CHAPTER IV.
HAL STANDS UP FOR HIMSELF
Hal now found himself in a tight situation. Felix Hardwick had him by the throat, and was slowly but surely choking him.
"Don't! don't!" cried Mr. Sumner, in great alarm.
"The miserable tramp!" cried Hardwick. "I'll teach him to call a gentleman a thief."
He continued his choking process, paying no attention to his employer's efforts to haul him away.
But by this time Hal began to realize that Hardwick was in earnest. He began to kick, and presently landed a blow in the book-keeper's stomach that completely winded the man.
Hardwick relaxed his hold, and Hal sprang away.
"Stop! stop!" ordered Mr. Sumner. "I will not have such disgraceful scenes in this office."
"But he intimated I was a thief," said Hardwick, trying to catch his wind.
"And he said the same of me," retorted Hal.
"So you are!"
"I never stole a thing in my life, Mr. Sumner." Hal turned to the broker. "And I am not a tramp."
"Then supposing we make it a poor-house beggar," returned Hardwick, with a short laugh.
Hal turned red. The shot was a cruel one.
"Hush! Hardwick," cried Mr. Sumner. "There is no necessity for such language."
The broker turned to Hal.
"You just made a strange statement, Carson," he said. "How do you know Mr. Hardwick contemplated robbing the safe?"
"Because I do."
"That is no answer."
"I overheard him and Mr. Allen talking about the bonds being in the safe."
"When?"
"The evening I came to New York."
"What was said?"
"I can't repeat the words, but they said the bonds were worth nearly eighty thousand dollars, and that the safe was often left open during the day."
"It's an infamous story!" put in Hardwick, his face growing red. "Mr. Sumner, don't you believe the beggar."
"I am telling the truth," said Hal, as calmly as he could.
"Hush, Hardwick!"
"But, sir – " began the book-keeper.
"One story at a time. I will hear what you have to say later."
"Do you mean to say you would take that boy's word against mine?" demanded Hardwick, haughtily.
"I intend to listen to his story without further interruption from you," responded the broker, sternly. "So please keep silent until your turn comes."
Hardwick pulled at the ends of his mustache, but he did not dare to reply after this.
"Now go on, Carson," said Mr. Sumner to Hal.
"I haven't much to tell, sir," replied the youth.
And he related all he could remember of the fragment of a conversation which he had overheard.
The broker listened attentively, but his face fell when Hal had finished.
"And is that all?"
"Yes, sir."
Mr. Sumner shook his head, and then turned to Hardwick.
"Is his story true?" he asked.
"It is true we spoke of the bonds," replied the book-keeper. "But nothing was said about stealing them. Why, Mr. Sumner – why should your own partner and trusted book-keeper conspire to rob you? It is preposterous! I have an idea."
"What is this?"
"That he heard us speaking of your careless habit, and endeavored to form some scheme to get into the office and get hold of the bonds."
"Hardly. It was I told him to come here; he did not come of himself."
"Then he formed his plan after he got here."
"I know nothing of railroad bonds," put in Hal. "I wouldn't know what to do with them, if I had them."
At that moment Mr. Allen arrived. He saw that something unusual had taken place.
"What's up?" he asked.
"The tin box containing the Mason railroad bonds is missing," replied Mr. Sumner.
"Missing!" ejaculated Mr. Allen.
"Exactly."
"And all the bonds?"
"Yes."
"Phew!" Mr. Allen gave a low whistle. "How did it happen?"
Mr. Sumner related the particulars.
"And this boy means to say we concocted a scheme to steal them," added Hardwick, pointing to Hal.
"We steal them!" ejaculated Mr. Allen.
"Yes, sir."
Mr. Allen turned and caught Hal by the arm.
"Boy, are you crazy?" he demanded.
"That's what I would like to know," said Hardwick.
"No, I am not crazy," replied the youth, stoutly.
"He overheard part of our conversation on the ferry-boat the other night," went on the book-keeper, hastily, "and from that he judged we must be plotting to rob Mr. Sumner."
