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.
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