Luke Walton Part 45

Tracy, as her aunt seated herself at the evening repast.

"Nothing positive," answered the old lady, significantly.

"Have you discovered anything at all?"

"I have discovered who is not the thief," said Mrs. Merton.

"Then you had suspicions?"

"No definite suspicions."

"Wouldn't it be well to talk the matter freely over with me? Something might be suggested."

"I beg your pardon, Louisa, but I think it would be well to banish this disagreeable matter from our table talk. If I should stand in need of advice, I will consult you."

"I don't want to obtrude my advice, but I will venture to suggest that you call in a private detective."

Harold looked alarmed.

"I wouldn't bother with a detective," he said. "They don't know half as much as they pretend."

"I am inclined to agree with Harold," said Mrs. Merton. "I will act as my own detective."

Save for the compliment to Harold, Mrs. Tracy was not pleased with this speech of her aunt.

"At any rate," she said, "you would do well to keep a strict watch over that boy, Luke Walton."

"I shall," answered the old lady, simply.

Mrs. Tracy looked triumphant.

Warner kept silent, but a transient smile pa.s.sed over his face as he saw how neatly Aunt Eliza had deceived his astute sister.

"What do you think, Warner?" asked Mrs. Tracy, desirous of additional support.

"I think Aunt Eliza will get at the truth sooner or later. Of course I will do anything to help her, but I don't want to interfere."

"Don't you think she ought to discharge Luke?"

"If she did, she would have no chance of finding out whether he was guilty or not."

"That is true. I did not think of that."

"Warner is more sensible than any of you," said Mrs. Merton.

"I am glad you have changed your opinion of him," said Mrs. Tracy, sharply.

She was now beginning to be jealous of her scapegrace brother.

"So am I," said Warner, smiling. "At the same time I don't blame aunt for her former opinion."

The next morning Harold was about leaving the house, when Felicie, the French maid, came up softly, and said: "Master Harold, may I have a word with you?"

"I am in a hurry," said Harold, impatiently.

"It is about the stolen money," continued Felicie, in her soft voice.

"You had better listen to what I have to say. I have found out who took it."

Harold's heart gave a sudden thump, and his face indicated dismay.

CHAPTER x.x.xII

HAROLD AND FELICIE MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT

"You have found out who took the money?" stammered Harold.

"Yes."

"I didn't think it would be found out so soon," said Harold, trying to recover his equanimity. "Of course it was taken by Luke Walton."

"You are quite mistaken," said Felicie. "Luke Walton did not take it."

Harold's heart gave another thump. He scented danger, but remained silent.

"You don't ask me who took the money?" said Felicie, after a pause.

"Because I don't believe you know," returned Harold, "You've probably got some suspicion?"

"I have more than that. The person who took the money was seen at his work."

Harold turned pale.

"There is no use in mincing matters," continued Felicie. "You took the money."

"What do you mean by such impertinence?" gasped Harold.

"It is no impertinence. If you doubt my knowledge, I'll tell you the particulars. You opened the drawer with one of a bunch of keys which you took from your pocket, took out a morocco pocketbook, opened it and counted the roll of bills which it contained, then put the pocketbook into your pocket, locked the drawer and left the room."

"That's a fine story," said Harold, forcing himself to speak. "I dare say all this happened, only you were the one who opened the drawer."

"I saw it all through a crack in the half-open door," continued Felicie, not taking the trouble to answer his accusation. "If you want further proof, suppose you feel in your pocket. I presume the pocketbook is there at this moment."

Instinctively Harold put his hand into his pocket, then suddenly withdrew it, as if his fingers were burned, for the pocketbook was there as Felicie had said.

"There is one thing more," said Felicie, as she drew from her pocket a bunch of keys. "I found this bunch of keys in your room this morning."