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.
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