“In any event, get rid of the key,” counseled Mr. Holbrook.
“I will, sir.”
When they were standing alone by Mrs. Ritchie’s buggy the woman asked in a low voice:
“So you’ve got the key, have you?”
“Yes,” said Toby.
“Then we’ll go to the office and get my box, law or no law. I’ll make it worth your while, Toby Clark, and no one will ever know.”
The boy shook his head, casting a whimsical smile at the unscrupulous old woman.
“No bribery and corruption for me, ma’am, thank you. I’m somewhat inclined to be honest, in my humble way. But I couldn’t do it, anyhow, Mrs. Ritchie, because Judge Ferguson always kept the key to the cupboard himself, on the same ring that he kept the keys to all the boxes.”
“Where are his keys, then?”
“At his house, I suppose.”