"
"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.
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