CHAPTER XVII. SUSPICION FALLS UPON SCOTT.
As he reached the street, Loammi paused, for a thought came to him. It was a mean, despicable thought, worse than the theft. But it struck him favorably, and he decided to act upon it.
He opened the front door—for he had a latchkey—and went upstairs again. But not to his mother's room. Instead, he went one floor higher, and opened the door of Scott's little chamber. Then he took the two bills from the pocketbook and thrust them into his vest pocket.
Next he looked about his cousin's chamber, and after some deliberation lifted the lid of a small box that stood on a shelf and dropped the pocketbook inside.
Then, with a look of satisfaction, he closed the door of the room and went into the hall. As he did so another door opened upon the landing, and Ellen, the servant, came out of her own room.
She looked with some surprise at Loammi, who did not very often show himself upon the third floor.
Loammi was somewhat disconcerted by this sudden encounter. He felt that it might prove awkward for him.
He must try to account in some way for his being there.
"Do you know if Scott is in the house?" he asked.