"How then did it come there?"
Mr. Lynx was saved the trouble of answering by another tap on thedoor.
"Who is it now?" he said.
He stepped to the door, and opening it, admitted Susan.
"What is it, Susan," asked Mrs. Hamilton, in some surprise.
"Did Mrs. Hill bring you a pawn ticket, ma'am?"
"And what do you know about it?" demanded Mr. Lynx brusquely.
"And did she say she found it on Master Ben's bureau?"
"Yes, Susan," said the mistress; "what can you tell us about it?"
"I can tell you this, ma'am, that I saw Master Conrad steal into theroom this morning, and put it there with his own hands."
"Ha! this is something to the purpose." said the detective briskly.
"Are you sure of this, Susan?" asked Mrs. Hamilton, evidently shocked.
"I can take my Bible oath of it, ma'am; and it's my belief that he'stryin' to get Master Ben into trouble."
"Thank you, Susan," said her mistress. "You have done not only Ben,but myself, a valuable service. You can go. I will see that you donot regret it."
"Don't tell Mrs. Hill that I told you, or she'd be my enemy for life!"
"I will see to that."
As Susan left the room, Mr. Lynx said:
"You won't require my services any longer. It is clear enough whopawned the glass."
"You mean--"
"I mean the boy Conrad, whose mother was so anxious to fix the guiltupon your young secretary. If you have the slightest doubt about it,invite the young gentleman to accompany you to Simpson's to redeem theopera glass."
"I will."
CHAPTER XXIXSOME UNEXPECTED CHANGES
When Conrad came home his first visit was to his mother.
"Has anything been found out about the stolen opera glass?" he asked,with a studied air of indifference.
"I should say there had," she answered. "I followed the clew yousuggested, and searched the boy's room. On the bureau I found thepawn ticket."
"You don't say so! What a muff Ben must have been to leave it aroundso carelessly! What did you do with it?"
"I waited till Mr. Lynx was conferring with Cousin Hamilton, and thenI carried it in and gave it to them."
"What did they say?" asked Conrad eagerly.
"They seemed thunderstruck, and Mr. Lynx very politely thanked me forthe help I had given them."
"Has Ben been bounced yet?"
"No; but doubtless he will be very soon. Cousin Hamilton doesn't wantto think him a thief and gambler, but there seems no way of escapingfrom such a mass of proof."
"I should say not. Do you think she's told Ben? Does he look down inthe mouth?" continued Conrad.
"I haven't seen him since."
When they met at the table Mrs. Hamilton's manner toward Ben wasdecidedly frigid, as Conrad and his mother saw, much to theirsatisfaction. Ben looked sober, but his appetite did not appear to beaffected.
"Your course is about run, young man!" thought Mrs. Hill.
"I should like to see you after supper, Conrad," said Mrs. Hamilton."Come into my sitting room."
"I wonder if she is going to give me Ben's place," thought Conrad,hardly knowing whether he wished it or not.
With a jaunty air and a self-satisfied smile, he followed Mrs.Hamilton into her "private office," as she sometimes called it.
"Shut the door, Conrad," she said.
He did so.
"I have heard news of the opera glass," she commenced.
"Mother gave me a hint of that," said Conrad.
"It was stolen and pawned at Simpson's on the Bowery."
"It's a great shame!" said Conrad, thinking that a safe comment tomake.
"Yes, it was a shame and a disgrace to the one who took it."
"I didn't think Ben would do such a thing," continued Conrad, growingbolder.
"Nor I," said Mrs. Hamilton.
"After all you have done for him, too. I never liked the boy, for mypart."
"So I suspected," said Mrs. Hamilton dryly. "However, I will tell youwhat I want of you. I am going down to Simpson's to-morrow to redeemthe glass, and want you to go with me."
"You want me to go with you!" ejaculated Conrad, turning pale.
"Yes; I don't care to go to that part of the City by myself, and Iwill take you to keep me company."
"But I must go to the office," faltered Conrad.
"I will send Ben to say that you can't go to-morrow."
"Why don't you take Ben to Simpson's, or the detective?" suggestedConrad, in great alarm, bethinking himself that it would hardly do totake Ben, since the attendant would certify that he was not the onewho pawned the glass.
"Because I prefer to take you. Have you any objection to go!"
"Oh, no, of course not!" answered Conrad, not daring to make anyfurther objection.
In the morning Mrs. Hill came to Mrs. Hamilton, and said:
"Poor Conrad has a terrible toothache! He is afraid he won't be ableto go with you to Simpson's. Will you kindly excuse him?"
Mrs. Hamilton expected some such excuse.
"I will take Ben, then," she said.
"Are you going to keep that boy--after what be has done?" asked thehousekeeper.
"It is inconvenient for me to part with him just yet."
"Then--I hope you will excuse the suggestion--I advise you to keepyour bureau drawers locked."
"I think it best myself," said Mrs. Hamilton. Is Conrad's toothachevery bad?"
"The poor fellow is in great pain."
