CHAPTER IV.
HAL STANDS UP FOR HIMSELF.
Hal now found himself in a tight situation. Felix Hardwick had him bythe 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 agentleman a thief."
He continued his choking process, paying no attention to his employer'sefforts to haul him away.
But by this time Hal began to realize that Hardwick was in earnest. Hebegan to kick, and presently landed a blow in the book-keeper's stomachthat completely winded the man.
Hardwick relaxed his hold, and Hal sprang away.
"Stop! stop!" ordered Mr. Sumner. "I will not have such disgracefulscenes in this office."
"But he intimated I was a thief," said Hardwick, trying to catch hiswind.
"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 thebroker. "And I am not a tramp."
"Then supposing we make it a poor-house beggar," returned Hardwick, witha short laugh.
Hal turned red. The shot was a cruel one.
"Hush! Hardwick," cried Mr. Sumner. "There is no necessity for suchlanguage."
The broker turned to Hal.
"You just made a strange statement, Carson," he said. "How do you knowMr. Hardwick contemplated robbing the safe?"
"Because I do."
"That is no answer."
"I overheard him and Mr. Allen talking about the bonds being in thesafe."
"When?"
"The evening I came to New York."
"What was said?"
"I can't repeat the words, but they said the bonds were worth nearlyeighty thousand dollars, and that the safe was often left open duringthe 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 turncomes."
Hardwick pulled at the ends of his mustache, but he did not dare toreply 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 conversationwhich he had overheard.
The broker listened attentively, but his face fell when Hal hadfinished.
"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. "Butnothing was said about stealing them. Why, Mr. Sumner--why should yourown partner and trusted book-keeper conspire to rob you? It ispreposterous! I have an idea."
"What is this?"
"That he heard us speaking of your careless habit, and endeavored toform 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 todo with them, if I had them."
At that moment Mr. Allen arrived. He saw that something unusual hadtaken place.
"What's up?" he asked.
"The tin box containing the Mason railroad bonds is missing," repliedMr. 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," addedHardwick, 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 othernight," went on the book-keeper, hastily, "and from that he judged wemust 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 toknow what has become of it."
"Better call in the police," suggested Hardwick. "And in the meantimekeep 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, youleft 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 therest 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 bigmistake by not watching the stranger during the time he was in theoffice back of the railing.
"I believe I saw the man wink at this boy as he went out," put inHardwick. "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 thebook-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," venturedMr. 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 ornot this boy here was in with the fellow. If you will take my advice,Sumner, you will have him arrested without delay."