The Missing Tin Box Part 23

"I wish you would not, Mr. Sumner," he said.

The elderly broker looked surprised.

"Why not?"

"Because I think Mr. Hardwick is hatching up some plot against me, and I wish to find out what it is."

"A plot?"

"Yes, sir. He is on friendly terms with d.i.c.k Ferris, your former office-boy, and both of them hate me."

"This is certainly news. I knew Hardwick did not like you because you suspected him, but I thought that had pa.s.sed over."

"No, sir. He is down on me worse than ever, and I feel certain he is up to something to get me into trouble."

"And you think the inkstands and pens have something to do with the matter?"

"Yes, sir. Perhaps he'll say I stole them."

"I can't think Hardwick so bad," mused Mr. Sumner. "Why, if he would do that, he would steal the tin box."

Hal said nothing to this. He preferred to discover more than he had before making any revelation.

"You saw them this morning, didn't you?" went on the youth.

"Yes, I got a pen only ten minutes ago."

"Then you know I didn't take them."

"Yes."

"And you will keep silent--that is, for the present?"

"If you wish it, Hal."

And Mr. Sumner turned away and heaved a sigh. It is terrible to have around you somebody you cannot trust.

Five minutes later Hal went out to lunch--a light affair, as the youth had spent ten cents more than intended in following Hardwick the previous evening, and he knew he must be sparing of his capital.

He was just about returning to the office, when, chancing to glance up the street, he saw Hardwick and Ferris just separating at the corner.

He entered the office, and a minute later Hardwick followed. Neither spoke, and but little was said all the afternoon, excepting such as pertained to the business on hand.

Although his thoughts were busy on other matters, Hal paid strict attention to his work, and Mr. Sumner was well pleased with all the youth did.

"A good, manly fellow," he muttered to himself. "He could never have had anything to do with the robbery of the bonds. I would rather suspect my own son were he still alive. But poor Howard is gone."

Sudden tears sprang into the broker's eyes, which he as suddenly brushed away, afraid that some customer might drop in and see his weakness.

Hal did not leave the office until after four o'clock, there being a number of things to be written up before he could go. Hardwick had gone an hour before, and Hal did not know in what direction.

There being nothing else to do, Hal proceeded leisurely up to his boarding-house, never dreaming of the surprise in store for him. The streets were filled with snow, and he enjoyed the jingle of the sleigh-bells and the bustle of metropolitan life around him. Several times he was strongly tempted to follow the newsboys and bootblacks into the street and catch a ride.

When he entered Mrs. Ricket's house he found Saunders and several others already there. d.i.c.k Ferris was in the group in the front parlor, and at a glance Hal saw that something unusual was going on.

He nodded pleasantly, and was about to pa.s.s up the stairs when Mrs.

Ricket called him back.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Mr. Saunders' room has been robbed!" burst out the woman.

"What!" exclaimed Hal. "Was there much taken?"

"A pair of cuff-b.u.t.tons, a gold watch-chain and my pocket-book with fourteen dollars in it," replied Saunders.

"It's too bad," sobbed Mrs. Ricket. "I would not have had that happen in my house for a hundred dollars. I wonder who could have done it?"

Suddenly d.i.c.k Ferris pulled Saunders aside, and whispered something into his ear.

The dry-goods clerk looked astonished.

"You don't mean it!" he gasped.

"I do," replied Ferris.

Saunders advanced toward Hal.

"Were you in my room this morning after I left?" he asked, sharply.

"Me?" returned Hal, with a start. "No."

"d.i.c.k says you were, and he thinks you are the thief," continued Saunders.

CHAPTER XI.

FOR AND AGAINST.

Saunders was excited or he would not have spoken so hastily or so bluntly.

Hal grew very pale, and clenched his hands.

"You say I entered Mr. Saunders' room?" he demanded, turning to Ferris.

"I do," replied the tall boy.