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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 171
the one leading
locked".
from the warehouses, is almost always
" Well, this is really unaccountable", observed Mr.
Talbot to his partner. " Here is this lad, in the simpli-
city of his heart, lessening the chance of shifting suspicion
from himself, by assuring us that he neither saw nor
heard any one about the office, and even that the inner
door was locked ; at least he thought so. Surely thi&
does not look like guilt ?"
Weimar was about to answer, and his looks denoted
impatience, when suddenly he approached Willy, and
said—" What is dat ting dat make a bulk dere in your
breast ? Open your coat—dere 's something in that pocket
— let us see what it is. Ha, ha ! de secret will come out
now, I tink".
Every eye was now turned on Willy's bosom, where,
sure enough, there was a very perceptible protuberance,
as if of some parcel thrust into the breast-pocket of his
coat. Even Mrs. Malcolm trembled, and the young men
could scarcely refrain from laughing out in the glee of
exultation. Mr. Talbot said nothing ; but a slight flush
was on his cheek, as he watched the changing counten-
ance of the lad, and waited to see what he really dreaded
the confirmation of his suspicions. But Willy showed
no sign of either fear or confusion.
" Here, Mr. Weimar", he said, hastily unbuttoning the
round jacket which he wore, " here, sir, you can search
my pockets—ay
—
! every one of them. There is something
in /this breast pocket, sir, but you can take it yourself, an'
then you ?
11 see what it is 1
'. Weimar thrust in his hand,
and drew forth, not the missing parcel, but a small
ebony crucifix, worn and old, as though it might have belonged
to a by-gone age.