“Then you needn’t.  I know you.  You wanted to swindle me out of my two hundred and fifty dollars.”

“Sir, you insult me!” exclaimed Coleman, with lofty indignation.  “What do I—­a rich man—­want of your paltry two hundred and fifty dollars?”

“I don’t believe you are a rich man.  Didn’t I tell you, I have been warned against you?”

“Who dared to talk against me?” asked Coleman indignantly.  Then, casting his eyes about, he noticed Luke for the first time.  Now it was all clear to him.

Striding up to Luke’s seat, he said threateningly, “Have you been talking against me, you young jackanapes?”

“Yes, Mr. Coleman, I have,” answered Luke steadily.  “I thought it my duty to inform this man of your character.  I have advised him to put his money into a savings-bank.”

“Curse you for an impertinent meddler!” said Coleman wrathfully.  “I’ll get even with you for this!”

“You can do as you please,” said Luke calmly.

Coleman went up to the farmer and said, abruptly, “You’ve been imposed upon by an unprincipled boy.  He’s been telling you lies about me.”

“He has given me good advice,” said the farmer sturdily, “and I shall follow it.”

“You are making a fool of yourself!”

“That is better than to be made fool of, and lose my money.”

Coleman saw that the game was lost, and left the car.  He would gladly have assaulted Luke, but knew that it would only get him into trouble.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

LUKE’S RETURN

Mr. Armstrong was sitting in his office one morning when the door opened, and Luke entered, his face flushed with health, and his cheeks browned by exposure.

“You see I’ve got back, Mr. Armstrong,” he said, advancing with a smile.

“Welcome home, Luke!” exclaimed the merchant heartily, grasping our hero’s hand cordially.

“I hope you are satisfied with me,” said Luke.

“Satisfied!  I ought to be.  You have done yourself the greatest credit.  It is seldom a boy of your age exhibits such good judgment and discretion.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Luke gratefully.  “I was obliged to spend a good deal of money,” he added, “and I have arrived in New York with only three dollars and seventy-five cents in my pocket.”

“I have no fault to find with your expenses,” said Mr. Armstrong promptly.  “Nor would I have complained if you had spent twice as much.  The main thing was to succeed, and you have succeeded.”

“I am glad to hear you speak so,” said Luke, relieved.  “To me it seemed a great deal of money.  You gave me two hundred dollars, and I have less than five dollars left.  Here it is!” and Luke drew the sum from his pocket, and tendered it to the merchant.

“I can’t take it,” said Mr. Armstrong.  “You don’t owe me any money.  It is I who am owing you.  Take this on account,” and he drew a roll of bills from his pocketbook and handed it to Luke.  “Here are a hundred dollars on account,” he continued.