"No, sir; you know I did not get the prize at the skating match."
"True; then I must remedy the deficiency."
They took the roadway stage down below the Astor House—it was before the days of Jacob Sharp's horse railway—and got out at Benedict's. There Mr. Reed made choice of a neat silver watch, manufactured at Waltham, and bought a plated chain to go with it.
"Put that in your vest pocket," he said. "It may console you for the loss of the Waterbury."
"How can I ever repay you for your kindness, Mr. Reed?" said Luke, overjoyed.
"I have taken a fancy to you, Luke," said his companion. "I hope to do more for you soon. Now we will go uptown, and I will put my little girl under your charge."
Luke had dreaded making a call at a nice city house in his old suit. Now he looked forward to it with pleasure, especially after his new friend completed his benefactions by buying him a new pair of shoes and a hat.
"Luke," asked his companion, as they were on their way uptown in a Sixth Avenue car, "do you know who owned the box of bonds taken from the Groveton Bank?"
"I have heard that it was a Mr. Armstrong, now traveling in Europe."
"How did he come to leave the box in a village bank?"