That evening he found himself under the necessity of buying a
necktie at the store, and so had taken it from his trunk. Could he
have left it on the counter? No; he distinctly remembered replacing
it in his pocket. He felt the need of consulting with somebody,
and with his lamp in his hand went downstairs again.
"You haven't concluded to sit up all night, have you?" asked Mr.
Leavitt, surprised at his reappearance.
"Are you sick, Harry?" asked Mrs. Leavitt. "You're looking dreadfully
pale."
"I've lost my pocketbook," said Harry. .
"How much was there in it?" asked his employer.
"Thirty-three dollars," answered Harry.
"Whew! that's a good deal of money to lose. I shouldn't want to
lose so much myself. When did you have it last?"
Harry told his story, Mr. Leavitt listening attentively
"And you came right home?"
"Yes."
"Alone."
"No; Luke Harrison came with me."
"Are you two thick together?"
"Not at all. He doesn't like me, and I don't fancy him."
"What was he talking about?"
"He wanted me to join a sleighing party."
"What did you say?"
"I said I couldn't afford it. Then he charged me with being a miser,
as he often does."
"Did he come all the way home with you?"
"No; he left me at Deacon Brewster's. He said he must go back to
the store."
"There is something queer about this," said Mr. Leavitt, shrewdly.
"Do you want my advice?"
"Yes; I wish you would advise me, for I don't know what to do.
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