"Well, that's rich!" Mr. Allen broke into a laugh. "Excuse me, Sumner, but I can't help it. Of course, you don't think any such thing."
"No, I can't say that I do," replied the elderly broker, slowly. "But" – he turned to the safe – "the tin box is gone and I would like to know what has become of it."
"Better call in the police," suggested Hardwick. "And in the meantime keep an eye on this boy."
"And also on that man," added Hal, pointing to the book-keeper.
Mr. Sumner was in deep perplexity. He ran his hand through his hair.
"Let us talk this matter over first," he said. "You say, Hardwick, you left Carson alone in the office yesterday afternoon?"
"Yes, sir."
"How long?"
"Not more than ten minutes."
"When was this?"
"A few minutes after you and Mr. Allen went out."
"When you came back what was Carson doing?"
"He was at the desk, pretending to write."
"Was there anybody else here?"
"By Jove! yes," exclaimed Hardwick, suddenly.
"Ah! who?"
"I don't know, sir."
"A man?"
"Yes. Rather a common-looking fellow, about thirty-five years of age."
"What did he want?"
"He asked for Mr. Allen, and when I said he wouldn't be back during the rest of the day he went off."
Mr. Sumner turned to Hal. The youth stood staring at the wall.
"What have you to say about this stranger?"
"He came in directly after Mr. Hardwick went out," returned the youth.
"What was his business?"
"He wished to see Mr. Allen."
"Did he go back to the safe?"
"I – I don't think so."
"You are not sure?"
"Not positive, sir. I was busy writing, and did not notice him closely."
"Did the man give any name?"
"No, sir."
"I suppose you didn't know him?"
Hal shook his head. He was beginning to believe he had made a big mistake by not watching the stranger during the time he was in the office back of the railing.
"I believe I saw the man wink at this boy as he went out," put in Hardwick. "I am pretty certain the two knew each other."
"That is not true," burst out Hal.
For some reason, this insinuation made him think more than ever that the book-keeper was guilty.
"Which way did the man go?" went on the elderly broker.
"Toward Broadway," replied Hal.
"Did he have anything under his arm?"
"He had a small bundle, but he had that when he came in."
"About how large?"
Hal illustrated with his hands.
"Probably that was an empty box, or something of that sort," ventured Mr. Allen. "He placed the tin box into it."
"Quite likely," returned Mr. Sumner.
"And the only question in my mind," went on his partner, "is whether or not this boy here was in with the fellow. If you will take my advice, Sumner, you will have him arrested without delay."
CHAPTER V.
HAL DETERMINES TO ACT
As Mr. Allen spoke he caught Hal by the shoulder.
"You had better own up, Carson," he said, harshly.
"Let go of me!" retorted Hal, trying to break away.
"Not much! Do you think I am going to give you the chance to slide out of the door?"
"I have nothing to own up to, and I don't intend to run away," panted the youth.
He broke away, and placed himself beside Mr. Sumner, who looked at him earnestly.
"I believe the boy speaks the truth," he said, firmly.
"You do?" cried Hardwick and Allen, in concert.
"I mean in so far as he says he is innocent," added the elderly broker, hastily. "Of course, I believe he is mistaken in supposing that either of you had anything to do with this robbery."
"Oh!" returned Mr. Allen.
"That's different," said Hardwick.
Both of them looked relieved.
"I wish he had watched this stranger."
"I wish that myself, Mr. Sumner," cried Hal. "If he stole the tin box, then I am mostly responsible, although I supposed the man was some business man around here, and was to be trusted."
"I don't understand one thing," said the elderly broker. "I am almost sure I locked the safe when I went away yesterday afternoon."
"So you did," said Mr. Allen. "I saw you do it."
"Then, how could the stranger have opened it?"
"Didn't Carson know the combination?" asked Hardwick, who seemed determined to convict Hal.
"I think not."
"Indeed I did not!" cried the youth. "I never worked a safe combination in my life."
"I saw him watching you open the door yesterday morning," went on the book-keeper. "Do you dare deny it?" he continued, turning to Hal.
