CHAPTER XIII.
GRAHAM'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
Milton Graham, on reaching a place where he could do so unobserved, drewfrom his pocket the roll of bills, with a smile of exultation. But thesmile faded, and was succeeded by a look of dismay, when he recognizedthe worthlessness of his booty. An oath rose to his lips, and he thrustthe roll back into his pocket, as he noticed the approach of apassenger.
"It's a cursed imposition!" he muttered to himself, and he really feltthat he had been wronged by Mr. Waterbury.
"What are you doing out here, Graham?" asked Vincent, for it was hisconfederate who approached.
"Nothing in particular. Why?" responded Graham.
"What makes you look so glum?"
"Do I look glum?"
"You look as if you had but one friend in the world, and were about tolose him."
"That may be true enough," muttered Graham.
"Come, man, don't look so downcast."
"I'm out of luck, and out of cash, Vincent."
"We're both in the same boat, as far as that goes; but that isn't goingto last. How about our stout friend? Can't we make him contribute to ournecessities?"
"I don't believe he's got any money."
"No? Why, I heard him tell the boy he had six hundred dollars."
"Where does he keep it?"
"In his pocketbook probably."
"Will you oblige me by stating how we are going to get hold of it?"
"I look to you for that."
"He's too careful. I leave you to try your hand."
"Let me go in to breakfast. There's nothing like a full stomach tosuggest ideas."
So the two went to the breakfast table, and Graham, in spite of hisdisappointment, managed to eat a hearty meal.
An hour later Mr. Waterbury and Tom were standing on deck, conversingwith Jennie Watson and her mother, when Graham and Vincent approachedarm in arm. As soon as they were within hearing distance Mr. Waterburypurposely remarked, "By the way, Mrs. Watson, I met with a loss lastnight."
"Indeed!" returned the lady.
Graham was about to push on, not wishing Vincent to hear the disclosure,as it might awaken his suspicions; but the latter's curiosity wasaroused.
"Wait, Graham," he said; and Graham, against his will, was compelled toslacken his pace.
"A man entered my stateroom during the night, and stole a wallet from mycoat pocket."
Graham changed color a little, and Vincent seemed amazed.
"Did you hear that, Graham?" he asked.
"Yes."
"What does it mean?"
"How can I tell?"
"I hope you did not lose much," said Mrs. Watson, in a tone of sympathy.
"I lost the wallet," said Mr. Waterbury, laughing.
"Was there nothing in it?"
"It was full of bills."
Vincent looked at Graham with new-born suspicion, but Graham lookedindifferent.
"It appears to me that you take the loss cheerfully," said Mrs. Watson,puzzled.
"I have reason to. The fact is, I was prepared for the visit, and hadfilled the wallet with bogus bills. I fancy they won't do my visitormuch good."
The lady smiled.
"You were fortunate, Mr. Waterbury," said she. "Do you suspect any oneof the theft?"
"I know pretty well who robbed me," returned Mr. Waterbury, and hesuffered his glance to rest on Graham, who seemed in a hurry to getaway.
"Come along, Vincent," he said sharply.
Vincent obeyed. Light dawned upon him, and he determined to verify hissuspicions.
"Graham," said he, in a low voice, "you did this."
"Did what?"
"You got that wallet."
Graham concluded that he might as well make a clean breast of it, sinceit had become a matter of necessity.
"Well," said he, "suppose I did?"
"You were not going to let me know of it," said Vincent suspiciously.
"That is true. I was ashamed of having been imposed upon."
"When did you find out that the money was bogus?"
"Immediately."
"If it had been good, would you have shared with me honorably?"
"Of course. What do you take me for?"
Vincent was silent. He did not believe his companion. He suspected thatthe latter had intended to steal a march on him.
"You might have told me of it," he continued, in a tone ofdissatisfaction.
"There was no need to say anything, as there was nothing to divide."
"Have you got the wallet with you now?"
"No; I threw it overboard."
"And the bills?"
"You may have them all, if you like."
"Come into the stateroom, where we can be unobserved, and show them tome."
Graham complied with his suggestion.
"It would have been a good haul if they had been genuine," said Vincent,as he unfolded the roll.
"Yes, but they are not; worse luck!"
"I didn't give the old fellow credit for being so sharp."
"Nor I. There's more in him than I supposed there was."
"Well, what is to be done?"
"Nothing. The old man is on his guard, and, besides, he suspects me. Hewas probably awake when I entered the stateroom. He and the boy haveprobably laughed over it together. I hate that boy."
"Why?"
"Because he is a green country boy, and yet he has succeeded inthwarting me. I am ashamed whenever I think of it."
"Would you like to play a trick on him in turn?"
"Yes."
"Then give me this roll of bills."
"What do you want to do with them?"
"Put them in his pocket."
"Can you do it unobserved?"
"Yes. The fact is, Graham, I served an apprenticeship as a pickpocket,and flatter myself I still have some dexterity in that line."
"Very well, it will be some satisfaction, and if the old man didn't seeme enter the stateroom, he may be brought to believe that the boy robbedhim. If that could be, I should feel partly compensated for mydisappointment. I should like to get that boy into trouble."
"Consider it done, so far as I am concerned. Now let us separate, so asto avoid suspicion."
Vincent began to pace the deck in a leisurely manner, in each casepassing near Tom, who was still engaged in conversation with JennieWatson and her mother. For a time he was unable to effect his purpose,as our hero was sitting down. But after a while Tom rose, and stood withhis back to Vincent. He wore a sack coat, with side pockets. This wasfavorable to Vincent, who, as he passed, adroitly slipped the bills intoone of them, without attracting the attention of our hero.
Presently Tom thrust his hand into his pocket mechanically. Theyencountered the bills. In surprise he drew them out, and looked at themin amazement.
"What's that, Tom?" asked Jennie, with great curiosity.
"It looks like money," answered Tom, not yet understanding what hadhappened.
"You seem to be rich."
"By gracious!--it's Mr. Waterbury's money," exclaimed Tom. Then hecolored, as it flashed upon him that its presence in his pocket mightarouse suspicion. "I don't see how it got there," he continued, in abewildered way.
Just then Mr. Waterbury came up, and was made acquainted with thediscovery.
"I don't know what you'll think, Mr. Waterbury," said Tom, coloring; "Ihaven't the slightest idea how the money came in my pocket."
"I have," said Mr. Waterbury quietly.
Tom looked at him, to discover whether he was under suspicion.
"The companion of your friend Graham slipped it into your pocket. He wasvery quick and adroit, but I detected him. He wanted to throw suspicionupon you."
"It is lucky you saw him, sir."
"Why?"
"You might have suspected me."
"My dear boy, don't trouble yourself about that. No circumstantialevidence will shake my confidence in your integrity."
"Thank you, sir," said Tom grateful
ly.
"What a wicked man to play a trick on you, Tom!" exclaimed Jennieindignantly.
"I see there is somebody else who has confidence in you, Tom," said Mr.Waterbury, smiling; "I'd like to give him a piece of my mind."
"I am ready to forgive him," said Mr. Waterbury, "as he has restored themoney. It will do as a bait for the next thief."