Part 58 (2/2)
”Just now.”
”Where did you keep it?”
”In a box under my bed.”
”When do you think it was taken?”
”Last night.”
”What makes you think so?”
”I am a sound sleeper, and last night you know was very dark. I awoke with a start, and seemed to hear footsteps. I looked towards the door, and saw a form gliding from the room.”
”Why didn't you jump out of bed and seize the intruder whoever he was?”
”Because I was not sure but it was all a dream. I think now it was some thief who had just robbed me.”
”I think so too. Could you make out anything of his appearance?”
”I could only see the outlines of his figure. He was a tall man. He must have taken the money from under my bed.”
”Did any one know that you had money concealed there?”
”I don't think I ever mentioned it.”
”It seems we have a thief among us,” said Jefferson, and almost unconsciously his glance rested on Louis Wheeler who was seated near John O'Donnell, ”what do you think, Mr. Wheeler?”
”I think you are right, Mr. Pettigrew.”
”Have you any suggestion to make?” asked Jefferson. ”Have you by chance lost anything?”
”Not that I am aware of.”
”Is there any one else here who has been robbed?”
No one spoke.
”You asked me if I had any suggestions to make, Mr. Pettigrew,” said Louis Wheeler after a pause. ”I have.
”Our worthy friend Mr. O'Donnell has met with a serious loss. I move that we who are his friends make it up to him. Here is my contribution,”
and he laid a five dollar bill on the table.
It was a happy suggestion and proved popular. Every one present came forward, and tendered his contributions including Jefferson, who put down twenty five dollars.
Mr. Wheeler gathered up the notes and gold and sweeping them to his hat went forward and tendered them to John O'Donnell.
”Take this money, Mr. O'Donnell,” he said. ”It is the free will offering of your friends. I am sure I may say for them, as for myself, that it gives us all pleasure to help a comrade in trouble.”
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