r this, Melinda?"

w-I was doing some work for her-

open last night, Miss

ow when it

it at all," said L

examining the safe, the

ave been taken s

it m

pened more than a fortnight since, it would have been strange in that case that the box had not been missed sooner at the bank. Luke longed to have Miss Sprague go, that he might confer wit

of the robber dis

oever he is," remarked Melinda. "When he's fou

outside party could open the safe," sai

tand," said Melinda, shaking her hea

out who took the bo

belong to

nk, thinking they would be safer than in his own house. Little did he k

hink any one in Groveton robb

There's those that we know well, or think we do, but

?" asked Luke, considerably amused at

air of one who knew a great deal more than she chose t

, she thought, had not heard of the robbery, an

, after the spinster had gone. "Do you thin

e was one, to leave the box in the same village, in the charge of a boy. It would have been more natu

ughtfully. "There is certainly a mystery about our

and the widow had not betrayed that confusion and embarrassment which might have been anticipated when the theft was announced, but she had noticed the look exchanged between them, and she was sure it mean

ink it my duty to tell all I know. At any rate, they will have to tell how the box came in

ed, and they were now seated in the bank parlor. There were three of them present, all of whom resided

d went up to the little window p

can in the ban

Miss S

ke to speak

He is presiding at

ike to see him,"

d no particular respect or regard for Miss Sprague, being quit

nodding her head with mysterious significance. "T

t it, Miss Sprague?" deman

e I don't; but I've g

e Dun

ounts to anything," th

Squire Duncan,

ter a brief conference with Prince Duncan he retur

ith an air of conscious import

ssociates were sitting

rmal curtsy and s

communicate to us in reference to the loss the bank ha

d tell you all I knew, Squire Du

Sprague. Now, wha

st was a tin bo

es

iss Sprague, indicating a le

es

as ther

nment

is such a box," said

be expeditious,

r downstairs, went up into her chamber. I don't think she heard me, for when I entered the chamber and spoke to

ther in surprise, and Squire D

rs and bonds," proceeded Melinda, "and, as I had always looke

Larkin about the tin

once, and I concluded she

not say anyt

now to tell her about

to affect her?"

s there, too-looked a

hey were thinking of

tory, and the directors

a search-warrant and search Mrs. Larkin's cottag