University of Virginia Library

16. CHAPTER XVI.
A DENIAL.

"You seem to be in an awful hurry to see me,'' said Luke, grumbling. "I was just getting to sleep.''

"I've lost my pocketbook,'' said Harry. "Have you seen it?''

"Do you mean to charge me with taking it?'' demanded Luke.

"I haven't said anything of the sort,'' said Harry; "but you were with me, and I thought you might have seen it drop out of my pocket.''

"Of course I haven't seen it. Was that all you woke me up about?''

"Is that all? You talk as if it was a little thing losing thirty-three dollars.''

"Thirty-three dollars!'' repeated Luke, pretending to be surprised.

"You'd better look in the road, or you might have left it in the store.''

"No, I didn't. I bought something there, but I remember distinctly putting back my pocketbook before I went out.''

"Well,'' said Luke, yawning, "I wish I could help you; but I can't. Good-night.''

"What success, Harry?'' inquired Mr. Leavitt, who had deferred going to bed in order to hear his report.

"None at all,'' answered Harry, and related his interview with Luke.

"Is there anything by which you can identify any of the bills?''

"Yes,'' answered Harry, with sudden recollection,

"I dropped a penful of ink on one of the bills—a two-dollar note—just in the center. I had been writing a letter, and the bill lay on the table nearby.''

"Good!'' said Mr. Leavitt. "Now, supposing Luke has taken this money, how is he likely to spend it?''

"At the tailor's, most likely. He is always talking about new clothes; but lately he hasn't had any because Merrill shut down on him on account of an unpaid bill.''

"Then you had better see Merrill privately, and ask him to take particular notice of any bills that Luke pays him.''

"If Luke is innocent, I shall feel ashamed of having suspected him.''

"Innocence must often be suspected, or guilt would never be detected. It is the only way to get on the track of the missing bills.''

Harry saw that this was reasonable, and decided to call on Merrill the next day. In a few words he communicated his loss, and the fact that the only person with him at the time was Luke Harrison.

"I haven't much opinion of Luke. He owes me a considerable bill.''

"He prefers your clothes to Hayden's, and if he has the money, he will probably come here and spend some of it.''

"Suppose he does, what do you want me to do?''

"To examine the bills he pays you, and if you find an ink spot in the center of one, let me know.''

"I understand. I think I can manage it.''

"My money was mostly in ones and twos.''

"That may help you a little. I will bear it in mind.''

Two days later Luke Harrison met Harry.

"Have you found your money, Walton?'' he asked.

"No, and I am afraid I never shall,'' said our hero, shaking his head.

"What do you think has become of it?''

"That's just what I would like to find out,'' said Harry. "I suppose that I must have been very careless.''

"Of course you were. I never lose any money. Are you going to do anything about it?''

"What can I do about it?''

"He's given it up,'' said Luke to himself. "I think I can venture to use some of it now. I'll go round to Merrill's this evening, and see what he's got in the way of pants.''

Accordingly he strolled into Merrill's that evening

"Got any new cloths in, Merrill?'' asked Luke.

"You're owing me a bill.''

"How much is it?''

"Some over thirty dollars.''

"I can't pay it all, but I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll pay you fifteen dollars on account, and you can make me a new pair of pants. Will that answer?''

"All right. Of course, I'd rather you'd pay the whole bill. Still I want to be accommodating.''

"Let me look at your cloths.''

The tailor displayed a variety of cloths, one of which suited Luke's fancy.

"I like that,'' he said. "Make me a pair off of that.''

Luke gave directions, and then took a roll of bills from his pocket.

"Here's fifteen dollars,'' he said. "Just credit me with that on the bill.''

Merrill proceeded to count the money, which consisted of ones and twos, and instantly came to the conclusion that it was from Harry's missing pocketbook, particularly as he came upon the identical note with the blot in the center.

"When will you have the pants done?''

"You may call round in two or three days.''

"Just make 'em in style, Merrill, and I'll send all my friends here.''

"My young friend,'' soliloquized the tailor, watching his exit, "you have walked into my trap neatly. Coleman''—turning to a young man present at the time—"did you see Luke Harrison pay me this money?''

"Yes; to be sure.''

"Do you see this blot on one of the bills a two?''

"I don't see what there is strange about that. Anybody might get ink on a bill, mightn't he?''

"Of course.''

"The bill's just as good, isn't it?''

"Of course it is.''

Coleman was puzzled. He could not understand why he should have been called upon to notice such a trifle; but the tailor had his reasons, though he did not choose to divulge them just at present.