IN THE COURT-ROOM
It was decided that Luke should remain until his trial in the
personal custody of Constable Perkins. Except for the name of it,
his imprisonment was not very irksome, for the Perkins family
treated him as an honored guest, and Mrs. Perkins prepared a nicer
supper than usual. When Mr. Perkins went out he said to his wife,
with a quizzical smile: "I leave Luke in your charge. Don't let
him run away."
"I'll look out for that," said Mrs. Perkins, smiling.
"Perhaps I had better leave you a pistol, my dear?"
"I am afraid I should not know how to use it."
"You might tie my hands," suggested Luke.
"That wouldn't prevent your walking away."
"Then my feet."
"It won't be necessary, husband," said Mrs. Perkins. "I've got
the poker and tongs ready."
But, though treated in this jesting manner, Luke could not help
feeling a little anxious. For aught he knew, the tin box taken from
his mother's trunk might be the same which had been stolen from the
bank. In that case Roland Reed was not likely to appear again, and
his story would be disbelieved. It was a strange one, he could
not help admitting to himself. Yet he could not believe that the
mysterious stranger was a burglar. If he were, it seemed very
improbable that he would have left his booty within half a mile of
the bank, in the very village where the theft had been committed.
It was all very queer, and he could not see into the mystery.
"I should like to do something," thought Luke. "It's dull work
sitting here with folded hands."
"Isn't there something I can do, Mrs. Perkins?" he said. "I am not
used to sitting about the house idle."
"Well, you might make me some pies," said Mrs. Perkins.
"You'd never eat them if I did. I can boil eggs and fry potatoes.
Isn't there some wood to saw and split?"
"Plenty out in the shed."
"I understand that, at any rate. Have you any objection to my
setting to work?"
"No, if you won't run away."
"Send out Charlie to watch me."
Charlie was a youngster about four years of age, and very fond of
Luke, who was a favorite with most young children.
"Yes, that will do. Charlie, go into the shed and see Luke
saw wood."
"Yes, mama."
"Don't let him run away."
"No, I won't," said Charlie, gravely.
Luke felt happier when he was fairly at work. It took his mind off
his troubles, as work generally does, and he spent a couple of hours
in the shed. Then Mrs. Perkins came to the door and called him.
"Luke," she said, "a young lady has called to see the prisoner."
"A young lady! Who is it?"
"Florence Grant."
Luke's face brightened up with pleasure; he put on his coat and went
into the house.
"Oh, Luke, what a shame!" exclaimed Florence, hastening to him with
extended hand. "I only just heard of it."
"Then you're not afraid to shake hands with a bank burglar?"
said Luke.
"No, indeed! What nonsense it is! Who do you think told me of
your arrest?"
"Randolph Duncan."
"You have guessed it."
"What did he say? Did he seem to be shocked at my iniquity?"
"I think he seemed glad of it. Of course, he believes you guilty."
"I supposed he would, or pretend to, at any rate. I think his father
is interested to make me out guilty. I hope you don't think there is
any chance of it?"
"Of course not, Luke. I know you too well. I'd sooner suspect
Randolph. He wanted to know what I thought of you now."
"And what did you answer?"
"That I thought the same as I always had--that you were one of the
best boys in the village. 'I admire your taste,' said Randolph,
with a sneer. Then I gave him a piece of my mind."
"I should like to have heard you, Florence."
"I don't know; you have no idea what a virago I am when I am mad.
Now sit down and tell me all about it."
Luke obeyed, and the conversation was a long one, and seemed
interesting to both. In the midst of it Linton Tomkins came in.
"Have you come to see the prisoner, also, Linton?" asked Florence.
"Yes, Florence. What a desperate-looking ruffian he is! I don't dare
to come too near. How did you break into the bank, Luke?"
First Luke smiled, then he became grave. "After all, it is no joke
to me, Linny," he said. "Think of the disgrace of being arrested
on such a charge."
"The disgrace is in being a burglar, not in being arrested for one,
Luke. Of course, it's absurd. Father wants me to say that if you are
bound over for trial he will go bail for you to any amount."
"Your father is very kind, Linny. I may need to avail myself of his
kindness."
The next day came, and at ten o'clock, Luke, accompanied by
Constable Perkins, entered the room in which Squire Duncan sat as
trial justice. A considerable number of persons were gathered, for
it was a trial in which the whole village was interested. Among
them was Mrs. Larkin, who wore an anxious, perturbed look.
"Oh, Luke," she said sorrowfully, "how terrible it is to have you
here!"
"Don't be troubled, mother," said Luke. "We both know that I am
innocent, and I rely on God to stand by me."
"Luke," said Mr. Beane, "though I am a bank trustee, I am
your friend and believe you innocent. I will act as your lawyer."
"Thank you, Mr. Beane. I shall be very glad to accept your services."
The preliminary proceedings were of a formal character. Then Miss
Melinda Sprague was summoned to testify. She professed to be very
unwilling to say anything likely to injure her good friends, Luke
and his mother, but managed to tell, quite dramatically, how she
first caught a glimpse of the tin box.
"Did Mrs. Larkin know that you saw it?" asked the squire.
"She didn't know for certain," answered Melinda, "but she was
evidently afraid I would, for she shut the trunk in a hurry, and
seemed very much confused. I thought of this directly when I heard
of the bank robbery, and I went over to tell Luke and his mother."
"How did they receive your communication?"
"They seemed very much frightened."
"And you inferred that they had not come honestly by the tin box?"
"It grieves me to say that I did," said Melinda, putting her
handkerchief to her eyes to brush away an imaginary tear.
Finally Melinda sat down, and witnesses were called to testify to
Luke's good character. There were more who wished to be sworn
than there was time to hear. Mr. Beane called only Mr. Hooper, Mr.
Tomkins and Luke's Sunday-school teacher. Then he called Luke to
testify in his own defense.
Luke told a straightforward story--the same that he had told
before--replying readily and easily to any questions that were
asked him.
"I submit, Squire Duncan," said Mr. Beane, "that my client's
statement is plain and frank and explains everything. I hold that it
exonerates him from all suspicion of complicity with the robbery."
"I differ with you," said Squire Duncan, acidly. "It is a wild,
improbable tale, that does not even do credit to the prisoner's
invention. In my opinion, this mysterious stranger has no existence.
Is there any one besides himself who has seen this Roland Reed?"
At this moment there was a little confusion at the door. A tall,
dark-complexioned stranger pushed his way into the court-room. He
advanced quickly to the front.
"I heard my name called," he said. "There is no occasion to doubt
my existence. I am Roland Reed!"