"I certainly do deny it," retorted Hal. "I might have been looking that way, but I did not watch him, and I do not know how it was done."
"You did not notice if the door was open after I was gone, did you?" said Mr. Sumner, turning to the book-keeper.
"It was closed," replied Hardwick, promptly.
"You are certain?"
"Yes, sir. When I left Carson here alone I saw to it that both safes and the main desks were closed."
"Why did you do that?" put in Mr. Allen, knowing well what the answer would be.
"I saw no necessity for trusting Carson, who was totally unknown to us."
"That was right, Hardwick." Mr. Allen turned to his partner. "I believe, Sumner, you took in Carson without recommendations."
"I admit I did, Allen, but his face – "
"Faces are very deceitful, very. It was poor business policy, Sumner. It would never have happened while I was around."
"Well, I am the loser, not you," replied Mr. Sumner, rather sharply. He did not like the way Mr. Allen criticised his action.
"Yes, but still, it might have been – "
"But it was not," interrupted Mr. Sumner, dryly. "And as we are to separate on the first of the year, Allen, the least said on that score the better."
"Well, just as you say," returned Mr. Allen, stiffly. "I hope you get your bonds back, that's all."
"So do I," added Hardwick. "I don't want the least shadow hanging over my name."
Mr. Sumner began to walk up and down the office uneasily. He was in a terrible state of mind. The loss of the bonds might mean utter ruin.
He hesitated and looked at Hal. The youth noticed it, and springing forward, caught him by the arm.
"Mr. Sumner, tell me you do not believe me guilty," he cried, with a curious lump rising in his throat.
"Hal, I believe you innocent," returned the elderly broker.
In after years the man looked back at those words. What had led him to utter them? Let the reader wait, and perhaps he will be able to reason the matter out.
Mr. Allen sneered at the words, and Hardwick's lip curled.
The youth noticed neither of them. The tears stood in his eyes, as he replied:
"Thank you for saying that, Mr. Sumner," he returned, in a low voice. "I may be nothing but a poor-house boy, but I am honest, and will help you get back your bonds, and prove my innocence to the world."
Again Mr. Allen's sneer was heard, and Hardwick's lip curled, even more than before. Neither Mr. Sumner nor Hal paid any attention to either of them. The broker stepped to the telephone.
"Who are you going to summon?" asked Mr. Allen.
"The chief of the police department."
"That's right."
The proper connection was obtained, and a long conversation ensued over the wires. At length Mr. Sumner closed the instrument.
"A couple of detectives will be here in ten minutes," he said. "The chief says they are now with him and have nothing on hand to do."
Hal listened to this statement with interest. He had often heard of detectives, but had never seen such a personage.
Mr. Sumner continued to walk up and down. Hal watched him, the youth's heart beating rapidly.
The clock hands moved slowly, but at last twelve minutes had passed.
Then two young men entered. They were very ordinary looking individuals, and Hal was somewhat disappointed in their appearance.
"We were sent here by the chief," explained one as he entered. "My name is Harry Parker. This is Ralph Hamington."
"I am glad to see you," replied Mr. Sumner.
"You have been robbed?" questioned Harry Parker, coming at once to the point.
"Yes. A tin box, containing seventy-nine thousand dollars' worth of railroad bonds, has been stolen from that safe."
Both detectives elevated their eyebrows at this statement.
"Was the safe broken open?" continued Parker.
"No."
"Door left open?"
"I think not."
"When did you see the box last?"
"Yesterday afternoon."
"What time?"
"A little before two."
"You locked it up at that time?"
"I am under that impression."
"I see. When did you discover your loss?"
"Not over half an hour ago."
"Did any one beside yourself have the combination of the safe?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"No one in the office?"
"I know nothing of it," replied Allen.
"Who are you?"
"Caleb Allen, Mr. Sumner's partner."
"Oh!"
"Neither do I," added Hardwick. "I am the book-keeper," he explained.
"Who is this boy?"
