The telegraph boy's evidence overwhelmed Willis Ford and hisconfederates with dismay. The feeling was greater in Ford, for ittended to fasten the theft upon him, while Jim Morrison and TomCalder, though convicted of falsehood, were at all events sustainedby the consciousness that nothing worse could be alleged againstthem.
"It is false!" asserted Willis Ford, with a flushed face.
"It is true!" declared the telegraph boy, sturdily.
"I don't believe a word of it," said the housekeeper, angrily.
"This is a startling revelation, Mr. Ford," said the broker,gravely.
"It is a base conspiracy, sir," returned Ford, hoarsely. "I submit,sir, that the word of a boy like that ought not to weigh againstmine. Besides, these gentlemen," indicating Jim Morrison and TomCalder, "will corroborate my statement."
"Of course we do," blustered Morrison. "That boy is a liar!"
"I have spoken the truth, sir, and they know it," asserted Johnny,resolutely.
"How much did Grant Thornton pay you for telling this lie?" demandedWillis Ford, furiously.
"I will answer that question, Mr. Ford," said Grant, thinking ittime to speak for himself. "I paid him nothing, and did not knowtill last evening that he had witnessed the interview between youand Mr. Morrison."
"Your word is of no value," said Ford, scornfully.
"That is a matter for Mr. Reynolds to consider," answered Grant,with composure.
"Mr. Ford," said the broker, gravely, "I attach more importance tothe testimony of this telegraph boy than you appear to; but then itis to be considered that you are an interested party."
"Am I to be discredited on account of what a wretched telegraph boychooses to say?" asked Ford, bitterly. "Even supposing him worthy ofcredence, my two friends sustain me, and it is three against one."
"They are your friends, then?" asked Mr. Reynolds, significantly.
Willis Ford flushed. It was not to his credit to admit that anacknowledged gambler was his friend, yet he knew that to deny itwould make Morrison angry, and perhaps lead him to make some awkwardrevelations.
"I have not known them long, sir," he answered, embarrassed, "but Ibelieve they feel friendly to me. One of them," he added,maliciously, "is an old friend of Grant Thornton."
"Yes," answered Grant, by no means disconcerted. "Tom Calder is fromthe same town as myself, and I wish him well."
Tom looked pleased at this friendly declaration on the part ofGrant, whom, indeed, he personally liked better than Willis Ford,who evidently looked down upon him, and had more than once snubbedhim.
"You see," said Ford, adroitly, "that Grant Thornton's old friendtestifies against him. I don't think I need say any more except todeny, in toto, the statement of that low telegraph boy."
"I'm no lower than you are," retorted Johnny, angrily.
"None of your impertinence, boy!" said Ford, loftily.
"I must say," interposed the housekeeper, "that this seems a verydiscreditable conspiracy against my stepson. I am sure, Mr.Reynolds, you won't allow his reputation to be injured by such abase attack."
"Mr. Ford," said the broker, "I have listened attentively to whatyou have said. I ought to say that a telegraph boy has as much rightto be believed as yourself."
"Even when there are three against him?"
"The three are interested parties."
"I have no doubt he is also. I presume he has an understanding withGrant Thornton, who is a suspected thief."
"I deny that, Mr. Ford," exclaimed Grant, indignantly.
"You are certainly suspected of stealing my stepmother's bonds."
"And I have no doubt you took them," declared the housekeeper,venomously.
At this time the doorbell was heard to ring.
"Excuse me for a moment," said the broker. "I will be backdirectly."
When he had left the room, the parties left behind looked at eachother uncomfortably. Willis Ford, however, was too angry to keepsilence.
He turned to Grant, and made an attack upon him.
"You won't accomplish anything, you young rascal, by your plottingand contriving! I give you credit for a good deal of cunning inbringing this boy to give the testimony he has; but it won't do youany good. Mr. Reynolds isn't a fool, and he will see through yourdesign."
"That he will, Willis," said the housekeeper. "After all thekindness that boy has received in this house, he might be betteremployed than in stealing my bonds, and then trying to throw it upona man like you."
"I don't care to argue with you, Mr. Ford," said Grant, quietly."You know as well as I do that I didn't steal the bonds, and youknow," he added, significantly, "who did."
"I have a great mind to break your head, you impudent boy!"
"That would be a very poor argument. The truth has already come out,and I am vindicated."
"I don't know whether you expect Mr. Reynolds to shield you or not,but, if my mother takes my advice, she will have you arrested,whatever happens."
"I intend to," said the housekeeper, nodding spitefully. "If you hadreturned the bonds, I did not mean to let the matter drop, but sinceyou have tried to throw suspicion on my son, who has always beendevoted to me, I mean to punish you as severely as the law allows."
"I think you will change your mind, Mrs. Estabrook, and let thethief go unpunished," said Grant, in no ways disturbed.
"Not unless you make a full confession; and even then I think youought to suffer for your base wickedness."
"You are making a mistake, Mrs. Estabrook. I referred to the thief."
"That is yourself."
Grant shrugged his shoulders. He was spared the necessity ofanswering the attack, for just then the door opened, and Mr.Reynolds re-entered. He did not enter alone, however.
