Alger Horatio Jr.
Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck
CHAPTER XX
LUKE TALKS WITH A CAPITALIST
Luke worked steadily on the task given him by his new patron. During the first week he averaged three hours a day, with an additional two hours on Saturday, making, in all, twenty hours, making, at thirty cents per hour, six dollars. This Luke considered fair pay, considering that he was attending school and maintaining good rank in his classes.
"Why don't we see more of you, Luke?" asked his friend Linton one day. "You seem to stay in the house all the time."
"Because I am at work, Linny. Last week I made six dollars."
"How?" asked Linton, surprised.
"By copying and making out bills for Mr. Reed."
"That is better than being janitor at a dollar a week."
"Yes, but I have to work a good deal harder."
"I am afraid you are working too hard."
"I shouldn't like to keep it up, but it is only for a short time. If I gave up school I should find it easy enough, but I don't want to do that."
"No, I hope you won't; I should miss you, and so would all the boys."
"Including Randolph Duncan?"
"I don't know about that. By the way, I hear that Randolph is spending a good deal of his time at Tony Denton's billiard saloon."
"I am sorry to hear it. It hasn't a very good reputation."
* * * * * * * * *
One day Luke happened to be at the depot at the time of the arrival of the train from New York. A small, elderly man stepped upon the platform whom Luke immediately recognized as John Armstrong, the owner of the missing box of bonds. He was surprised to see him, having supposed that he was still in Europe. Mr. Armstrong, as already stated, had boarded for several weeks during the preceding summer at Groveton.
He looked at Luke with a half-glance of recognition.
"Haven't I seen you before?" he said. "What is your name?"
"My name is Luke Larkin. I saw you several times last summer."
"Then you know me?"
"Yes, sir, you are Mr. Armstrong. But I thought you were in Europe."
"So I was till recently. I came home sooner than I expected."
Luke was not surprised. He supposed that intelligence of the robbery had hastened Mr. Armstrong's return.
"I suppose it was the news of your box that hurried you home," Luke ventured to say.
"No, I hadn't heard of it till my arrival in New York can you tell me anything about the matter? Has the box been found?"
"Not that I have heard, sir."
"Was, or is, anybody suspected?"
"I was suspected," answered Luke, smiling, "but I don't think any one suspects me now."
"You!" exclaimed the capitalist, in evident astonishment. "What could induce any one to suspect a boy like you of robbing a bank?"
"There was some ground for it," said Luke candidly. "A tin box, of the same appearance as the one lost, was seen in our house. I was arrested on suspicion, and tried."
"You don't say so! How did you prove your innocence?"
"The gentleman who gave me the box in charge appeared and testified in my favor. But for that I am afraid I should have fared badly."
"That is curious. Who was the gentleman?"
Luke gave a rapid history of the circumstances already known to the reader.
"I am glad to hear this, being principally interested in the matter. However, I never should have suspected you. I claim to be something of a judge of character and physiognomy, and your appearance is in your favor. Your mother is a widow, I believe?"
"Yes, sir."
"And you are the janitor of the schoolhouse?"
Mr. Armstrong was a close observer, and though having large interests of his own, made himself familiar with the affairs of those whom others in his position would wholly have ignored.
"I was janitor," Luke replied, "but when Mr. Duncan became a member of the school committee he removed me."
"For what reason?" asked Mr. Armstrong quickly.
"I don't think he ever liked me, and his son Randolph and I have never been good friends."
"You mean Mr. Duncan, the president of the bank?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Why are not you and his son friends?"
"I don't know, sir. He has always been in the habit of sneering at me as a poor boy—a working boy—and unworthy to associate with him."
"You don't look like a poor boy. You are better dressed than I was at your age. Besides, you have a watch, I judge from the chain."
"Yes, sir; but all that is only lately. I have found a good friend who has been very kind to me."
"Who is he?"
"Roland Reed, the owner of the tin box I referred to."
"Roland Reed! I never heard the name. Where is he from?"
"From the West, I believe, though at present he is staying in New York."
"How much were you paid as janitor?"
"A dollar a week."
"That is very little. Is the amount important to you?"
"No, sir, not now." And then Luke gave particulars of the good fortune of the family in having secured a profitable boarder, and, furthermore, in obtaining for himself profitable employment.
