment.

 

"This Mr. Reed seems to be a kind-hearted and liberal man. I am

glad for your sake. I sympathize with poor boys. Can you guess

the reason?"

 

"Were you a poor boy yourself, sir?"

 

"I was, and a very poor boy. When I was a boy of thirteen and

fourteen I ran around in overalls and bare-footed. But I don't think

it did me any harm," the old man added, musingly. "It kept me from

squandering money on foolish pleasures, for I had none to spend; it

made me industrious and self-reliant, and when I obtained employment

it made me anxious to please my employer."

 

"I hope it will have the same effect on me, sir."

 

"I hope so, and I think so. What sort of a boy is this son of

Mr. Duncan?"

 

"If his father were not a rich man, I think he would be more

agreeable. As it is, he seems to have a high idea of his own

importance."

 

"So his father has the reputation of being a rich man, eh?"

 

"Yes, sir. We have always considered him so."

 

"Without knowing much about it?"

 

"Yes, sir; we judged from his style of living, and from his being

president of a bank."

 

"That amounts to nothing. His salary as president is only moderate."

 

"I am sorry you should have met with such a loss, Mr. Armstrong."

 

"So am I, but it won't cripple me. Still, a man doesn't like to lose

twenty-five thousand dollars and over."

 

"Was there as much as that in the box, sir?" asked Luke, in

surprise.

 

"Yes, I don't know why I need make any secret of it. There were

twenty-five thousand dollars in government bonds, and these, at

present rates, are worth in the neighborhood of thirty thousand

dollars."

 

"That seems to me a great deal of money," said Luke.

 

"It is, but I can spare it without any diminution of comfort. I

don't feel, however, like pocketing the loss without making a strong

effort to recover the money. I didn't expect to meet immediately

upon arrival the only person hitherto suspected of accomplishing

the robbery."

 

He smiled as he spoke, and Luke saw that, so far as Mr. Armstrong

was concerned, he had no occasion to feel himself under suspicion.

 

"Are you intending to remain long in Groveton, Mr. Armstrong?"

he asked.

 

"I can't say. I have to see Mr. Duncan about the tin box, and

concoct some schemes looking to the discovery of the person or

persons concerned in its theft. Have there been any suspicious

persons in the village during the last few weeks?"

 

"Not that I know of, sir."

 

"What is the character of the men employed in the bank, the

cashier and teller?"

 

"They seem to be very steady young men, sir. I don't think

they have been suspected."

 

"The most dangerous enemies are those who are inside, for they

have exceptional opportunities for wrongdoing. Moreover, they have

the best chance to cover up their tracks."

 

"I don't think there is anything to charge against Mr. Roper and Mr.

Barclay. They are both young married men, and live in a quiet way."

 

"Never speculate in Wall Street, eh? One of the soberest, steadiest

bank cashiers I ever knew, who lived plainly and frugally, and

was considered by all to be a model man, wrecked the man he was

connected with--a small country banker--and is now serving a term

in State's prison. The cause was Wall Street speculation. This is

more dangerous even than extravagant habits of living."

 

A part of this conversation took place on the platform of the

railroad-station, and a part while they were walking in the

direction of the hotel. They had now reached the village inn,

and, bidding our hero good morning, Mr. Armstrong entered, and

registered his name.

 

Ten minutes later he set out for the house of Prince Duncan.

 

 

 

CHAPTER XXI

 

THE DREADED INTERVIEW

 

 

Mr. Duncan had been dreading the inevitable interview with Mr.

Armstrong. He knew him to be a sharp man of business, clear-sighted

and keen, and he felt that this part of the conference would be an

awkward and embarrassing one. He had tried to nerve himself for

the interview, and thought he had succeeded, but when the servant

brought Mr. Armstrong's card he felt a sinking at his heart, and

it was in a tone that betrayed nervousness that he said: "Bring

the gentleman in."

 

"My dear sir," he said, extending his hand and vigorously shaking

the hand of his new arrival, "this is an unexpected pleasure."

 

"Unexpected? Didn't you get my letter from London?" said Mr.

Armstrong, suffering his hand to be shaken, but not returning

the arm pressure.

 

"Certainly--"

 

"In which I mentioned my approaching departure?"

 

"Yes, certainly; but I didn't know on what day to expect you.

Pray sit down. It seems pleasant to see you home safe and well."

