arner, and I will be your friend. One thing more:
don't tell Louisa what has passed between us. I can, at any time,
clear Luke, but for the present I will let her think I am uncertain on
that point. I shall not forget that you took the boy's part where your
sister condemned him."

"Louisa and Harold can see no good in the boy; but I have observed him
carefully, and formed my own opinion."

Warner could have done nothing better calculated to win his aunt's
favor than to express a favorable opinion of Luke. It must be said,
however, in justice to him, that this had not entered into his
calculations. He really felt kindly towards the boy whom his sister
denounced as "sly and artful," and liked him much better than his own
nephew, Harold, who, looking upon Warner as a poor relation, had not
thought it necessary to treat him with much respect or attention. He
had a better heart and a better disposition than Mrs. Tracy or Harold,
notwithstanding his early shortcomings.

"Who could have been the thief?" Warner asked himself, as he left his
aunt's sitting room. "Could it have been Harold?"

He resolved to watch his nephew carefully and seek some clew that
would lead to a solution of the mystery.

"I hope it isn't my nephew," he said to himself. "I don't want him to
follow in the steps of his scapegrace uncle. But I would sooner
suspect him than Luke Walton. They say blood is thicker than water,
but I confess that I like the newsboy better than I do my high-toned
nephew."

"Have you made any discovery of the thief, Aunt Eliza?" asked Mrs.
Tracy, as her aunt seated herself at the evening repast.

"Nothing positive," answered the old lady, significantly.

"Have you discovered anything at all?"

"I have discovered who is not the thief," said Mrs. Merton.

"Then you had suspicions?"

"No definite suspicions."

"Wouldn't it be well to talk the matter freely over with me? Something
might be suggested."

"I beg your pardon, Louisa, but I think it would be well to banish
this disagreeable matter from our table talk. If I should stand in
need of advice, I will consult you."

"I don't want to obtrude my advice, but I will venture to suggest that
you call in a private detective."

Harold looked alarmed.

"I wouldn't bother with a detective," he said. "They don't know half
as much as they pretend."

"I am inclined to agree with Harold," said Mrs. Merton. "I will act as
my own detective."

Save for the compliment to