“But I don’t know where he is.”

“Don’t know where he is?” echoed Reed, in genuine surprise.

“No; James Harding—­this is his name—­left my employ a year since, having, through a life of economy, secured a competence, and went out West to join a widowed sister who had for many years made her residence there.  Now, the West is a large place, and I don’t know where this sister lives, or where James Harding is to be found.”

“Yet he must be found.  You must send a messenger to look for him.”

“But whom shall I send?  In a matter of this delicacy I don’t want to employ a professional detective.  Those men sometimes betray secrets committed to their keeping, and work up a false clue rather than have it supposed they are not earning their money.  If, now, some gentleman in whom I had confidence—­someone like yourself—­would undertake the commission, I should esteem myself fortunate.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Armstrong, more especially as you are putting confidence in a stranger, but I have important work to do that would not permit me to leave New York at present.  But I know of someone whom I would employ, if the business were mine.”

“Well?”

“Luke Larkin.”

“But he is only a boy.  He can’t be over sixteen.”

“He is a sharp boy, however, and would follow instructions.”

John Armstrong thought rapidly.  He was a man who decided quickly.

“I will take your advice,” he said.  “As I don’t want to have it supposed that he is in my employ, will you oblige me by writing to him and preparing him for a journey?  Let it be supposed that he is occupied with a commission for you.”

“I will attend to the matter at once.”

The next morning Luke received the following letter: 

“My dear Luke:  I have some work for you which will occupy some time and require a journey.  You will be well paid.  Bring a supply of underclothing, and assure your mother that she need feel under no apprehensions about you.  Unless I am greatly mistaken, you will be able to take care of yourself.

“Your friend,

“Roland Reed.”

Luke read the letter with excitement and pleasure.  He was to go on a journey, and to a boy of his age a journey of any sort is delightful.  He had no idea of the extent of the trip in store for him, but thought he might possibly be sent to Boston, or Philadelphia, and either trip he felt would yield him much pleasure.  He quieted the natural apprehensions of his mother, and, satchel in hand, waited upon his patron in the course of a day.  By him he was taken over to the office of Mr. Armstrong, from whom he received instructions and a supply of money.

CHAPTER XXV

MR. J. MADISON COLEMAN

Luke didn’t shrink from the long trip before him.  He enjoyed the prospect of it, having always longed to travel and see distant places.  He felt flattered by Mr. Armstrong’s confidence in him, and stoutly resolved to deserve it.  He would have been glad if he could have had the company of his friend Linton, but he knew that this was impossible.  He must travel alone.