When Ben was invited by Mrs. Hamilton to go to the pawnbroker's hemade no objection.
"It is only fair to tell you, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, that theperson who pawned the opera glass gave your name."
"Then," said Ben, "I should like to know who it is."
"I think I know," said his patroness; "but when we redeem the glass wewill ask for a description of him."
An hour later they entered the pawnbroker's shop. Mrs. Hamiltonpresented the ticket and made herself known.
"Will you tell me," she asked, "whether you have ever seen the younggentleman that accompanies me?"
"Not to my knowledge," answered the attendant, after attentivelyregarding Ben.
"Can you remember the appearance of the boy who pawned the operaglass?"
"He was taller than this boy, and pale. He was thinner also. Hishair was a light brown."
A light dawned upon Ben, and his glance met that of Mrs. Hamilton, sothat she read his suspicions.
"I think we both know who it was that took your name, Ben," she said;"but for the present I wish you to keep it secret."
"I will certainly do so, Mrs. Hamilton."
"I am placed in difficult circumstances, and have not made up my mindwhat to do."
"I hope you won't allow yourself to be prejudiced against me by anyfalse stories."
"No, I can promise you that. I have perfect confidence in you."
"Thank you for that, Mrs. Hamilton," said Ben gratefully.
"Yet I am about to take a course that will surprise you."
"What is that?"
"I am going to let you leave me for a time, and put Conrad in yourplace."
Ben looked bewildered, as well he might. There was nothing that wouldhave surprised him more.
"Then I am afraid you don't find me satisfactory," he said anxiously.
"Why not?"
"You discharge me from your service."
"No" answered Mrs. Hamilton, smiling; "I have other work for you todo. I mean to give you a confidential commission."
Ben's face brightened up immediately.
"You will find me faithful," he said, "and I hope I may repay yourconfidence."
"I think you will. I will explain matters to you before you reach thehouse, as I don't want Mrs. Hill or Conrad to know about the matter.Indeed, for reasons of my own, I shall let them think that Idischarged you."
Ben smiled; he was not averse to such a pl
an.
"And now for the business. I own a farm in the western part ofPennsylvania. I have for years let it for a nominal sum to a mannamed Jackson. Of late he has been very anxious to buy it, and hasoffered me a sum greater than I had supposed it to be worth. As Iknow him to be a close-fisted man, who has tried more than once to getme to reduce the small rent I charge him, this naturally excites mycuriosity. I think something has been discovered that enhances thevalue of the farm, and, if so, I want to know it. You are a boy, anda visit to the neighborhood will not excite surprise.
"I understand," said Ben. "When do you wish me to start?"
"This afternoon. I have prepared written instructions, and here is apocketbook containing a hundred and fifty dollars for expenses."
"Shall I need so much?"
"Probably not; but I wish you to be amply provided. You will removeall your things from my house, but you may store anything you don'tneed to carry."
When Conrad heard that Mrs. Hamilton had taken Ben with her, he wasalarmed lest it should be discovered that the boy pawning the operaglass was not Ben, but himself. When, upon Mrs. Hamilton's return, hewas summoned to her presence, he entered with trepidation.
"Is your toothache better, Conrad?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
"A little better, thank you."
"I am going to make a change in your position. Ben is to leave me,and you will take his place as my secretary."
Conrad's heart bounded with joy and surprise.
"How can I thank you, Cousin Hamilton!" he said, with a feeling ofgreat relief.
"By serving me well."
"All has turned out for the best, mother," said Conrad joyfully, as hesought his mother's presence. "Ben is bounced, and I am to take hisplace."
"Heaven be praised!" ejaculated Mrs. Hill.
"I hope you'll soon find a place," said Conrad mockingly, when Benleft the house, valise in hand.
"I think I shall," answered Ben calmly.
CHAPTER XXXBEN "GOES WEST"
Undisturbed by the thought that his departure was viewed with joy byConrad and his mother, Ben set out on his Western journey.
His destination was Centerville, in Western Pennsylvania. I may aswell say that this is not the real name of the place, which, forseveral reasons, I conceal.
Though Ben was not an experienced traveler, he found no difficulty inreaching his destination, having purchased a copy of "Appleton'sRailway Guide," which afforded him all the information he required.About fifty miles this side of Centerville he had for a seat companiona man of middle age, with a pleasant face, covered with a brown beard,who, after reading through a Philadelphia paper which he had purchasedof the train-boy, seemed inclined to have a social chat with Ben.
"May I ask your destination, my young friend?" he asked.
Ben felt that it was well for him to be cautious, though he waspleasantly impressed with the appearance of his companion.
"I think I shall stop over at Centerville," he said.
"Indeed! That is my destination."
"Do you live there?" asked Ben.
"No," said the other, laughing. "Do I look like it? I thought youwould read 'New York' in my face and manner."
"I am not an experienced observer," said Ben modestly.
"Centerville has a prosperous future before it," said the stranger.
"Has it? I don't know much about the place. I never was there."
"You know, of course, that it is in the oil region?"
"I didn't even know that."