A small man of quiet manner, attired in a sober suit of brown,closely followed him.
All present looked at him in surprise. Who was this man, and whathad he to do with the matter that concerned them all?
They were not destined to remain long in doubt,
"Mr. Graham, gentlemen!" said the broker, with a wave of the hand.
The detective bowed courteously.
"Mr. Graham, permit me to ask," continued the broker, "if you haveseen any of these gentlemen before?"
"Yes," answered Graham, and he indicated Grant Thornton, JimMorrison and Tom Calder.
"When did you see them, and where?"
"At the Fifth Avenue Hotel this morning."
"What passed between them?"
"They were talking about some bonds, which that gentleman,"indicating Morrison, "acknowledged giving to the boy to sell. Heasked for the proceeds, but the boy told him there was somethingwrong about the bonds, and his employer wouldn't allow him to passover the money. Upon this, Morrison, as I understand him to becalled, said they were given him by a party that owed him money, andthreatened that, if he had played a trick upon him, it would be theworse for him."
"Who is that man, Mr. Reynolds?" asked Ford, in nervous excitement.
"One of the best known detectives in the city," quietly answered thebroker. "What have you to say to his evidence?"
"That it doesn't concern me. I may be wrong about the boy taking thebonds, but that doesn't involve me. There may have been anotherparty."
"You forget the testimony of the telegraph boy--that he saw you givethe bonds to your friend there."
"The boy told a falsehood!"
"I am in a position to confirm the boy's testimony," said thedetective.
Willis Ford gasped for breath and seemed ready to sink into thefloor. What was coming next?
CHAPTER XXIII -- JUSTICE TRIUMPHS
Mr. Graham turned to the broker and addressed further remarks tohim.
"Your statement that four hundred dollars remained to be accountedfor, led me to conclude that they would be found in the possessionof the party who had abstracted the others. I therefore obtained asearch warrant and visited the room occupied by that gentleman,whose name I believe is Willis Ford."
T
his was an unexpected stroke. Ford did not speak, but kept his eyesfixed upon the detective in evident panic.
"I have just come from Mr. Ford's room," he resumed. "These are whatI found there."
He drew from his pocket a long envelope, from which he took fourgovernment bonds.
"Will you be kind enough, Mrs. Estabrook," said the broker, gravely,"to examine these bonds and determine whether they are yours?"
The housekeeper took them mechanically and examined them.
"They are mine," she said; "but I cannot believe Willis took them."
"I did not," said Ford, hoarsely, but his eyes were downcast.
"Will you account for their being in your room, then, Mr. Ford?"inquired the broker, sternly.
"That boy must have put them there. I know nothing of them. I am asmuch surprised as you are."
"We have had enough of this, Mr. Ford," said the broker, coldly."Your guilt is evident. In robbing your stepmother you havecommitted a serious crime; but in attempting to throw the guilt uponan innocent boy, you have been guilty of an offense still moredetestable, and one which I cannot forgive. You cannot remain in myemployment another day. If you will call at the office in themorning, I will pay your salary to the end of the month. That willend all relations between us."
Willis Ford looked like a convicted criminal. For the moment all hishardihood and bravado deserted him.
"Can this be true, Willis?" wailed his stepmother. "Is it possiblethat you took my bonds, and would have left me to an old age ofpoverty?"
"No," answered Ford, with a return of his usual assurance. "I am asinnocent as a babe unborn. I am the victim of a conspiracy. As Mr.Reynolds is determined to shield his favorite by throwing the blameon it, I must submit. The time will come when he will acknowledge myinnocence. Mother, I will satisfy you later, but I do not believeyou will think me guilty. Gentlemen, I bid you all good-evening."
No one spoke as he withdrew from the room, and not even Morrisonoffered to follow him.
When he was fairly out of the room, the broker turned to Morrison.
"Mr. Morrison," he said, "I have a question or two to put to you. Ithink you will find it to your interest to answer correctly. Do youstill maintain that these bonds were given you by Grant Thornton?"
"I may as well make a clean breast of it," said Morrison. "They weregiven me by Willis Ford."
"To satisfy a gambling debt, was it not?"
"Yes, sir."
"I take it for granted you did not know they were stolen?"
"If I had known it I wouldn't have touched them. I might have beensuspected of stealing them myself."
"I believe you."
"You're a gentleman," said Morrison, gratified that his word wasaccepted.
"Of course you have lost the amount which you consider due you. Tobe entirely candid with you, I do not feel any sympathy with you.Money won at play must be classed among ill-gotten gains. I hope youwill realize this, and give up a discreditable profession."
"I have no doubt your advice is good, sir. Do you want me and Tomany longer?"
"You are at liberty to go. I am indebted to you for coming. You havehelped to clear up the mystery of the theft."
"He's a little hard on us, Tom," said Morrison, as they went downthe front steps, "but he's treated us like a gentleman. That Ford isa rascal."
"I think so, too," Tom assented.
"And I shall never see a cent of that six hundred dollars,"continued Jim Morrison, ruefully.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll go to my own room," said Mrs. Estabrook,pertly. "I want to think quietly of all this."
