"Yes, I remember him. But how do you happen to know Tom Calder, Mr.Ford?"
"He had a room at the same house with me. He introduced himself as afriend of this boy."
"Do you know anything of him--how he earns his living?"
"Haven't the faintest idea," answered Ford. "My acquaintance withhim is very slight."
"There seems a mystery here," said the broker. "This Morrison givesGrant two bonds to dispose of, which are identified as belonging tomy housekeeper. How did he obtain possession of them? That is thequestion."
"There isn't much doubt about that," said Mrs. Estabrook. "This boywhom you have taken into your family has taken them."
"You are entirely mistaken, Mrs. Estabrook," said Grant,indignantly.
"Of course you say so!" retorted the housekeeper; "but it stands toreason that that is the way it happened. You took them and gave themto this man--that is, if there is such a man."
"Your son says there is, Mrs. Estabrook," said the broker, quietly.
"Well, I don't intend to say how it happened. Likely enough the manis a thief, and that boy is his accomplice."
"You will oblige me by not jumping at conclusions, Mrs. Estabrook,"said Mr. Reynolds. "Whoever has taken the bonds is likely to bediscovered. Meanwhile your loss will, at all events, be partiallymade up, since Grant has the money realized from the sale of thegreater part of them."
"I should like to place the money in your hands, Mr. Reynolds," saidGrant.
"But it belongs to me," said the housekeeper.
"That is undoubtedly true," said her employer; "but till the matteris ascertained beyond a doubt I will retain the money."
"How can there be any doubt?" asked the housekeeper, discontented.
"I do not think there is; but I will tell you now. You claim thatyour bonds were marked by certain numbers, two of which belong tothose which were bought by Mr. Ford at the office to-day?"
"Yes, sir."
"Meanwhile, you and your stepson have had time to compare notes, andyou have had a chance to learn his numbers."
Mrs. Estabrook turned livid.
"I didn't expect to have such a charge brought against me, Mr.Reynolds, and by you," she said, her voice trembling with passion.
"I have brought no such charge, Mrs. Estabrook. I have onlyexplained how there may be doubt of your claim to the money."
"I thought you knew me better, sir."
"I think I do, and I also think I know Grant better than to thinkhim capable of abstracting your bonds. Yet you have had nohesitation in bringing this serious charge against him."
"That is different, sir."
"Pardon me, I can see no difference. He has the same right that youhave to be considered innocent till he is proved to be guilty."
"You must admit, sir," said Willis Ford, "that appearances are verymuch against Grant."
"I admit nothing, at present; for the affair seems to becomplicated. Perhaps, Mr. Ford, you can offer some suggestion thatwill throw light upon the mystery."
"I don't think it very mysterious, sir. My mother kept her bonds inthe upper drawer of her bureau. This boy had the run of the house.What was to prevent his entering my mother's room, opening thedrawer, and taking anything he found of value?"
"What was to prevent some one else doing it, Mr. Ford--myself, forexample?"
"Of course that is different, Mr. Reynolds."
"Well, I don't know. I am honest, and so, I believe, is Grant."
"Thank you, sir," said Grant, gratefully.
"It just occurred to me," said Ford, "to ask my mother if she has atany time lost or mislaid her keys."
"Well thought of, Mr. Ford," and Mr. Reynolds turned to hishousekeeper for a reply.
"No," answered Mrs. Estabrook. "I keep my keys in my pocket, and Ihave them there yet."
So saying, she produced four keys attached to a ring.
"Then," continued Ford, "if Grant chances to have a key which willfit the bureau drawer, that would be evidence against him."
"Show me any keys you may have, Grant," said the broker.
Grant thrust his hand in his pocket and drew out two keys. He lookedat them in astonishment.
"One of them unlocks my valise," he said. "The other is a strangekey. I did not know I had it."
Ford smiled maliciously. "Let us see if it will open the bureaudrawer," he said.
