"Yes, sir; we judged from his style of living, and from his being president of a bank."
"That amounts to nothing. His salary as president is only moderate."
"I am sorry you should have met with such a loss, Mr. Armstrong."
"So am I, but it won't cripple me. Still, a man doesn't like to lose twenty-five thousand dollars and over."
"Was there as much as that in the box, sir?" asked Luke, in surprise.
"Yes, I don't know why I need make any secret of it. There were twenty-five thousand dollars in government bonds, and these, at present rates, are worth in the neighborhood of thirty thousand dollars."
"That seems to me a great deal of money," said Luke.
"It is, but I can spare it without any diminution of comfort. I don't feel, however, like pocketing the loss without making a strong effort to recover the money. I didn't expect to meet immediately upon arrival the only person hitherto suspected of accomplishing the robbery."
He smiled as he spoke, and Luke saw that, so far as Mr. Armstrong was concerned, he had no occasion to feel himself under suspicion.
"Are you intending to remain long in Groveton, Mr. Armstrong?" he asked.