"He belongs in the office," replied Mr. Sumner.
"I know nothing about the safe," said Hal, speaking up for himself. He began to believe detectives were very much like other men.
"Please give me a list of the people who might have got at the safe during your absence," continued Parker, while his companion prepared to write down the names.
"These gentlemen," began the elderly broker.
"Yes."
"The janitor of the building."
"What is his name?"
"Daniel McCabe."
Hal started and wondered if the janitor could be any relation to Jack McCabe, his acquaintance of the previous day.
"Go on," continued the detective.
"A strange man was in yesterday."
"Ah! tell us of him."
Mr. Sumner told what he knew. Parker turned to Hal.
"Would you know this fellow again, if you saw him?" he asked.
"I believe I would."
"Please describe him as closely as you can."
The youth started and gave a pretty accurate description of his visitor. Both detectives listened attentively.
"Perhaps it was Larkett," suggested Hamington, in an undertone.
"Did the fellow have a cast in his eye?" asked Parker.
"How would the boy know that?" asked Hardwick, nervously. "He says he hardly glanced at the man."
"Answer me," said Parker, paying no attention to the interruption.
Hal was doing his best to think. Had that fellow really had something the matter with his left eye?
"I – I can't really say," he returned, slowly. "Was it the left eye?"
"Yes."
"He might have had. It runs in my mind so, but I am not positive."
Parker exchanged glances with his companion.
"More than likely he was the guilty party," he said to Mr. Sumner. "If he is the man we imagine, he is an old offender, and it will not be a very difficult matter to run him down."
"If you recover the bonds I will give you five thousand dollars as a reward," said the elderly broker.
"We will do what we can, Mr. Sumner."
"The quicker you get to work the better it will suit me."
"We shall start on our hunt at once, eh, Hamington?"
"Certainly. But let us take a look around the office first. And, Mr. Sumner?"
"Well?"
"It might be just as well to keep this matter a secret for a few days. Of course, information will be sent out from headquarters, but the general public need not know of it."
"That will suit me," returned the elderly broker, with a groan. "If the word gets out it will all but ruin me. I only held the bonds in trust, and will be expected to make the loss good in case they are not recovered."
"You will give us a list of the paper?"
"Certainly." Mr. Sumner took out a memorandum book. "Here you are. Anything else?"
"We will take a look around the premises."
And the two detectives started on a tour of investigation, in which Hal took a lively interest.
The door to the safe was carefully examined. Not a mark was found upon it.
"Either left open or opened by some one who had the combination," said Parker.
He got down on his knees and examined the carpet.
"Anything?" asked Hamington, briefly.
Parker shook his head.
In the rear of the office was a window opening upon a narrow court. The two detectives glanced at the fastening of the window.
Suddenly Parker gave a cry.
"This fastening was forced not long ago."
"How do you know?" asked Mr. Sumner, while Hal pricked up his ears.
"Here are the marks made by a knife blade. They are quite fresh."
"Here are the marks of foot-prints upon the window-sill," added Hamington. "See, they lead toward that door yonder. Where does that door lead to?"
"An alley-way," replied Mr. Allen.
"Opening on the next street?"
"Yes."
"Then these marks add a new feature to the case," said Parker. "Has anybody been through the window to your knowledge?"
Every one shook his head.
"Queer," said Mr. Sumner. "If the thief came through the window how did he know the combination of the safe?"
"I have it," said Hamington. "You often opened the safe during the daytime, did you not?"
"Yes."
"Then the would-be thief watched you from the window. By looking from the left side he could easily see you work the combination without being seen himself. He watched you until he was sure he had the combination down fine, and last night he opened the window, stepped inside, opened the safe and took out the tin box, closed the door again, and escaped as he had come."
CHAPTER VI.
A BLOW IN THE DARK
Was Hamington's explanation the correct one?
"By Jove! I believe that's the straight of it!" exclaimed Hardwick.
"So do I," said Mr. Allen. "It is the only way to account for the marks on the window-frame and the sash."