"Go, by all means," said the broker, courteously. "To-morrow morningyour property shall be restored to you."
Next the detective and the telegraph boy withdrew, the latter richby a five-dollar note, which Mr. Reynolds presented him.
Johnny's eyes sparkled.
"That will make mother happy," he said. "She'll think I am in luck."
"Keep your eyes open, my boy, and be faithful to your employer, andthis won't be the last piece of luck that will come your way."
When they were alone Mr. Reynolds turned to Grant and said kindly,"I congratulate you, Grant, on your complete vindication. Those whohave wickedly conspired against you have come to grief, and you comeout of the trial unscathed. As I am to part with Willis Ford, thoughyou are not competent to take his place, your duties will besomewhat enlarged, and I will take care that your compensation shallbe increased."
"I am afraid, Mr. Reynolds, I already receive more than I earn."
"That may be, but I am only anticipating a little. How much do I payyou now?"
"Six dollars a week, sir."
"I will allow you four dollars more, but this additional sum I willkeep in my own hands, and credit you with. It is time you weresaving something for future use. Will this be satisfactory to you?"
"You are very kind, Mr. Reynolds," said Grant. "I don't know how tothank you."
"Then I will tell you--be faithful in your duties in the office andcontinue your kindness to Herbert."
"Gladly, sir."
Grant decided not to write to his mother about his increase insalary. He preferred to wait till his savings amounted to aconsiderable sum, and then surprise her by the announcement of hisgood fortune. In six months, he estimated, he would have more than ahundred dollars, and this to the country minister's son seemed alarge sum. At any rate, when he was twenty-one he might hope to bethe possessor of a thousand dollars. This opened to Grant abrilliant prospect. It was probably all his father was worth,including all his possessions.
"In spite of my uncle's opposition," thought Grant, "I think I actedwisely in preferring business to college. Now I shall be able tomake the family more comfortable."
When Willis Ford called at the office the next morning Grant wasgone to the post office. As he returned he met Ford coming out witha check in his hand.
"So it's you, is it?" sneered Ford, stopping short.
"Yes, Mr. Ford."
"I suppose you are exulting over your victory?"
"You are mistaken," said Grant. "It was not my wish that anythingunpleasant should happen."
"I suppose not," said Ford, in an unpleasant tone.
"For some reason you have shown a dislike to me from the first,"Grant proceeded. "I don't know why. I have always treated you withrespect and tried to do my duty faithfully."
"You are a little angel, to be sure."
"Have you any objection to telling me why you dislike me?" he asked.
"Yes, I'll tell you. It is because I see how you are trying to wormyourself into the confidence of Mr. Reynolds. You have plottedagainst me, and now, thanks to you, I have lost my place."
"I don't consider myself the cause of that, Mr. Ford."
"I do. But you needn't exult too much. I generally pay my debts, andI shan't forget what I owe you. I will be even with you some day."
So saying, he walked off, and Grant returned to his work.
"I can't understand why Mr. Ford should hate me so," he thought.
CHAPTER XXIV -- STARTLING NEWS
Willis Ford's feelings were far from enviable when he took leave ofthe office in which he had long enjoyed an excellent position. Hewas conscious, though scarcely willing to admit it, that hismisfortunes had been brought upon him by his own unwise, not to saycriminal, course. None the less, however, was he angry with thosewhom he had connected with the disaster that had come upon him. Hehad always disliked Grant Thornton. Now he hated him, and thirstedfor an opportunity to do him mischief. Next he felt embitteredagainst Mr. Reynolds, who had discharged him, though it is hardlypossible to see how the broker could have done otherwise. Thisdislike was increased within a few days, and for this reason.
Ford addressed a letter to Mr. Reynolds, requesting a certificate ofgood character, which would enable him to procure a new situation.
To this request the broker answered substantially as follows:
"I shall be glad to hear that you have change
d your course, and havedecided to lead an honest lift; but, for the same reason that I amnot willing to retain you in my employment, I am unwilling torecommend you without reserve to another business man. If you arewilling to refer him to me, on condition that I tell the truth, Iwill cheerfully testify that you have discharged your office dutiesto my satisfaction."
"The old fool!" muttered Ford, angrily crushing the letter in hishand. "What use would such a recommendation be to me? Not contentwith discharging me, he wants to keep me out of employment."
In truth, Willis Ford hardly knew where to turn. He had saved nomoney, and was earning nothing. In his dilemma he turned to hisstepmother.
One forenoon, after he knew the broker and Grant would be out of theway, he rang the bell, and inquired for the housekeeper.
Mrs. Estabrook was agitated when she saw her step-son. She did notlike to believe that he had robbed her, but it was hard to believeotherwise.
"Oh, Willis!" she said almost bursting into tears, "how could youtake my small savings? I would not have believed you capable of it!"
"You don't mean to say, mother," returned Willis, withwell-dissembled and reproachful sorrow, "that you believe thismonstrous slander?"
"I don't want to believe it, Willis, heaven knows. But were not thebonds found in your room?"
"I admit it," said Ford; "but how did they get there?"
"Did you not put them there?"
"Certainly not, mother. I thought you knew me better than that."