offered keys. After all, why
should she not make use of the suggestion? It would be thought that
the second thief was the same as the first.

"Can I rely on your discretion, Master Harold?" she asked.

"Yes, certainly. I am not very likely to say anything about the
matter."

"True! It might not be for your interest. Good-morning, Master Harold,
I won't detain you any longer."

Harold left the house with a feeling of relief.

"I hope Felicie will be caught!" he said to himself. "I have a great
mind to give Aunt Eliza a hint."

It looked as if the generally astute Felicie had made a mistake.

CHAPTER XXXIX

LUKE WALTON'S LETTER

"Here is a letter for you, Luke!" said Mrs. Walton.

Luke took it in his hand, and regarded it curiously. He was not in the
habit of receiving letters.

"It is postmarked Milwaukee," he said.

"Do you know anyone in Milwaukee?" asked his mother.

"No; or stay, it must be from Mr. Powell, a brother of Mrs. Tracy."

"Probably he sends a message to his sister."

By this time Luke had opened the following letter, which he read with
great surprise and excitement:

DEAR LUKE:--Come to Milwaukee as soon as you can, and join me at the
Prairie Hotel. I write in your own interest. There is a large sum due
to your father, which I may be able to put you in the way of
collecting. You had better see Aunt Eliza, and ask leave of absence
for a day or two. If you haven't money enough to come on, let her
know, and I am sure she will advance it to you.

Your friend,

WARNER POWELL.

"What can it mean?" asked Mrs. Walton, to whom Luke read the letter.

"It must refer to the ten thousand dollars which father sent to us on
his dying bed."

"If it were only so!" said the widow, clasping her hands.

"At any rate, I shall soon find out, mother. I had better take the
letter which was sent us, giving us the first information of the
legacy."

"Very well, Luke! I don't know anything about business. I must leave
the matter entirely in your hands.

"I will go at once to Mrs. Merton and ask if it will inconvenience her
if I go away for a couple of days."

"Do so, Luke! She is a kind friend, and you should do nothing without
her permission."

Luke took the cars for Prairie Avenue, though it was afternoon, and he
had been there once already. He was shown immediately into the old
lady's presence.

Mrs. Merton saw him enter with surprise.

"Has anything happened, Luke?" she asked.

"I h