Mr. Sumner said nothing. Indeed, to tell the truth, his loss had set his mind in a whirl.
Parker turned to Hal.
"Did you open the office this morning?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"You opened the window when you cleaned up?"
"Yes."
"Was it locked?"
Hal tried to think.
"I believe it was."
"You are not sure?"
"No, sir."
"He ought to be," broke in Mr. Allen. "I would know, if I was in his place."
"See, if you cannot think, Hal," said Mr. Sumner.
"If anything, I think the window was locked," said the youth, candidly.
"You do?" said Parker.
"Yes, for I believe I had some trouble to unfasten it."
The two detectives looked at each other.
"If that is so, it alters the case," said Hamington. "But I believe the boy is mistaken."
"So do I," added Hardwick, promptly.
Parker opened the window again, and leaping out, made his way to the alley. Hamington went after him. Then several customers came in, and Mr. Allen and Hardwick went forward to wait upon them.
It was a quarter of an hour before the detectives came back, and then they had very little to say, excepting that they would report the particulars at headquarters and endeavor to run down the criminal.
Mr. Sumner was broken down by his loss. He sat in his private office nearly all of the remainder of the day, his head resting in his hands. Mr. Allen went off on business, and Hardwick stuck to his books as if his life depended on it.
Hal resumed his duties with a heavy weight on his heart. For some reason he had expected to be discharged, but nothing was said about his leaving.
Hardwick scowled at the youth every time their eyes met, and kept piling the work upon Hal. The book-keeper was nervous, and the youth did not fail to notice this, and it set him to thinking.
If only he had listened more attentively to what had been said on the ferry-boat that night! Hal was sure if he had done this he would have known if Hardwick and Allen were guilty or not.
Then Hal began to speculate on the foot-marks on the window-sill. If the thief had entered the office that way, why were not some of the same marks visible on the carpet in front of the safe?
When Hardwick went out to lunch, Hal watched him from the office window. At the corner he saw the book-keeper joined by Dick Ferris, and the two seemed to be in earnest conversation as they walked along.
When Hardwick came back Hal was given a half hour. The boy put on his hat and coat and went out. He did not feel like eating, and he walked up to the corner and around to the back street, intending to pay a visit to the alley through which the robber was supposed to have escaped.
Just as he was about to turn into the narrow place, now piled high with snow, somebody caught him by the shoulder. Turning, he found himself confronted by Dick Ferris.
"Hullo, there!" said the tall boy.
"How are you?" returned Hal coldly.
"I hear you've got my place," went on Ferris.
"What if I have?" asked Hal, abruptly.
"I thought you were hanging around trying to do me out of it."
"I didn't try to do you out of it. Mr. Sumner asked me to call at his office and I went. Then he offered me the place and I took it."
"Did he know you?"
"May I ask what business that is of yours?"
"Shut up, you little street tramp, you!" retorted Ferris. "Do you know what I've a good mind to do?"
"I must admit I do not."
"Give you a mighty good thrashing."
"Two can play at that game," replied Hal, with a nervous little laugh.
"What, do you mean to say you can stand up against me?" demanded Ferris. "Maybe you don't know I am an athlete."
"And perhaps you are not aware that I am perfectly able to take care of myself," returned Hal.
"Take that!" cried Ferris.
He hauled off and aimed a wicked blow at the youth's nose. Had it struck Hal it would have injured him considerably.
But the youth dodged; and the next instant Dick Ferris received a crack fairly between the eyes that made him see stars, and caused him to stagger up against the side of a building.
"What – what – " he gasped.
"That for attacking me," replied Hal. "Don't you try any such game again."
"I'll fix you!" roared Ferris. He was boiling with rage. "You miserable street cur!"
He sprang at Hal and caught him by both arms, intending to trip the youth up.
But Hal stood his ground, and by a sudden twist freed himself.
"Let me alone, Ferris," he commanded.
"Oh, of course I will!" replied the tall boy, sarcastically.
"If you don't, you'll regret it."
"Will I? Take that, and that!"
