old lady.

"Suppose a servant had taken the money, and left the pocketbook
somewhere where Harold found it----"

"Even in that case, why should he put it in your pocket?"

"He does not like me. He might wish to throw suspicion upon me."

"That would be very mean."

"I think it would, but still he might not be a thief."

"I would sooner excuse a thief. It is certainly disreputable to steal,
but it is not necessarily mean or contemptible. Trying to throw
suspicion on an innocent person would be both."

Luke remained silent, for nothing occurred to him to say. He did not
wish to add to Mrs. Merton's resentment against Harold.

After a moment's thought the old lady continued: "Leave the pocketbook
with me, and say nothing about what has happened till I give you
leave."

"Very well."

Mrs. Merton took the pocketbook, replaced it in the drawer, and
carefully locked it.

"Someone must have a key that will open this drawer," she said. "I
should like to know who it is."

"Do you think anyone will open it again?" asked Luke.

"No; it will be supposed that I will no longer keep money there. I
think, however, I will sooner or later find out who opened it."

"I hope it won't prove to be Harold."

"I hope so, too. I would not like to think so near a relative a thief.
Well, Luke, I won't detain you here any longer. You may come
to-morrow, as usual."

"It is lucky Mrs. Merton has confidence in me," thought Luke.
"Otherwise she might have supposed me to be the thief. What a mean
fellow Harold Tracy is, to try to have an innocent boy suspected of
such a crime."

As he was going out of the front door, Mrs. Tracy entered.

She cast a withering glance at Luke.

"Have you seen my aunt this morning?" she asked.

"Yes, madam."

"I wonder you had the face to stand in her presence."

It must be said, in justification of Mrs. Tracy, that she really
believed that Luke had stolen Mrs. Merton's money.

"I know of no reason why I should not," said Luke, calmly. "Will you
be kind enough to explain what you mean?"

"You know well enough," retorted Mrs. Tracy, nodding her head
venomously.

"Mrs. Merton appears to be well satisfied with me," said Luke,
quietly. "When she is not, she will tell me so, and I shall never come
again."

"You are the most brazen boy I know of. Why it is that my aunt is so
infatuated with you, I can't for my part, pretend to understand."

"If you will allow me, I will bid you good-morning," s