Every head was turned, and every one present looked with eager
curiosity at the mysterious stranger. They saw a dark-
complexioned, slender, but wiry man, above the middle height,
with a pair of keen black eyes scanning, not without sarcastic
amusement, the faces turned toward him.
Luke recognized him at once.
"Thank God!" he ejaculated, with a feeling of intense relief.
"Now my innocence will be made known."
Squire Duncan was quite taken aback. His face betrayed
his surprise and disappointment.
"I don't know you," he said, after a pause.
"Perhaps not, Mr. Duncan," answered the stranger, in a
significant tone, "but I know you."
"Were you the man who gave this tin box to the defendant?"
"Wouldn't it be well, since this is a court, to swear me as a
witness?" asked Roland Reed, quietly.
"Of course, of course," said the squire, rather annoyed to be
reminded of his duty by this stranger.
This being done, Mr. Beane questioned the witness in the interest
of his client.
"Do you know anything about the tin box found in the possession
of Luke Larkin?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Did you commit it to his charge for safe-keeping?"
"I did.
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