"This Mr. Reed seems to be a kind-hearted and liberal man. I am glad for your sake. I sympathize with poor boys. Can you guess the reason?"
"Were you a poor boy yourself, sir?"
"I was, and a very poor boy. When I was a boy of thirteen and fourteen I ran around in overalls and bare-footed. But I don't think it did me any harm," the old man added, musingly. "It kept me from squandering money on foolish pleasures, for I had none to spend; it made me industrious and self-reliant, and when I obtained employment it made me anxious to please my employer."
"I hope it will have the same effect on me, sir."
"I hope so, and I think so. What sort of a boy is this son of Mr. Duncan?"
"If his father were not a rich man, I think he would be more agreeable. As it is, he seems to have a high idea of his own importance."
"So his father has the reputation of being a rich man, eh?"
"Yes, sir. We have always considered him so."
"Without knowing much about it?"
"Yes, sir; we judged from his style of living, and from his being president of a bank."
"That amounts to nothing. His salary as president is only moderate."
"I am sorry you should have met with such a loss, Mr. Armstrong."
"So am I, but it won't cripple me. Still, a man doesn't like to lose twenty-five thousand dollars and over."
"Was there as much as that in the box, sir?" asked Luke, in surprise.
"Yes, I don't know why I need make any secret of it. There were twenty-five thousand dollars in government bonds, and these, at present rates, are worth in the neighborhood of thirty thousand dollars."
"That seems to me a great deal of money," said Luke.
"It is, but I can spare it without any diminution of comfort. I don't feel, however, like pocketing the loss without making a strong effort to recover the money. I didn't expect to meet immediately upon arrival the only person hitherto suspected of accomplishing the robbery."
He smiled as he spoke, and Luke saw that, so far as Mr. Armstrong was concerned, he had no occasion to feel himself under suspicion.
"Are you intending to remain long in Groveton, Mr. Armstrong?" he asked.
"I can't say. I have to see Mr. Duncan about the tin box, and concoct some schemes looking to the discovery of the person or persons concerned in its theft. Have there been any suspicious persons in the village during the last few weeks?"
"Not that I know of, sir."
"What is the character of the men employed in the bank, the cashier and teller?"
"They seem to be very steady young men, sir. I don't think they have been suspected."
"The most dangerous enemies are those who are inside, for they have exceptional opportunities for wrongdoing. Moreover, they have the best chance to cover up their tracks."
"I don't think there is anything to charge against Mr. Roper and Mr.
Barclay. They are both young married men, and live in a quiet way."
"Never speculate in Wall Street, eh? One of the soberest, steadiest bank cashiers I ever knew, who lived plainly and frugally, and was considered by all to be a model man, wrecked the man he was connected with—a small country banker—and is now serving a term in State's prison. The cause was Wall Street speculation. This is more dangerous even than extravagant habits of living."
A part of this conversation took place on the platform of the railroad-station, and a part while they were walking in the direction of the hotel. They had now reached the village inn, and, bidding our hero good morning, Mr. Armstrong entered, and registered his name.
Ten minutes later he set out for the house of Prince Duncan.
CHAPTER XXI
THE DREADED INTERVIEW
Mr. Duncan had been dreading the inevitable interview with Mr. Armstrong. He knew him to be a sharp man of business, clear-sighted and keen, and he felt that this part of the conference would be an awkward and embarrassing one. He had tried to nerve himself for the interview, and thought he had succeeded, but when the servant brought Mr. Armstrong's card he felt a sinking at his heart, and it was in a tone that betrayed nervousness that he said: "Bring the gentleman in."
"My dear sir," he said, extending his hand and vigorously shaking the hand of his new arrival, "this is an unexpected pleasure."
"Unexpected? Didn't you get my letter from London?" said Mr. Armstrong, suffering his hand to be shaken, but not returning the arm pressure.
"Certainly—"
"In which I mentioned my approaching departure?"
"Yes, certainly; but I didn't know on what day to expect you.
Pray sit down. It seems pleasant to see you home safe and well."
"Humph!" returned Armstrong, in a tone by no means as cordial.
"Have you found my box of bonds?"