 

"Humph!" returned Armstrong, in a tone by no means as cordial.

"Have you found my box of bonds?"

 

"Not yet, but--"

 

"Permit me to ask you why you allowed me to remain ignorant of so

important a matter? I was indebted to the public prints, to which

my attention was directed by an acquaintance, for a piece of news

which should have been communicated to me at once."

 

"My dear sir, I intended to write you as soon as I heard of your

arrival. I did not know till this moment that you were in America."

 

"You might have inferred it from the intimation in my last letter.

Why did you not cable me the news?"

 

"Because," replied Duncan awkwardly, "I did not wish to spoil your

pleasure, and thought from day to day that the box would turn up."

 

"You were very sparing of my feelings," said Armstrong, dryly--

"too much so. I am not a child or an old woman, and it was your

imperative duty, in a matter so nearly affecting my interests,

to apprise me at once."

 

"I may have erred in judgment," said Duncan meekly, "but I beg

you to believe that I acted as I supposed for the best."

 

"Leaving that out of consideration at present, let me know what

steps you have taken to find out how the box was spirited away,

or who was concerned in the robbery."

 

"I think that you will admit that I acted promptly," said the bank

president complacently, "when I say that within twenty-four hours I

arrested a party on suspicion of being implicated in the robbery,

and tried him myself."

 

"Who was the party?" asked the capitalist, not betraying the

knowledge he had already assessed on the subject.

 

"A boy in the village named Luke Larkin."

 

"Humph! What led you to think a boy had broken into the bank?

That does not strike me as very sharp on your part."

 

"I had positive evidence that the boy in question had a tin box

concealed in his house--in his mother's trunk. His poverty made

it impossible that the box could be his, and I accordingly had

him arrested."

 

"Well, what was the result of the trial?"

 

"I was obliged to let him go, though by no means satisfied of

his innocence."

 

"Why?"

 

"A man--a stranger--a very suspicious-looking person, presented

himself, and swore that the box was his, and that he had committed

it to the charge of this boy."

 

"Well, that seems tolerably satisfactory, doesn't it?--that is,

if he furnished evidence confirming his statement. Did he open the

box in court?"

 

"Yes."

 

"And the bonds were not there?"

 

"The bonds were not there only some papers, and what appeared to be

certificates of stock."

 

"Yet you say you are still suspicious of this man and boy."

 

"Yes."

 

"Explain your grounds."

 

"I thought," replied the president, rather meekly, "he might have

taken the bonds from the box and put in other papers."

 

"That was not very probable. Moreover, he would hardly be likely

to leave the box in the village in the charge of a boy."

 

"The boy might have been his confederate."

 

"What is the boy's reputation in the village? Has he ever been

detected in any act of dishonesty?"

 

"Not that I know of, but there is one suspicious circumstance to

which I would like to call your attention."

 

"Well?"

 

"Since this happened Luke has come out in new clothes, and wears

a silver watch. The family is very poor, and he could not have

had money to buy them unless he obtained some outside aid."

 

"What, then, do you infer?"

 

"That he has been handsomely paid for his complicity in the

robbery."

 

"What explanation does he personally give of this unusual

expenditure?"

 

"He admits that they were paid for by this suspicious stranger."

 

"Has the stranger--what is his name, by the way?"

 

"Roland Reed, he calls himself, but this, probably, is not his

real name."

 

"Well, has this Reed made his appearance in the village since?"

 

"If so, he has come during the night, and has not been seen

by any of us."

 

"I can't say I share your suspicion against Mr. Reed. Your theory

that he took out the bonds and substituted other papers is

far-fetched and improbable. As to the boy, I consider him honest

and reliable."

 

"Do you know Luke Larkin?" asked Mr. Duncan quickly.

 

"Last summer I observed him somewhat, and never saw anything

wrong in him."

 

"Appearances are deceitful," said the bank president sententiously.

 

"So I have heard," returned Mr. Armstrong dryly. "But let us go on.

What other steps have you taken to discover the lost box?"

 

"I have had the bank vaults thoroughly searched," answered Duncan,

trying to make the best of a weak situation.

 

"Of course. It is hardly to be supposed that it has been mislaid.

Even if it had been it would have turned up before this. Did you

discover any traces of the bank being forcibly entered?"

 

"No; but the burglar may have covered his tracks."

