"
The sick man looked at Luke with a puzzled expression.
"You are very kind," he said, after a pause. "What is your name?"
"Luke Larkin."
"And you know Mr. Armstrong?"
"Yes. I am his messenger."
"But how came he to send a boy so far? It is not like him."
Luke laughed.
"No doubt you think him unwise," he said. "The fact was,
he took me for lack of a better. Besides, the mission was a
confidential one, and he thought he could trust me, young as I am."
"You say you have a message for me?" queried Harding.
"Yes!"
"What is it?"
"First, can I do something for your comfort? Can't I get
you some breakfast?"
"The message first."
"I will give it at once. Do you remember purchasing some
government bonds for Mr. Armstrong a short time before you
left his employment?"
"Yes. What of them?"
"Have you preserved the numbers of the bonds?" Luke inquired, anxiously.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because Mr. Armstrong has lost his list, and they have been stolen.
Till he learns the numbers, he will stand no chance of identifying
or recovering them."
"I am sure I have the numbers. Feel in the pocket of my coat
yonder, and you will find a wallet.
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