Page:Last Cruise of the Spitfire.djvu/225

Rh "I have a right to be."

He looked at me sharply.

"What do you mean by that?"

"That is my affair."

"Why, you young rascal, I"

"Hold up, Mr. Stillwell, I'm no rascal."

"Yes, you are! What have you done with that six thousand dollars you took from the safe?"

"I never took six thousand dollars from the safe, and you know it," I returned, with spirit.

As I spoke I noticed my uncle closely, and saw that he turned slightly pale.

"You took that money, Luke. What's the use of denying it longer?"

"You cannot prove it, Mr. Stillwell. I might as well say you took it."

"Why—why—you—you" he stammered.

"Are you sure the safe contained six thousand dollars," I went on.

"Of course I am! Didn't Mr. Grinder give me the money only the afternoon before?"

"And you are sure you placed it in the safe?"

"See here, boy; one would suppose I was the one who had committed the crime."

"And why not you as much as me?" I asked, as coolly as I could.