CHAPTER XV.
THE TIN BOX.
"I met my dootiful son this mornin'," remarked Martin to his employer,at their next interview.
"Did you?" said Smith, carelessly, for he felt little interest inMartin's relations.
"Yes; he's in business in Wall Street."
"How's that?" asked Smith, his attention arrested by this statement.
"He's with Turner, the banker. He was going to the bank, with a tin boxunder his arm. I'd like to have the money there was in it."
"Did he tell you there was money in it?"
"No; but I'll bet there was enough in it to make a poor man rich."
"Perhaps so," said Smith, thoughtfully.
"How old is your son?" he inquired, after a pause.
"Fifteen or sixteen, I've forgotten which. You see he isn't my own son;I married his mother, who was a widder with two children; that's the wayof it."
"I suppose he doesn't live with you."
"No; he's an undootiful boy. He haint no gratitude for all I've done forhim. He wouldn't care if I starved in the street."
"That shows a bad disposition," said Smith, who seemed disposed toprotract the conversation for some purposes of his own.
"Yes," said Martin, wiping his eyes pathetically with a redhandkerchief; "he's an ungrateful young scamp. He's set my littledaughter Rose ag'inst me,--she that set everything by me till he madeher believe all sorts of lies about me."
"Why don't you come up with him?"
"I don't know how."
"I suppose you would have no objections if I should tell you."
"No," said Martin, hesitating; "that is, if it aint dangerous. If Ishould give him a lickin' in the street, he'd call the police, and swearI wasn't his father."
"That isn't what I mean. I'll think it over, and tell you by and by. Nowwe'll talk about business."
It was not until the next day that Smith unfolded to Martin his plan of"coming up with" Rufus. It was of so bold a character that Martin wasstartled, and at first refused to have any part in it, not from anyconscientious scruples,--for Martin's conscience was both tough andelastic,--but solely because he was a coward, and had a wholesome dreadof the law. But Smith set before him the advantages which would accrueto him personally, in so attractive a manner, that at length heconsented, and the two began at once to concoct arrangements forsuccessfully carrying out the little plan agreed upon.
Not to keep the reader in suspense, it was no less than forciblydepriving Rufus of the tin box, some morning on his way home from thebank. This might bring Rufus into trouble, while Martin and Smith wereto share the contents, which, judging from the wealth of Mr. Turner,were likely to be of considerable value.
"There may be enough to make your fortune," suggested Smith.
"If I don't get nabbed."
"Oh, there'll be no danger, if you will manage things as I direct you."
"I'll have all the danger, and you'll share the profits," grumbledMartin.
"Isn't the idea mine?" retorted Smith. "Is it the soldiers who get allthe credit for a victory, or doesn't the general who plans the campaignreceive his share? Besides, I may have to manage converting thesecurities into cash. There isn't one chance in a hundred of yourgetting into trouble if you do as I tell you; but if you do, rememberyour oath."
With this Martin was forced to be contented. He was only a commonrascal, while Smith was one of a higher order, and used him as a tool.In the present instance, despite his assurances, Smith acknowledged tohimself that the plan he had proposed was really attended withconsiderable danger, but this he ingloriously managed that Martin shouldincur, while he lay back, and was ready to profit by it if it shouldprove successful.
Meanwhile Rufus was at work as usual, quite unconscious of the dangerwhich menaced him. His encounter with Martin gave him a littleuneasiness, for he feared that the latter might renew his attempts togain possession of Rose. Farther than this he had no fears. He wonderedat the sudden improvement in Martin's fortunes, and could not conjecturewhat business he could have engaged in which would give him a hundreddollars a month. He might have doubted his assertion, but that hisunusually respectable appearance, and the roll of bills which he haddisplayed, seemed to corroborate his statement. He was glad that hisstep-father was doing well, having no spite against him, provided hewould not molest him and Rose.
He decided not to mention to Rose or Miss Manning that he had metMartin, as it might occasion them anxiety. He contented himself bywarning them to be careful, as Martin was no doubt still in the city,and very likely prowling round in the hopes of finding out where theylived.