"Not yet, but—"
"Permit me to ask you why you allowed me to remain ignorant of so important a matter? I was indebted to the public prints, to which my attention was directed by an acquaintance, for a piece of news which should have been communicated to me at once."
"My dear sir, I intended to write you as soon as I heard of your arrival. I did not know till this moment that you were in America."
"You might have inferred it from the intimation in my last letter.
Why did you not cable me the news?"
"Because," replied Duncan awkwardly, "I did not wish to spoil your pleasure, and thought from day to day that the box would turn up."
"You were very sparing of my feelings," said Armstrong, dryly— "too much so. I am not a child or an old woman, and it was your imperative duty, in a matter so nearly affecting my interests, to apprise me at once."
"I may have erred in judgment," said Duncan meekly, "but I beg you to believe that I acted as I supposed for the best."
"Leaving that out of consideration at present, let me know what steps you have taken to find out how the box was spirited away, or who was concerned in the robbery."
"I think that you will admit that I acted promptly," said the bank president complacently, "when I say that within twenty-four hours I arrested a party on suspicion of being implicated in the robbery, and tried him myself."
"Who was the party?" asked the capitalist, not betraying the knowledge he had already assessed on the subject.
"A boy in the village named Luke Larkin."
"Humph! What led you to think a boy had broken into the bank?
That does not strike me as very sharp on your part."
"I had positive evidence that the boy in question had a tin box concealed in his house—in his mother's trunk. His poverty made it impossible that the box could be his, and I accordingly had him arrested."
"Well, what was the result of the trial?"
"I was obliged to let him go, though by no means satisfied of his innocence."
"Why?"
"A man—a stranger—a very suspicious-looking person, presented himself, and swore that the box was his, and that he had committed it to the charge of this boy."
"Well, that seems tolerably satisfactory, doesn't it?—that is, if he furnished evidence confirming his statement. Did he open the box in court?"
"Yes."
"And the bonds were not there?"
"The bonds were not there only some papers, and what appeared to be certificates of stock."
"Yet you say you are still suspicious of this man and boy."
"Yes."
"Explain your grounds."
"I thought," replied the president, rather meekly, "he might have taken the bonds from the box and put in other papers."
"That was not very probable. Moreover, he would hardly be likely to leave the box in the village in the charge of a boy."
"The boy might have been his confederate."
"What is the boy's reputation in the village? Has he ever been detected in any act of dishonesty?"
"Not that I know of, but there is one suspicious circumstance to which I would like to call your attention."
"Well?"
"Since this happened Luke has come out in new clothes, and wears a silver watch. The family is very poor, and he could not have had money to buy them unless he obtained some outside aid."
"What, then, do you infer?"
"That he has been handsomely paid for his complicity in the robbery."
"What explanation does he personally give of this unusual expenditure?"
"He admits that they were paid for by this suspicious stranger."
"Has the stranger—what is his name, by the way?"
"Roland Reed, he calls himself, but this, probably, is not his real name."
"Well, has this Reed made his appearance in the village since?"
"If so, he has come during the night, and has not been seen by any of us."
"I can't say I share your suspicion against Mr. Reed. Your theory that he took out the bonds and substituted other papers is far-fetched and improbable. As to the boy, I consider him honest and reliable."
"Do you know Luke Larkin?" asked Mr. Duncan quickly.
"Last summer I observed him somewhat, and never saw anything wrong in him."
"Appearances are deceitful," said the bank president sententiously.
"So I have heard," returned Mr. Armstrong dryly. "But let us go on.
What other steps have you taken to discover the lost box?"
"I have had the bank vaults thoroughly searched," answered Duncan, trying to make the best of a weak situation.
"Of course. It is hardly to be supposed that it has been mislaid. Even if it had been it would have turned up before this. Did you discover any traces of the bank being forcibly entered?"
"No; but the burglar may have covered his tracks."
"There would have been something to show an entrance. What is the character of the cashier and teller."
"I know nothing to their disadvantage."
"Then neither have fallen under suspicion?"
"Not as yet," answered the president pointedly.
"It is evident," thought John Armstrong, "that Mr. Duncan is interested in diverting suspicion from some quarter. He is willing that these men should incur suspicion, though it is clear he has none in his own mind."
