s put you up to this. He is a
discreditable tramp whom I befriended when in dire need. This is my
reward for it."

"I have nothing to do with that, Mr. Browning. Mr. King is ready to
help me with his testimony. My lawyer has advised me to call upon you,
and to say this: If you will pay over the ten thousand dollars with
interest I will engage in my mother's name to keep the matter from
getting before the public."

"And if I don't agree to this?"

"Mr. Jordan is instructed to bring suit against you."

Drops of perspiration gathered on the brow of Mr. Browning. This would
never do. The suit, even if unsuccessful, would blast his reputation
as a philanthropist, and his prospects as a politician.

"I will see Mr. Jordan," he said.

"Very well, sir. Then I wish you good-morning."

Within two days Thomas Browning had paid over to the lawyer for his
young client the full sum demanded, and Luke left Milwaukee with the
happy consciousness that his mother was now beyond the reach of
poverty.

CHAPTER XLII

CONCLUSION

Felicie reflected over Harold's dishonest suggestion, and concluded to
adopt it. She meant to charge Harold with the second robbery, and to
brazen it out if necessary. Accordingly, one day she stole into Mrs.
Merton's sitting room, and with the keys supplied by Harold succeeded
in opening the drawer. Inside, greatly to her surprise, she saw the
identical pocketbook which it had been understood was taken at the
time of the first robbery. She was holding it in her hand, when a
slight noise led her to look up swiftly.

To her dismay she saw the old lady, whom she had supposed out of the
house, regarding her sternly.

"What does this mean, Felicie?" demanded Mrs. Merton.

"I--I found these keys and was trying them to see if any of them had
been used at the time your money was stolen."

"Do you know who took my money on that occasion?" continued the old
lady.

"Yes, I do," answered Felicie, swiftly deciding to tell the truth.

"Who was it?"

"Your nephew Harold," answered Felicie, glibly.

"You know this?"

"I saw him open the drawer. I was looking through a crack of the
door."

"And you never told me of this?"

"I didn't want to expose him. He begged me not to do so."

"That is singular. He warned me yesterday that he suspected you of
being the thief, and that he had reason to think you were planning a
second robbery."

"He did?" said Felicie, with flashing eyes.

"Yes; what have