 

"There would have been something to show an entrance. What is the

character of the cashier and teller."

 

"I know nothing to their disadvantage."

 

"Then neither have fallen under suspicion?"

 

"Not as yet," answered the president pointedly.

 

"It is evident," thought John Armstrong, "that Mr. Duncan is

interested in diverting suspicion from some quarter. He is willing

that these men should incur suspicion, though it is clear he has

none in his own mind."

 

"Well, what else have you done? Have you employed detectives?" asked

Armstrong, impatiently.

 

"I was about to do so," answered Mr. Duncan, in some embarrassment,

"when I heard that you were coming home, and I thought I would defer

that matter for your consideration."

 

"Giving time in the meanwhile for the thief or thieves to dispose of

their booty? This is very strange conduct, Mr. Duncan."

 

"I acted for the best," said Prince Duncan.

 

"You have singular ideas of what is best, then," observed Mr.

Armstrong coldly. "It may be too late to remedy your singular

neglect, but I will now take the matter out of your hands, and

see what I can do."

 

"Will you employ detectives?" asked Duncan, with evident uneasiness.

 

Armstrong eyed him sharply, and with growing suspicion.

 

"I can't say what I will do."

 

"Have you the numbers of the missing bonds?" asked Duncan anxiously.

 

"I am not sure. I am afraid I have not."

 

Was it imagination, or did the bank president look relieved at

this statement? John Armstrong made a mental note of this.

 

After eliciting the particulars of the disappearance of the bonds,

John Armstrong rose to go. He intended to return to the city, but

he made up his mind to see Luke first. He wanted to inquire the

address of Roland Reed.

 

 

 

CHAPTER XXII

 

LUKE SECURES A NEW FRIEND

 

 

Luke was engaged in copying when Mr. Armstrong called. Though he

felt surprised to see his visitor, Luke did not exhibit it in

his manner, but welcomed him politely, and invited him into the

sitting-room.

 

"I have called to inquire the address of your friend, Mr. Roland

Reed," said Mr. Armstrong. Then, seeing a little uneasiness in

Luke's face, he added quickly: "Don't think I have the slightest

suspicion of him as regards the loss of the bonds. I wish only

to consult him, being myself at a loss what steps to take. He

may be able to help me."

 

Of course, Luke cheerfully complied with his request.

 

"Has anything been heard yet at the bank?" he asked.

 

"Nothing whatever. In fact, it does not appear to me that

any very serious efforts have been made to trace the robber

or robbers. I am left to undertake the task myself."

 

"If there is anything I can do to help you, Mr. Armstrong,

I shall be very glad to do so," said Luke.

 

"I will bear that in mind, and may call upon you. As yet, my

plans are not arranged. Perhaps Mr. Reed, whom I take to be an

experienced man of the world, may be able to offer a suggestion.

You seem to be at work," he added, with a look at the table at

which Luke had been sitting.

 

"Yes, sir, I am making out some bills for Mr. Reed."

 

"Is the work likely to occupy you long?"

 

"No, sir; I shall probably finish the work this week."

 

"And then your time will be at your disposal?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Pardon me the question, but I take it your means are limited?"

 

"Yes, sir; till recently they have been very limited--now, thanks

to Mr. Reed, who pays a liberal salary for his little girl's board,

we are very comfortable, and can get along very well, even if I do

not immediately find work."

 

"I am glad to hear that. If I should hear of any employment

likely to please you I will send you word."

 

"Thank you, sir."

 

"Would you object to leave home?"

 

"No, sir; there is little or no prospect in Groveton, and though

my mother would miss me, she now has company, and I should feel

easier about leaving her."

 

"If you can spare the time, won't you walk with me to the depot?"

 

"With great pleasure, sir," and Luke went into the adjoining

room to fetch his hat, at the same time apprising his mother that

he was going out.

 

On the way to the depot Mr. Armstrong managed to draw out Luke with

a view to getting better acquainted with him, and forming an idea

of his traits of character. Luke was quite aware of this, but talked

frankly and easily, having nothing to conceal.

 

"A thoroughly good boy, and a smart boy, too!" said Armstrong to

himself. "I must see if I can't give him a chance to rise. He seems

absolutely reliable."

 

On the way to the depot they met Randolph Duncan, who eyed them

curiously. He recognized Mr. Armstrong as the owner of the stolen

bonds--and was a good deal surprised to see him in such friendly

conversation with Luke. Knowing Mr. Armstrong to be a rich man,

he determined to claim acquaintance.