"Well, what else have you done? Have you employed detectives?" asked Armstrong, impatiently.
"I was about to do so," answered Mr. Duncan, in some embarrassment, "when I heard that you were coming home, and I thought I would defer that matter for your consideration."
"Giving time in the meanwhile for the thief or thieves to dispose of their booty? This is very strange conduct, Mr. Duncan."
"I acted for the best," said Prince Duncan.
"You have singular ideas of what is best, then," observed Mr. Armstrong coldly. "It may be too late to remedy your singular neglect, but I will now take the matter out of your hands, and see what I can do."
"Will you employ detectives?" asked Duncan, with evident uneasiness.
Armstrong eyed him sharply, and with growing suspicion.
"I can't say what I will do."
"Have you the numbers of the missing bonds?" asked Duncan anxiously.
"I am not sure. I am afraid I have not."
Was it imagination, or did the bank president look relieved at this statement? John Armstrong made a mental note of this.
After eliciting the particulars of the disappearance of the bonds, John Armstrong rose to go. He intended to return to the city, but he made up his mind to see Luke first. He wanted to inquire the address of Roland Reed.
CHAPTER XXII
LUKE SECURES A NEW FRIEND
Luke was engaged in copying when Mr. Armstrong called. Though he felt surprised to see his visitor, Luke did not exhibit it in his manner, but welcomed him politely, and invited him into the sitting-room.
"I have called to inquire the address of your friend, Mr. Roland Reed," said Mr. Armstrong. Then, seeing a little uneasiness in Luke's face, he added quickly: "Don't think I have the slightest suspicion of him as regards the loss of the bonds. I wish only to consult him, being myself at a loss what steps to take. He may be able to help me."
Of course, Luke cheerfully complied with his request.
"Has anything been heard yet at the bank?" he asked.
"Nothing whatever. In fact, it does not appear to me that any very serious efforts have been made to trace the robber or robbers. I am left to undertake the task myself."
"If there is anything I can do to help you, Mr. Armstrong, I shall be very glad to do so," said Luke.
"I will bear that in mind, and may call upon you. As yet, my plans are not arranged. Perhaps Mr. Reed, whom I take to be an experienced man of the world, may be able to offer a suggestion. You seem to be at work," he added, with a look at the table at which Luke had been sitting.
"Yes, sir, I am making out some bills for Mr. Reed."
"Is the work likely to occupy you long?"
"No, sir; I shall probably finish the work this week."
"And then your time will be at your disposal?"
"Yes, sir."
"Pardon me the question, but I take it your means are limited?"
"Yes, sir; till recently they have been very limited—now, thanks to Mr. Reed, who pays a liberal salary for his little girl's board, we are very comfortable, and can get along very well, even if I do not immediately find work."
"I am glad to hear that. If I should hear of any employment likely to please you I will send you word."
"Thank you, sir."
"Would you object to leave home?"
"No, sir; there is little or no prospect in Groveton, and though my mother would miss me, she now has company, and I should feel easier about leaving her."
"If you can spare the time, won't you walk with me to the depot?"
"With great pleasure, sir," and Luke went into the adjoining room to fetch his hat, at the same time apprising his mother that he was going out.
On the way to the depot Mr. Armstrong managed to draw out Luke with a view to getting better acquainted with him, and forming an idea of his traits of character. Luke was quite aware of this, but talked frankly and easily, having nothing to conceal.
"A thoroughly good boy, and a smart boy, too!" said Armstrong to himself. "I must see if I can't give him a chance to rise. He seems absolutely reliable."
On the way to the depot they met Randolph Duncan, who eyed them curiously. He recognized Mr. Armstrong as the owner of the stolen bonds—and was a good deal surprised to see him in such friendly conversation with Luke. Knowing Mr. Armstrong to be a rich man, he determined to claim acquaintance.
"How do you do, Mr. Armstrong?" he said, advancing with an ingratiating smile.
"This is Randolph Duncan," said Luke—whom, by the way, Randolph had not thought it necessary to notice.
"I believe I have met the young gentleman before," said Mr.
Armstrong politely, but not cordially.
