Chapter XIX. An Unwelcome Visitor

by Horatio Alger

　　Luke Harrison had picked up Harry's pocketbook, and, though knowing itto be his, concealed the discovery upon the impulse of the moment."What I find is mine," he said to himself. "Of course it is. HarryWalton deserves to lose his money."It will be seen that he had already decided to keep the money. Itlooked so tempting to him, as his eyes rested on the thick rollof bills--for, though insignificant in amount, the bills were onesand twos, and twenty in number--that he could not make up his mindto return it.Luke was fond of new clothes. He wanted to reestablish his creditwith Merrill, for he was in want of a new coat and knew that itwould be useless to order one unless he had some money to pay onaccount. He decided to use a part of Harry's money for this purpose.It would be better, however, he thought, to wait a day or two, asthe news of the loss would undoubtedly spread abroad, and his ordermight excite suspicion, particularly as he had been in Harry'scompany at the time the money disappeared. He therefore put thepocketbook into his trunk, and carefully locked it. Then he wentto bed.Meanwhile, Harry reached Mr. Leavitt's unconscious of the seriousmisfortune which had befallen him. He went into the sitting roomand talked a while with Mr. Leavitt, and at ten o'clock took hislamp and went up to bed. While he was undressing he felt in hispocket for his money, intending to lock it up in his trunk as usual.His dismay may be conceived when he could not find it.Poor Harry sank into a chair with that sudden sinking of the heartwhich unlooked-for misfortune brings and tried to think where hecould have left the pocketbook.That evening he found himself under the necessity of buying anecktie at the store, and so had taken it from his trunk. Could hehave left it on the counter? No; he distinctly remembered replacingit in his pocket. He felt the need of consulting with somebody,and with his lamp in his hand went downstairs again."You haven't concluded to sit up all night, have you?" asked Mr.Leavitt, surprised at his reappearance."Are you sick, Harry?" asked Mrs. Leavitt. "You're looking dreadfullypale.""I've lost my pocketbook," said Harry. ."How much was there in it?" asked his employer."Thirty-three dollars," answered Harry."Whew! that's a good deal of money to lose. I shouldn't want tolose so much myself. When did you have it last?"Harry told his story, Mr. Leavitt listening attentively"And you came right home?""Yes.""Alone.""No; Luke Harrison came with me.""Are you two thick together?""Not at all. He doesn't like me, and I don't fancy him.""What was he talking about?""He wanted me to join a sleighing party.""What did you say?""I said I couldn't afford it. Then he charged me with being a miser,as he often does.""Did he come all the way home with you?""No; he left me at Deacon Brewster's. He said he must go back tothe store.""There is something queer about this," said Mr. Leavitt, shrewdly."Do you want my advice?""Yes; I wish you would advise me, for I don't know what to do.""Then go to the store at once. Ask, but without attracting anyattention, if Luke came back there after leaving you. Then askMr. Meade, the storekeeper, whether he noticed you put back yourpocketbook.""But I know I did.""Then it will be well to say nothing about it, at least publicly.If you find that Luke's excuse was false, and that he did not goback, go at once to his boarding place, and ask him whether he sawyou drop the pocketbook. You might have dropped it and he pickedit up.""Suppose he says no?""Then we must watch whether he seems flush of money for the nextfew days."This seemed to Harry good advice. He retraced his steps to thestore, carefully looking for the lost pocketbook. But of course,it was not to be seen and he entered the store troubled and out ofspirits."I thought you went home, Harry," said Frank Heath."You see I am here again," said our hero."Time to shut up shop," said Mr. Meade, the storekeeper. "You boyswill have to adjourn till to-morrow.""Where's Luke Harrison?" asked Frank Heath."Didn't he go out with you?""Yes; but he left me some time ago. He came back here, didn't he?""No; he hasn't been here since.""He spoke of coming," said Harry. "He wanted me to join thatsleighing party.""Good night, boys," said the storekeeper, significantly.They took the hint and went out. Their way lay in differentdirections, and they parted company."Now I must call on Luke," said Harry to himself.""I hope he found the pocketbook. He wouldn't be wicked enough tokeep it."But he was not quite so sure of this as he would like to have been.He felt almost sick as he thought of the possibility that he mightnever recover the money which he had saved so gladly, though withsuch painful economy. It represented the entire cash earnings ofeleven weeks.Luke Harrison boarded with a Mr. Glenham, a carpenter, and it wasat his door that Harry knocked."Is Luke Harrison at home?" he inquired of Mrs. Glenham, who openedthe door."At home and abed, I reckon," she replied."I know it's late, Mrs. Glenham, but it is about a matter ofimportance that I wish to see Luke.""I reckon it's about the sleighing party.""No, it is quite another thing. I won't stay but minute.""Well, I suppose you can go up."Harry went upstairs and knocked. Ordinarily, Luke would have beenasleep, for generally he sank to sleep five minutes after his headtouched the pillow; but to-night the excitement of his dishonestintention kept him awake, and he started uneasily when he heardthe knock."Who's there?" he called out from the bed."It's I--Harry Walton.""He's come about that pocketbook," thought Luke."I'm in bed," he answered."I want to see you a minute, on a matter of importance.""Come to-morrow morning.""I must see you now.""Oh, well, come in, if you must," said Luke.