Edward Stratemeyer

“ Allen sneered at the words, and Hardwick's lip curled.
The youth noticed neither of them. The tears stood in his eyes, as he replied:
"Thank you for saying that, Mr. Sumner," he returned, in a low voice. "I may be nothing but a poor-house boy, but I am honest, and will help you get back your bonds, and prove my innocence to the world."
Again Mr. Allen's sneer was heard, and Hardwick's lip curled, even more than before. Neither Mr. Sumner nor Hal paid any attention to either of them. The broker stepped to the telephone.
"Who are you going to summon?" asked Mr. Allen. ”

“ He caught Hal by the coat collar. The youth struggled, and then struck out with all force.
The blow landed on Hardwick's chin, and knocked his head back with such force that for the instant he let slip his grasp and Hal was free.
But before the plucky youth could open the door the man had him fast again, and was punching him with all his might.
"I'll teach you a lesson!" he cried. "Take that! and that! You are smart, but you are not smart enough for me!" ”

“ Having received his money, he calmly lit a cigarette, puffed away upon it for a minute, and then went out slamming the door as hard as possible after him.
Hal was already at work, clearing away the snow at a lively rate. Ferris approached him.
"Say, are you the fellow that did me out of my job?" he asked, savagely.
"I haven't done any one out of a job," returned Hal. "Do you work here?"
"I did, but I don't any more."
"Why not?"
"Because old Sumner expects the earth from me and he can't get it; see?" Ferris winked one eye. "I'm too smart to allow myself to be stepped onto, I am. ”

“ Hal crossed Park Row, and took up a stand by the railing to City Hall Park. A gang of men were clearing off the snow, and the street-cars and wagons were running in all directions, making the scene a lively one.
Presently an elevated train rolled in at the station, and in a moment a stream of people came down the stairs on both sides of the street.
Hal saw Ferris straighten up, and keep his eyes on the crowd.
"That settles it; he is looking for somebody," was Hal's mental conclusion. "Now, I'll wait and see if it isn't Hardwick." ”

“ Approaching the outer door he locked it.
"Now I cannot be surprised in that direction," he thought. "And if Hardwick or Ferris try to leave I can hide in the closet."
Having made these preparations against being discovered, Hal approached the curtain to listen to whatever might be said.
"You say you wish you could fix Carson?" he heard Hardwick say.
"I do," returned Ferris. "I hate him, and I would do almost anything to get square."
"Then I'll tell you of a little plan that you can work, Dick. I don't like the fellow myself, and it will delight me to see you get the best of him." ”

“ Hal walked behind the railing, and Parsons showed him where to place his coat and hat.
"Here is a copy of a letter I wish duplicated ten times. You can go to work at this second desk. At one o'clock you can take half an hour for lunch."
"Yes, sir."
Hal gathered his material about him, and went to work as if his very life depended on it.
"He seems to be an awfully shrewd man," he thought, meaning Parsons. "I wonder what he would say if he knew I had taken the job merely as a blind?" ”

“ Hal was soon on the snow-covered pavement.
He looked up and down, but Allen was nowhere in sight.
"It is no use to try to follow him any farther to-night," thought the youth. "I may as well get home and get some sleep—but, no, I can't do that. I must find a new boarding house, and go under a different name for the present. One thing is sure. Mr. Allen can't gamble in that fashion with what he makes honestly. He and Hardwick are a couple of deep rogues, and that's all there is to it, and Dick Ferris and that Macklin are their tools." ”

“ Macklin at once went off, and Hal heard Hardwick lock the door after him as agreed, but the key was left in the lock.
By the conversation Hal knew it must be later than he had supposed. Under cover of the darkness Macklin was going to bring a coach to the place. For what purpose?
In spite of his naturally brave spirit, Hal shivered. He was in the power of a desperate set of men, and he had learned enough of their secrets to convict every one of them. They would not hesitate to do anything to escape their just deserts. ”

“ From the closet, which was damp and cold, he could hear the confused murmur of voices, but could not make out a word of what was being said. The murmur continued fully half an hour, and then all became as silent as the grave.
Hal was all but suffocated by the rude gag which had been forced into his mouth. All was dark, and his position was a painful one, not only mentally, but bodily as well.
What the rogues intended to do with him he did not know. If only he could free himself and get away! ”

“ Hardwick was a heavy-built man, but he was no match for the youth, who all his life had been used to hard labor, and whose muscles, consequently, were like steel. He struck Hal many times, but the youth squirmed and twisted, and suddenly hit him a crack between the eyes that made him see stars. ”