The party adjourned to the housekeeper's room. The key was put intothe lock of the bureau drawer and opened it at once.
"I think there is no more to be said," said Willis Ford,triumphantly.
Grant looked the picture of surprise and dismay.
CHAPTER XVIII -- GRANT'S ENEMIES TRIUMPH
It is not too much to say that Grant was overwhelmed by theunexpected discovery, in his pocket, of a key that fitted thehousekeeper's drawer. He saw at once how strong it made the evidenceagainst him, and yet he knew himself to be innocent. The mostpainful thought was, that Mr. Reynolds would believe him to beguilty.
In fact, the broker for the first time began to think that Grantmight possibly have yielded to temptation.
"Can't you account for the possession of that key?" he asked.
"No, sir," answered Grant, in painful embarrassment. "I haveoccasion to use but one key, and that is the key to my valise."
"I think you had occasion to use the other," sneered Ford.
"Mr. Ford," retorted Grant, indignantly, "you are determined tothink me guilty; but I care nothing for your opinion. I should bevery sorry if Mr. Reynolds should think me capable of suchbaseness."
"Your guilt seems pretty clear," said Ford, sarcastically; "as Ihave no doubt Mr. Reynolds will agree."
"Speak for yourself, Mr. Ford," said the banker, quietly.
"I hope you are not going to shield that young thief, Mr. Reynolds,"said the housekeeper. "His guilt is as clear as noonday. I think heought to be arrested."
"You are rather in a hurry, Mrs. Estabrook," said Mr. Reynolds; "andI must request you to be careful how you make charges against me."
"Against you?" asked the housekeeper, alarmed at his tone.
"Yes," answered the broker, sternly. "You have insinuated that Iintend to shield a supposed thief. I have only to say that atpresent the theft is to be proved."
"I submit, sir," said Ford, "that the evidence is pretty strong.The boy is proved to have had the bonds in his possession, he admitsthat he sold a part of them and has the money in his possession, anda key is found in his possession which will open the drawer in whichthe bonds were kept."
"Who put the key in my pocket?" demanded Grant, quickly.
For a moment Willis Ford looked confused, and his momentaryconfusion was not lost upon Grant or the banker.
"No doubt you put it there yourself," he answered, sharply, after amonent's pause.
"That matter will be investigated," said the broker.
"I think the money ought to be paid to me," said the housekeeper.
"Can you prove your ownership of the bonds?" asked the broker.
"I can," answered Willis Ford, flippantly. "I have seen them."
"I should like some additional evidence," said Mr. Reynolds. "Youare related to Mrs. Esta-brook, and may be supposed to have someinterest in the matter."
"What proof can I have?" asked the housekeeper, disturbed by thisunexpected obstacle.
"Have you the memorandum of the broker who bought you the bonds."
"I don't know, sir."
"Then you had better look."
The housekeeper searched the drawer, and produced, triumphantly, amemorandum to the effect that she had purchased the bonds of awell-known house in Wall Street.
"So far, so good!" said the broker. "It appears that besides thebonds sold you had four one-hundred-dollar bonds?"
"Yes, sir."
"You had not parted with them?"
"No, sir."
"They will some time be put on the market, and then we shall have aclew to the mystery."
"That boy has probably got th
em," said the housekeeper, nodding herhead emphatically.
"You are at liberty to search my chamber, Mrs. Estabrook," saidGrant, quietly.
"He may have passed them over to that man Morrison," suggested thehousekeeper.
"I hardly think that likely," said Willis Ford, who saw danger tohimself in any persecution of Jim Morrison.
Mr. Reynolds noticed his defense of Morrison, and glanced at himthoughtfully.
"Mrs. Estabrook," he said, "I am satisfied that you possessed thebonds which you claim, and I will relieve your mind by saying that Iwill guarantee you against loss by their disappearance. You needhave no further anxiety on the subject. I will undertake toinvestigate the matter, which at present appears to be involved inmystery. Whether or not I succeed in solving it will not matter toyou, since you are saved from loss."
