"Mr. Armstrong?" he said inquiringly.
"That's my name. You, I take it, are Roland Reed."
"Yes."
"No doubt you wonder why I sent for you," said Mr. Armstrong.
"Is it about the robbery of the Groveton Bank?"
"You have guessed it. You know, I suppose, that I am the
owner of the missing box of bonds?"
"So I was told. Have you obtained any clue?"
"I have not had time. I have only just returned from Europe.
I have done nothing except visit Groveton."
"What led you to send for me? Pardon my curiosity, but I
can't help asking."
"An interview with a protege of yours, Luke Larkin."
"You know that Luke was arrested on suspicion of being
connected with the robbery, though there are those who pay me
the complinment of thinking that I may have had something to
do with it."
"I think you had as much to do with it as Luke Larkin,"
said Armstrong, deliberately.
"I had--just as much," said Reed, with a smile. "Luke is a
good boy, Mr. Armstrong."
"I quite agree with you. If I had a son I should like him
to resemble Luke."
"Give me your hand on that, Mr. Armstrong," said Roland
Reed, impulsively. "Excuse my impetuosity, but I've taken a
fancy to that boy.
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