“ As soon as this was accomplished Hal lost no time in making his way to Horace Sumner's elegant mansion.
It was now quite late, and only a single light gleamed out from the mansion, and that from the library, where the old broker sat, busy with his accounts.
His face was furrowed with care, and just before Hal rang the bell he heaved a deep sigh.
"Unless the tin box containing the stolen bonds is recovered I will be a ruined man!" he groaned. "It is impossible to cover the loss. Allen has ruined me, and even though he tries to use those slips, and I have him arrested, it will do no good." ”

“ Caleb Allen jumped up as if shot.
"So Tommy Macklin has been blabbing, had he?" he screamed. "But it won't do you any good, Horace Sumner. The boy is lost to you—you will never hear of him again."
"So?" The old broker pulled the golden locket from his pocket. "Look at this. It was around his neck when he was stolen, and it has been the connecting link to prove his identity. He is found, and my little boy Howard is—Hal Carson, the youth who helped to bring you to justice." ”

“ Sumner was well pleased with all the youth did.
"A good, manly fellow," he muttered to himself. "He could never have had anything to do with the robbery of the bonds. I would rather suspect my own son were he still alive. But poor Howard is gone."
Sudden tears sprang into the broker's eyes, which he as suddenly brushed away, afraid that some customer might drop in and see his weakness.
Hal did not leave the office until after four o'clock, there being a number of things to be written up before he could go. Hardwick had gone an hour before, and Hal did not know in what direction. ”

“ His hands were now loose, but he kept them behind him.
"You'll feel a sight worse before we are done with you," returned Hardwick, grimly.
"What do you intend to do with me?"
"You'll see soon enough," said the ex-book-keeper.
He turned to the others, and as he did so Hal bent down and freed his feet.
"By Jove! he's loose!" cried Parsons, glancing around.
"Yes, and I intend to stay so," cried Hal, stepping into the room. "Hardwick, I want that tin box."
"Ho! ho! hear him talk!" exclaimed Hardwick. "Jump on him, boys!"
"Stand back, every one of you!" cried Hal. "I am not alone here. ”

“ Once down in the street again, Hal looked up and down, but could see nothing of Ferris.
But when the youth reached Grand Street he beheld Ferris making for downtown as rapidly as his long legs would carry him.
"I suppose he is going to stand outside and meet Mr. Allen when he comes out," thought Hal. "I will follow him, and see what turns up next."
Dick Ferris walked up Grand Street until he came to Broadway. Here he stood upon the corner, and presently waved his hand toward a passing horse-car.
Immediately a man descended from the car, and came toward the tall youth. It was Hardwick. ”

“ Allen comes of very fine connections——" began the broker.
"That may be, but didn't you just say he didn't do just right?"
"So I did, and it is true. But that might be put down to a mere matter of sharp business practice, legally right if not morally so. But this other——"
And the elderly broker shook his head.
"If a man will cheat legally, I don't think he will stop at cheating any other way," replied Hal. "He may for a while, but his conscience soon gets blunted, and that's the end of it. You say the police think somebody else is guilty?" ”

“ Sumner," cried Hal. "If he stole the tin box, then I am mostly responsible, although I supposed the man was some business man around here, and was to be trusted."
"I don't understand one thing," said the elderly broker. "I am almost sure I locked the safe when I went away yesterday afternoon."
"So you did," said Mr. Allen. "I saw you do it."
"Then, how could the stranger have opened it?"
"Didn't Carson know the combination?" asked Hardwick, who seemed determined to convict Hal.
"I think not."
"Indeed I did not!" cried the youth. "I never worked a safe combination in my life." ”

“ When he appeared at the station-house he seemed almost like a crazy man, so eager was he to interview Allen. A private meeting between the two was speedily arranged.
"Allen, I have come on an important mission," began Horace Sumner.
"Have you? I thought you had your bonds," returned the swindler, as cooly as he could.
"I am not referring to the bonds. This matter is far more important."
"Indeed!"
"When you and the others were at the old Flack mansion Samuels mentioned a subject that lies close to my heart."
"Samuels didn't know what he was saying," growled Allen, turning pale. ”

“ The new book-keeper is a very rapid man, and we shall not attempt to do anything more until Mr. Allen and I dissolve partnership."
"Then I will go. Good-day, Miss Sumner," and with a deep bow Hal withdrew.
"What a nice young man!" murmured Laura, as the outer door closed.
"He is little more than a boy, pet," said her father. "That mustache he wears is a false one."
"Why, papa?"
"He is playing a part. He is a very smart young man." ”

“ Hal came to himself with a shiver. Where was he, and what had happened?
For a moment he could not collect his scattered senses. Then the cold water in the vat reached his mouth and nose, and he gave a gulp.
He put out his hands. They were tight in the sack. With a struggle he stood up. The water in the vat reached his waist, and it was icy cold.
Presently the string of the sack gave way, and he pulled the article off of him. Then he realized what had happened up in the tenement, and felt the blood trickling over his forehead.
"They have put me here thinking I was dead," he thought. ”