"Yes, sir, I have seen you at our house," continued Randolph—"my father is president of the Groveton Bank. He will be very glad to see you. Won't you come home with me?"
"I have already called upon your father," said Mr. Armstrong.
"I am very sorry your bonds were stolen, Mr. Armstrong."
"Not more than I am, I assure you," returned Mr. Armstrong, with a quizzical smile.
"Could I speak with you a moment in private, sir?" asked Randolph, with a significant glance at Luke.
"Certainly; Luke, will you cross the road a minute? Now, young man!"
"Probably you don't know that the boy you are walking with was suspected of taking the box from the bank."
"I have heard so; but he was acquitted of the charge, wasn't he?"
"My father still believes that he had something to do with it, and so do I," added Randolph, with an emphatic nod of his head.
"Isn't he a friend of yours?" asked Mr. Armstrong quietly.
"No, indeed; we go to the same school, though father thinks of sending me to an academy out of town soon, but there is no friendship between us. He is only a working boy."
"Humph! That is very much against him," observed Mr. Armstrong, but it was hard to tell from his tone whether he spoke in earnest or ironically.
"Oh, well, he has to work, for the family is very poor. He's come out in new clothes and a silver watch since the robbery. He says the strange man from whom he received a tin box just like yours gave them to him."
"And you think he didn't get them in that way?"
"Yes, I think they were leagued together. I feel sure that man robbed the bank."
"Dear me, it does look suspicious!" remarked Armstrong.
"If Luke was guiding you to the train, I will take his place, sir."
"Thank you, but perhaps I had better keep him with me, and cross-examine him a little. I suppose I can depend upon your keeping your eyes upon him, and letting me know of any suspicious conduct on his part?"
"Yes, sir, I will do it with pleasure," Randolph announced promptly. He felt sure that he had excited Mr. Armstrong's suspicions, and defeated any plans Luke might have cherished of getting in with the capitalist.
"Have you anything more to communicate?" asked Mr. Armstrong, politely.
"No, sir; I thought it best to put you on your guard."
"I quite appreciate your motives, Master Randolph. I shall keep my eyes open henceforth, and hope in time to discover the real perpetrator of the robbery. Now, Luke."
"I have dished you, young fellow!" thought Randolph, with a triumphant glance at the unconscious Luke. He walked away in high self-satisfaction.
"Luke," said Mr. Armstrong, as they resumed their walk, "Randolph seems a very warm friend of yours."
"I never thought so," said Luke, with an answering smile. "I am glad if he has changed."
"What arrangements do you think I have made with him?"
"I don't know, sir."
"I have asked him to keep his eye on you, and, if he sees anything suspicious, to let me know."
Luke would have been disturbed by this remark, had not the smile on Mr. Armstrong's face belied his words.
"Does he think you are in earnest, sir?"
"Oh, yes, he has no doubt of it. He warned me of your character, and said he was quite sure that you and your friend Mr. Reed were implicated in the bank robbery. I told him I would cross-examine you, and see what I could find out. Randolph told me that you were only a working boy, which I pronounced to be very much against you."
Luke laughed outright.
"I think you are fond of a practical joke, Mr. Armstrong," he said.
"You have fooled Randolph very neatly."
"I had an object in it," said Mr. Armstrong quietly. "I may have occasion to employ you in the matter, and if so, it will be well that no arrangement is suspected between us. Randolph will undoubtedly inform his father of what happened this morning."
"As I said before, sir, I am ready to do anything that lies in my power."
Luke could not help feeling curious as to the character of the service he would be called upon to perform. He found it difficult to hazard a conjecture, but one thing at least seemed clear, and this was that Mr. Armstrong was disposed to be his friend, and as he was a rich man his friendship was likely to amount to some thing.
They had now reached the depot, and in ten minutes the train was due.
"Don't wait if you wish to get to work, Luke," said Mr.
Armstrong kindly.
"My work can wait; it is nearly finished," said Luke.
The ten minutes passed rapidly, and with a cordial good-bye, the capitalist entered the train, leaving Luke to return to his modest home in good spirits.
"I have two influential friends, now," he said to himself—"Mr. Reed and Mr. Armstrong. On the whole, Luke Larkin, you are in luck, your prospects look decidedly bright, even if you have lost the janitorship."