"Thank you, sir," said the housekeeper, feeling considerablyrelieved; "it wasn't much, but it was my all. I depended upon it touse when old age prevented me from earning my living."
"I am glad you are so wise in providing for the future."
"You won't let that boy escape?" the housekeeper could not helpadding.
"If you refer to Grant Thornton, I think I may say for him that hehas no intention of leaving us."
"Is he to stay in the house?"
"Of course; and I expect him to aid me in coming to the truth. Letme request, Mrs. Estabrook, that you discontinue referring to him inoffensive terms, or I may withdraw my offer guaranteeing you fromloss. Grant, if you will accompany me, I have some questions to putto you."
Grant and his employer left the room together.
"He won't let the boy be punished, though he must know he's guilty,"said Mrs. Estabrook, spitefully.
"He makes a fool of himself about that boy," said Willis Ford,disconcerted.
"He's an artful young vagabond," said the housekeeper. "I know hetook the bonds."
"Of course he did," Ford assented, though he had the best of reasonsfor knowing that Grant was innocent.
"At any rate," he continued, "you are all right, mother, since Mr.Reynolds agrees to make up the value of the bonds to you. When youget your money, just consult me about investing it. Don't put itinto bonds, for they may be stolen."
"Perhaps I'd better put it into the savings bank," said hisstepmother.
"You'll get very small interest there; I can invest it so you canmake quite as much. However, there will be time enough to speak ofthat when you've got the money. Now, mother, I shall have to bid yougood-evening."
"Can't you stay longer, Willis? I feel so upset that I don't like tobe left alone. I don't know what that boy may do."
"I think you are safe," said Willis Ford, secretly amused. But, ashe left the house, he felt seriously disquieted. There was dangerthat Jim Morrison, when he found the money which he was to receivewithheld, would be incensed and denounce Ford, who had received backhis evidence of indebtedness. Should he divulge that the bonds hadbeen given him by Ford, Grant would be cleared, and he would beconvicted of theft.
As Ford was leaving the house a telegraph boy was just ascending thesteps. It was John Cavanagh, already referred to.
As his eyes rested on Ford, he said to himself: "Where have I seenthat feller? I know his face."
Then it flashed upon the boy that he had seen Ford at the GrandCentral Hotel, in the act of giving bonds to Jim Morrison.
"It's queer I should meet him here," said the telegraph boy tohimself. "I wonder what game he's up to."
Johnny was introduced into the presence of Mr. Reynolds, for whom hehad a message. On his way out he met Grant in the hall. The two boyswere acquainted, Grant having at one time advanced Johnny twodollars toward paying his mother's rent.
"Do you live here?" asked the telegraph boy.
"Yes," answered Grant.
"I met a feller goin' out that I've seen before. Who was it?"
"Willis Ford, a clerk of Mr. Reynolds."
"I seed him in the Grand Central Hotel yesterday givin' some bondsto a suspicious-lookin' chap."
"You did," exclaimed Grant. "Come right up and tell that to Mr.Reynolds," and he seized the astonished telegraph boy by the arm.
CHAPTER XIX -- IMPORTANT EVIDENCE
Mr. Reynolds looked rather surprised when Grant appeared, drawingthe telegraph boy after him.
"This boy has got something to tell you about Mr. Ford," said Grant,breathless with excitement.
"About Mr. Ford?" repeated the broker. "What do you know aboutWillis Ford?"
"I don't know his name," replied Johnny. "It's the chap that justwent out of the house."
"It was Mr. Ford," explained Grant.
"Tell me what you know about him," said the broker, encouragingly.
"I seed him in the Grand Central Hotel, givin' some bond to aflashy-lookin' man. There was a boy wid him, a big boy."
"With whom--Mr. Ford?"
"No, wid the other chap."
