But I thought you were
in Europe."
"So I was till recently. I came home sooner than I expected."
Luke was not surprised. He supposed that intelligence of
the robbery had hastened Mr. Armstrong's return.
"I suppose it was the news of your box that hurried you home,"
Luke ventured to say.
"No, I hadn't heard of it till my arrival in New York can you
tell me anything about the matter? Has the box been found?"
"Not that I have heard, sir."
"Was, or is, anybody suspected?"
"I was suspected," answered Luke, smiling, "but I don't think
any one suspects me now."
"You!" exclaimed the capitalist, in evident astonishment.
"What could induce any one to suspect a boy like you of robbing
a bank?"
"There was some ground for it," said Luke candidly. "A tin box,
of the same appearance as the one lost, was seen in our house.
I was arrested on suspicion, and tried."
"You don't say so! How did you prove your innocence?"
"The gentleman who gave me the box in charge appeared and
testified in my favor. But for that I am afraid I should have
fared badly."
"That is curious. Who was the gentleman?"
Luke gave a rapid history of the circumstances already known
to the reader.
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