Willy Burke, or, The Irish orphan in America - Digital Repository ...

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 167
hand in my bosom nor buttoned up my coat ; and that 's
as true as that I 'm standing here".
Mrs. Malcolm was now called in, and was asked
whether Willy Burke had gone up to his room after
coming from the warehouse before he went. The housekeeper
was no little surprised by the question and the
serious manner in which it was put, but she answered at
he just went up for a few minutes, and
once that he had ;
then went out in a hurry, saying that he would be back
by the time supper was ready, if he possibly could.
" Dare now, Talbot !" you say to dat, eh
said Weimar, exultingly ; " what
?"
" I say", replied Talbot, " that we had better go at
once and search his room, since he denies having taken
the money : we must proceed with such steps as may
lead to its discovery. You will please light us up stairs,
Mrs. Malcolm, to Willy Burke's room ,
\
" Certainly, sir !" said the housekeeper, and forthwith
she fetched a lamp.
" But will ye just let me say one word, gentlemen ?"
Mr. Talbot nodded assent, and Weimar stopped to listen,
his foot resting on the first step of the stairs.
" Now, I understand that you 're suspecting this puir
laddie, Burke, of purloining something, and you may
baith tak' an auld woman's word for it, that he never did
ony sic like thing. Na, na ; Willy Burke fears God,
and serves him, too, with all his heart; and sic like
folks are never found breaking his commandments. I
tell you— and you'll find my words true—that Willy
Burke is innocent, let who may be guilty!"
4i I should be happy, indeed, Mrs. Malcolm, to find it
so", said Mr. Talbot, as he motioned to Mr. Weimar to