"I know who he means, sir," said Grant. "It was Tom Calder."
"And the man?"
"Was Jim Morrison, the same man that gave me the bonds to sell."
"That seems important," said Mr. Reynolds. "I did not believe Fordcapable of such rascality."
"He had as good a chance to take the bonds as I, sir. He was herelast evening."
"Was he?" asked the broker, quickly. "I did not know that."
"He was here for an hour at least. I saw him come in and go out."
Mr. Reynolds asked several more questions of the telegraph boy, andenjoined him to silence.
"My boy," he said, "come here to-morrow evening at half-past seven.I may want you."
"I will, sir, if I can get away. I shall be on duty."
"Say to the telegraph company that I have an errand for you. Yourtime will be paid for."
"That will make it all right, sir."
"And, meanwhile, here is a dollar for your own use."
Johnny's eyes sparkled, for with his limited earnings this sum wouldcome in very handy. He turned away, nearly forgetting the originalerrand that brought him to the house, but luckily it occurred intime. The nature of it has nothing to do with this story.
When Johnny had gone, Mr. Reynolds said: "Grant, I need not cautionyou not to breathe a word of this. I begin to think that there is aconspiracy against you; but whether Willis Ford is alone in it, orhas a confederate I cannot decide. My housekeeper does not appear tolike you."
"No, sir, I am sorry to say she does not; but I don't think she isin this plot. I think she honestly believes that I stole her bonds."
"I have too great confidence in you to believe it. I own I was alittle shaken when the key was found. You have no idea how it camein your pocket, I suppose?"
"No, sir, I can't guess. I might suspect Mr. Ford of putting itthere, but I can't see how he managed it."
"Well, we will let matters take their course. You will go to work asusual, and not speak a word of what has happened this evening."
"Thank you, sir."
Meanwhile, we must follow Willis Ford. When he left the house, hewas by no means in a comfortable frame of mind. He felt that it wasabsolutely necessary to see Jim Morrison, and have an understandingwith him. What arrangements he could make with him, or how he couldreconcile him to the loss of the money which he had expected toreceive from the sale of the bonds, he could not yet imagine.Perhaps he would be willing to receive the other four bonds in partpayment. In that case Willis himself would not profit as much as hehad hoped from the theft; but there seemed no alternative. He hadgot himself into a scrape, and he must get out of it the best waypossible.
Though he did not know where to find Morrison, he thought it likelythat he might be seen at the White Elephant, a large and showybilliard room on Broadway, near Thirtieth Street. There were severalgambling houses near by, and there or in that neighborhood hethought that Morrison might be met.
He was right. On entering the billiard room he found the man hesought playing a game of billiards with Tom Calder, at the firsttable.
/>
"I want to see you, Morrison," he said, in a low voice. "Is the game'most finished?"
"I have only six points more to make. I shall probably run out thistime."
He was right in his estimate. Two minutes later the two went out ofthe saloon together, accompanied by Tom.
"Well, what is it?" he asked.
"Let us turn into a side street."
They turned into Thirtieth Street, which was much less brilliantlylighted than Broadway, and sauntered leisurely along.
"Did you buy the bonds of that boy?" asked Morrison, anxiously.
"Yes."
"Then it's all right. Have you brought me the money?"
"How should I?" returned Ford, impatiently. "I couldn't pay him, andkeep the money myself."
"Oh, well, it doesn't matter. He is to meet me to-morrow morning andhand over the money."
"I am afraid you will be disappointed." "Disappointed," repeatedMorrison, quickly. "What do you mean? The boy hasn't made off withthe money, has he? If he has---" and the sentence ended with anoath.
"No, it isn't as you suppose."
"Then why won't he pay me the money, I'd like to know?"
"There is some trouble about the bonds. It is charged that they arestolen."
"How is that? You gave them to me," said Morrison, suspiciously.
Now came the awkward moment. However, Ford had decided on the storyhe would tell.