"
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.
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