“What’s up?” asked Huskins of Dick.
He had always liked the boy and didn’t know what to make of the situation.
“Mr. Maslin came up here and accused me of taking money out of his till in the store, and when I denied it he started to seize me, when his foot caught in that hole in the carpet and he pitched forward, striking his head against the corner of my box and cutting his forehead open. The shock must have stunned him. Then Mrs. Maslin appeared, threw up the window and began yelling like a crazy person. I tried to do something for Mr. Maslin, but she attacked me furiously, calling me a ruffian and a murderer, and I don’t remember what else. I tell you, John, things are getting altogether too hot for me here. Between Luke and the rest of them I am having a dog’s life of it. I might as well get out now as at any other time.”
“I shouldn’t blame you if you did. I should, if it was me,” replied Huskins, who knew what a hard time the boy had of it and really pitied him.
“I don’t believe Mr. Maslin has lost any money,” said Dick, indignantly. “I know I didn’t take any. I’m not a thief.”
“Maybe Luke took it,” suggested the hired man, with a peculiar wink.
“Luke!” exclaimed Dick in surprise. “What makes you think he did?”
“Well, he wanted five dollars mighty bad this morning, for he tried to borrow it of me. I asked him what he wanted it for; but he wouldn’t tell me. I guess he wants to send for something he’s seen advertised in the paper.”
“How do you know he does?”
“From something he said to me the other day,” said Huskins, sagely.