It was towards the close of business hours that Mr. Marston, the headclerk, handed Rufus a tin box, saying, "Rufus, you may carry this roundto the Bank of the Commonwealth."
"Yes, sir," said Rufus.
It was one of his daily duties, and he took the box as a matter ofcourse, and started on his errand. When he first entered the office, thefeeling that property of value was committed to his charge gave him afeeling of anxious responsibility; but now he had become used to it, andceased to think of danger. Probably he would have felt less security,had he seen Mr. Martin prowling about on the opposite side of thestreet, his eyes attentively fixed on the entrance to Mr. Turner'soffice. When Martin saw Rufus depart on his errand, he threw away thecigar he had in his mouth, and crossed the street. He followed Rufusclosely, unobserved by our hero, to whom it did not occur to look back.
"It's a risky business," thought Martin, rather nervously. "I wish Ihadn't undertaken it. Ten to one I'll get nabbed."
He was more than half inclined to give up his project; but if he shoulddo so he knew he would get into disgrace with his employers. Besides,the inducements held out to him were not small. He looked covetously atthe tin box under the arm of Rufus, and speculated as to the value ofthe contents. Half of it would perhaps make him a rich man. The stakewas worth playing for, and he plucked up courage and determined toproceed.
Circumstances favored his design.
Before going to the bank, Rufus was obliged to carry a message to anoffice on the second floor of a building on Wall Street.
"This is my opportunity," thought Martin.
He quickened his steps, and as Rufus placed his foot on the lower stepof the staircase, he was close upon him. Hearing the step behind him,our hero turned, only in time to receive a violent blow in the face,which caused him to fall forward. He dropped the box as he fell, whichwas instantly snatched by Mr. Martin, who lost no time in making hisescape.
The blow was so violent that Rufus was for the moment stunned. It wasonly for a moment, however. He quickly recovered himself, and at oncerealized his position. He knew, also, that it was Martin who hadsnatched the box, for he had recognized him during the instant of timethat preceded the blow.
He sprang to his feet, and dashed into the street, looking eagerly oneither side for the thief. But Martin, apprehending immediate pursuit,had slipped into a neighboring door-way, and, making his way upstairs,remained in concealment for ten minutes. Not suspecting this, Rufushastened to Nassau Street, and ran toward the bank, looking about himeagerly for Martin. The latter, in the mean while, slipped out of thedoor-way, and hurried by a circuitous course to Fulton Ferry, whereSmith had arranged to meet him and relieve him of the tin box.
"Have you got it?" asked Smith, who had been waiting anxiously for overan hour.
"Here it is," said Martin, "and I'm glad to be rid of it. I wouldn't doit again for a thousand dollars."
"I hope you'll get more than that out of it," said Smith, cheerfully."You've done well. Did you have much trouble?"
"Not much; but I had to work quick. I followed him into a door-way, andthen grabbed it. When'll you divide?"
"Come round to the house this evening, and we'll attend to it."
"Honor bright?"
"Of course."
Meanwhile Rufus, in a painful state of excitement, ran this way andthat, in the faint hope of setting eyes upon the thief. He kn
ew verywell that however innocent he had been in the matter, and howeverimpossible it was for him to foresee and prevent the attack, the losswould subject him to suspicion, and it might be supposed that he hadconnived at the theft. His good character was at stake, and all hisbright prospects were imperilled.
Meeting a policeman, he hurriedly imparted to him the particulars of thetheft, and described Martin.
"A tall man with a blue coat and slouched hat," repeated the officer. "Ithink I saw him turn into Wall Street half an hour ago. Was his nosered?"
"Yes," said Rufus.
"He hasn't come back this way, or I should have seen him. He must havegone the other way, or else dodged into some side street or door-way.I'll go back with you."
The two went back together, but it was too late. Martin was by this timeat some distance, hurrying towards Fulton Ferry.
Rufus felt that the matter was too serious for him to manage alone, andwith reluctant step went back to the office to communicate his loss. Aformidable task was before him, and he tried to prepare himself for it.It would naturally be inferred that he had been careless, if notdishonest, and he knew that his formerly having been a street boy wouldweigh against him. But, whatever might be the consequences, he knew thatit was his duty to report the loss instantly.