“Humph!  This is getting interesting.  The contents of the box were government bonds, I have heard.”

“I heard Squire Duncan say so.”

“Were they coupon or registered?”

“What difference would that make, sir?”

“The first could be sold without trouble by the thief, while the last could not be disposed of without a formal transfer from the owner.”

“Then it would not pay to steal them?”

“Just so.  Luke, do you know, a strange idea has come into my head.”

“What is it, sir?”

“I think Prince Duncan knows more about how those bonds were spirited away than is suspected.”

Luke was greatly surprised.

“You don’t think he took them himself, do you?” he asked.

“That remains to be seen.  It is a curious affair altogether.  I may have occasion to speak of it another time.  Are you a good writer?”

“Fair, I believe, sir.”

“I have recently come into possession of a business in a city in Ohio, which I carry on through a paid agent.  Among other things, I have bought out the old accounts.  I shall need to have a large number of bills made out, covering a series of years, which I shall then put into the hands of a collector and realize so far as I can.  This work, with a little instruction, I think you can do.”

“I shall be very glad to do it, sir.”

“You will be paid fairly for the labor.”

“I don’t need any pay, Mr. Reed.  You have already paid me handsomely.”

“You refer to the clothing and the watch?  Those are gifts.  I will pay you thirty cents an hour for the time employed, leaving you to keep the account.  The books of the firm I have at the house where my daughter is boarding.  You will take them back to Groveton with you.”

“This is a fortunate day for me,” said Luke.  “It will pay me much better than the janitorship.”

“Do your duty, Luke, and your good fortune will continue.  But here is our street.”

They left the car at the corner of Fourteenth Street and Sixth Avenue, and turning westward, paused in front of a four-story house of good appearance.

CHAPTER XVII

RANDOLPH IS MYSTIFIED

In an hour, Luke, with the little girl under his charge, was on his way to the depot, accompanied by Mr. Reed, who paid for their tickets, and bade them good-bye, promising to communicate with Luke.

Rosa Reed was a bright little girl of about eight years of age.  She made no opposition to going with Luke, but put her hand confidently in his, and expressed much pleasure at the prospect of living in the country.  She had been under the care of two maiden ladies, the Misses Graham, who had no love for children, and had merely accepted the charge on account of the liberal terms paid them by the father.  They seemed displeased at the withdrawal of Rosa, and clearly signified this by their cold, stiff reception of Mr. Reed and Luke.