"
Coleman had a bright thought, which he proceeded to carry
into execution.
He left the office and went upstairs. He was absent long
enough to visit the chamber which he and Luke had occupied
together. Then he reported to the office again.
"The boy is not dressed," he said, cheerfully. "However, he
has given me an order for the money, which, of course, will do
as well."
He handed a paper, the loose leaf of a memorandum book,
on which were written in pencil these words:
"Give my guardian, Mr. Coleman, the money I left on deposit
at the office. LUKE LARKIN."
"That makes it all right, doesn't it?" asked Coleman, jauntily.
"Now, if you'll be kind enough to hand me my money at once, I'll
be off."
"It won't do, Mr. Coleman," said the clerk. "How am I to
know that the boy wrote this?"
"Don't you see his signature?"
The clerk turned to the hotel register, where Luke had enrolled
his name.
"The handwriting is not the same," he said, coldly.
"Oh, confound it!" exclaimed Coleman, testily. "Can't you
understand that writing with a pencil makes a difference?"
"I understand," said the clerk, "that you are trying to get
money that does not belong to you.
Pages:
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187