"A year ago," resumed the stranger, "it was a humdrum farming town,and not a very prosperous one either. The land is not of goodquality, and the farmers found it hard work to get a poor living. Nowall is changed."
Ben's attention was aroused. He began to understand why Mr. Jacksonwished to buy the farm he rented from Mrs. Hamilton.
"This is all new to me," he said. "I suppose oil has been foundthere?"
"Yes; one old farm, which would have been dear at three thousanddollars, is now yielding hundreds of barrels daily, and would fetchfifty thousand dollars easily."
Ben began to be excited. If he could only sell Mrs. Hamilton's farmfor half that he felt that he would be doing an excellent thing.
"I suppose you are interested in some of the petroleum wells?" hesaid.
"Not yet, but I hope to be. In fact, I don't mind confessing that Irepresent a New York syndicate, and that my object in making thisjourney is to purchase, if I can, the Jackson farm."
"The Jackson farm!" repeated Ben, his breath almost taken away by hissurprise.
"Yes; do you know anything about it?" asked his companion.
"I have heard of a farmer in Centerville named Peter Jackson."
"That is the man."
"And his farm is one of the lucky ones, then?"
"It promises to be."
"I suppose, then, you will have to pay a large sum for it?" said Ben,trying to speak calmly.
"Jackson is very coy, and, I think, grasping. He wants fifty thousanddollars."
"Of course you won't pay so much?"
"I should hardly feel authorized to do so. I may go as high as fortythousand dollars."
Ben was dazzled. If he could effect a sale at this price he would bedoing a splendid stroke of business, and would effectually defeat theplans of Mr. Jackson, who, it appeared, had pretended that he was theowner of the farm, hoping to obtain it from Mrs. Hamilton at avaluation which would have been suitable before the discovery of oil,but now would be ludicrously disproportionate to its real value.
"Shall or shall I not, tell this gentleman the truth?" he reflected.
He thought over the matter and decided to do so. The discovery mustbe made sooner or later, and there would be no advantage in delay.
"I don't think Jackson will sell," he said.
"Why not?" asked the stranger, in surprise. "Do you know him?"
"I never saw him in my life."
"Then how can you form any opinion on the subject?"
Ben smiled.
"The answer is easy enough," he said. "Mr. Jackson can't sell what hedoesn't own."
"Do you mean to say that he is not the owner of the farm which heproposes to sell us?"
"That is just what I mean. He is no more the owner than you or I."
"You speak confidently, young man. Perhaps you can tell me who is theowner?"
"I can. The owner is Mrs. Hamilton, of New York."
"Indeed! That is a genuine surprise. Can you give me her address? Ishould like to communicate with her."
"I will cheerfully give you her address, but it won't be necessary,for I represent her."
"You!" exclaimed the stranger incredulously.
"Yes; and I am going out to Centerville now as her agent. ThisJackson, who is her tenant, has been urging her to sell him the farmfor some time. He has offered a sum larger than the farm would beworth but for the discovery of petroleum, but has taken good care notto speak of this."
"How much does he offer?"
"Five thousand dollars."
"The rascal!" He offers five thousand, and expects us to pay him fiftythousand dollars for his bargain. What an unmitigated swindle itwould have been if he had carried out his scheme!"
"Perhaps you would like to see his last letter?" said Ben.
"I should. I want to see what the old rascal has to say for himself."
Ben took from his pocket the letter in question, and put it into thehands of his new acquaintance.
It was dated at Centerville, October 21. It was written in a crampedhand, showing that the farmer was not accustomed to letter-writing.
It ran thus:
"Respected Madam:
"As I have already wrote you, I would like to buy the farm, and will give you more than anybody else, because I am used to living on it, and it seems like home. I am willing to pay five thousand dollars, though I know it is only worth four, but it is worth more to me than to others. I offer you more because I kn
ow you are rich, and will not sell unless you get a good bargain. Please answer right away.
"Yours respectfully, Peter Jackson.
"P.S.--My offer will hold good for only two weeks."
"He seems to be very much in earnest," said Ben.
"He has reason to be so, as he hopes to make forty-five thousanddollars on his investment."
"He will be bitterly disappointed," said Ben.
"I don't care anything about Jackson," said the stranger. "I wouldjust as soon negotiate with you. Are you authorized to sell thefarm?"
"No," answered Ben; "but Mrs. Hamilton will probably be guided by myadvice in the mater."
"That amounts to the same thing. I offer you forty thousand dollarsfor it."
"I think favorably of your proposal, Mr. ----"
"My name is Taylor."
"Mr. Taylor; but I prefer to delay answering till I am on the groundand can judge better of the matter."
"You are right. I was surprised at first that Mrs. Hamilton shouldhave selected so young an agent. I begin to think her choice was ajudicious one."
CHAPTER XXXIMR. JACKSON RECEIVES A CALL
"Suppose we join forces, Ben," said Mr. Taylor familiarly.
"How do you mean?"
"We will join forces against this man Jackson. He wants to swindleboth of us--that is, those whom we represent.