Melinda Sprague enjoyed the sudden celebrity she had achieved
as the original discoverer of the thief who had plundered the bank.
She was inclined to believe that Luke was guilty, because it
enhanced her own importance.
"Most people call Luke a good boy," she said, "but there was
always something about him that made me suspicious.
"There was something in his expression--I can't tell you
what--that set me to thinkin' all wasn't right. 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.
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