Ferris struck out twice. Hal parried the first blow, but the second just grazed his lip, causing that member to bleed slightly.
"Told you I'd fix you!" roared Ferris.
He had hardly spoken the words before Hal pulled himself together and went at him. The youth's arms shot out right and left, and before he was aware of what was taking place, Ferris received a stinging blow on the forehead, and then came one on the chin that sent him rolling over in the snow.
"Dat's right, give it ter him!" shouted a newsboy who stood by, grinning from ear to ear. "Do him up in one round!"
Ferris got upon his feet slowly. His head felt dizzy from the shock he had received.
"Want any more?" demanded Hal, facing him with clenched fists.
"Cheese it! here comes der cops!" put in the newsboy.
Hal looked up, and saw a policeman bearing toward the spot. Ferris also gave a glance, and he muttered something under his breath.
"What did you say?" demanded Hal.
"I'll settle with you another time," replied Ferris.
And picking up his hat, which had landed in a near-by drift, he placed it on his head, and sneaked down the street at a rapid gait.
In a minute the policeman arrived at the spot.
"What is the trouble here?" he demanded.
"A fellow attacked me," replied Hal.
"I see your lip's cut. Why did he do it?"
"I got a job he used to have, and he's angry over it."
"Oh!" The policeman tossed his head. "Did you hit back?"
"I defended myself," replied Hal, briefly.
He was half afraid he might be called on to make some sort of a charge, a thing he did not wish to do now the encounter was over.
"He did der feller fer keeps!" put in the newsboy.
"Go on with you!" cried the policeman, and the newsboy ran off, while Hal started on his way back to the office.
"What's the matter with your lip?" inquired Hardwick, as the youth entered.
"I cut it," replied Hal.
The book-keeper turned and smiled to himself.
"I guess Ferris kept his word," he muttered. "He said he was going to fix the boy. I wish he had killed the tramp."
That afternoon dragged heavily, but at last it was time to close up. Mr. Sumner hardly spoke to either when they bade him good-evening.
Hardwick walked up Wall Street, and then turned into Nassau, instead of continuing to Broadway.
Suddenly an idea entered Hal's head to follow Hardwick.
Despite all the evidence pointing in other directions, the youth thought Hardwick either guilty of the robbery or else that the book-keeper knew much concerning it.
Hardwick continued up Nassau Street until he reached Park Row.
Hal kept out of sight behind the man, and presently Hardwick continued up Park Row until he came to one of the side streets just beyond the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge.
He turned into this street, piled high on either side with dirty snow, and then entered one of the worst thoroughfares in New York City.
By this time it was quite dark, and Hal had to keep close, for fear of losing sight of his man. He was now thoroughly interested, for he knew Hardwick boarded somewhere uptown, and it must be some special business that would bring the book-keeper to this part of the city on such a disagreeable evening.
At length Hardwick paused and glanced behind him. As soon as he saw the movement the boy stepped behind a bill-board out of sight.
Presently Hardwick continued on his way, walking faster than ever. The youth increased his speed.
"Hi! look sharp there!"
Hal was just about to cross a street when he almost ran into a heavy truck. He stepped back, and allowed the truck to pass. When he reached the opposite curb Hardwick had disappeared.
"He must have gone on straight ahead," thought the youth. "I will soon catch up to him again."
But though he continued onward for more than a block, he saw nothing of the book-keeper.
He looked up and down the side streets, and tried to peep into the curtained windows of several saloons that were close at hand.
"He must have gone in somewhere, that's certain," said Hal to himself. "I wonder if he discovered that I was following him?"
This last thought disturbed the youth not a little. His experience with Hardwick in the office had convinced him that the book-keeper was an evil man when aroused.
Slowly he retraced his steps, not certain if he could find his way back to Park Row, a spot he had got to know fairly well since his coming to the metropolis.
He was just passing a place where a new building was in the course of construction when a peculiar noise to one side of him attracted his attention. By instinct he jumped toward the gutter. The next instant a mass of bricks came tumbling down. One struck him on the head, and this knocked him insensible.