 

"How do you do, Mr. Armstrong?" he said, advancing with an

ingratiating smile.

 

"This is Randolph Duncan," said Luke--whom, by the way, Randolph

had not thought it necessary to notice.

 

"I believe I have met the young gentleman before," said Mr.

Armstrong politely, but not cordially.

 

"Yes, sir, I have seen you at our house," continued Randolph--"my

father is president of the Groveton Bank. He will be very glad to

see you. Won't you come home with me?"

 

"I have already called upon your father," said Mr. Armstrong.

 

"I am very sorry your bonds were stolen, Mr. Armstrong."

 

"Not more than I am, I assure you," returned Mr. Armstrong,

with a quizzical smile.

 

"Could I speak with you a moment in private, sir?" asked

Randolph, with a significant glance at Luke.

 

"Certainly; Luke, will you cross the road a minute? Now, young man!"

 

"Probably you don't know that the boy you are walking with was

suspected of taking the box from the bank."

 

"I have heard so; but he was acquitted of the charge, wasn't he?"

 

"My father still believes that he had something to do with it, and

so do I," added Randolph, with an emphatic nod of his head.

 

"Isn't he a friend of yours?" asked Mr. Armstrong quietly.

 

"No, indeed; we go to the same school, though father thinks

of sending me to an academy out of town soon, but there is no

friendship between us. He is only a working boy."

 

"Humph! That is very much against him," observed Mr. Armstrong,

but it was hard to tell from his tone whether he spoke in earnest

or ironically.

 

"Oh, well, he has to work, for the family is very poor. He's come

out in new clothes and a silver watch since the robbery. He says

the strange man from whom he received a tin box just like yours

gave them to him."

 

"And you think he didn't get them in that way?"

 

"Yes, I think they were leagued together. I feel sure that man

robbed the bank."

 

"Dear me, it does look suspicious!" remarked Armstrong.

 

"If Luke was guiding you to the train, I will take his place, sir."

 

"Thank you, but perhaps I had better keep him with me, and

cross-examine him a little. I suppose I can depend upon your

keeping your eyes upon him, and letting me know of any suspicious

conduct on his part?"

 

"Yes, sir, I will do it with pleasure," Randolph announced promptly.

He felt sure that he had excited Mr. Armstrong's suspicions, and

defeated any plans Luke might have cherished of getting in with

the capitalist.

 

"Have you anything more to communicate?" asked Mr. Armstrong,

politely.

 

"No, sir; I thought it best to put you on your guard."

 

"I quite appreciate your motives, Master Randolph. I shall keep

my eyes open henceforth, and hope in time to discover the real

perpetrator of the robbery. Now, Luke."

 

"I have dished you, young fellow!" thought Randolph, with a

triumphant glance at the unconscious Luke. He walked away

in high self-satisfaction.

 

"Luke," said Mr. Armstrong, as they resumed their walk, "Randolph

seems a very warm friend of yours."

 

"I never thought so," said Luke, with an answering smile. "I am

glad if he has changed."

 

"What arrangements do you think I have made with him?"

 

"I don't know, sir."

 

"I have asked him to keep his eye on you, and, if he sees anything

suspicious, to let me know."

 

Luke would have been disturbed by this remark, had not the smile

on Mr. Armstrong's face belied his words.

 

"Does he think you are in earnest, sir?"

 

"Oh, yes, he has no doubt of it. He warned me of your character,

and said he was quite sure that you and your friend Mr. Reed were

implicated in the bank robbery. I told him I would cross-examine

you, and see what I could find out. Randolph told me that you were

only a working boy, which I pronounced to be very much against you."

 

Luke laughed outright.

 

"I think you are fond of a practical joke, Mr. Armstrong," he said.

"You have fooled Randolph very neatly."

 

"I had an object in it," said Mr. Armstrong quietly. "I may have

occasion to employ you in the matter, and if so, it will be

well that no arrangement is suspected between us. Randolph will

undoubtedly inform his father of what happened this morning."

 

"As I said before, sir, I am ready to do anything that lies in

my power."

 

Luke could not help feeling curious as to the character of the

service he would be called upon to perform. He found it difficult

to hazard a conjecture, but one thing at least seemed clear, and