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.
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