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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tin Box, by Horatio Alger
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Tin Box
+       and What it Contained
+
+Author: Horatio Alger
+
+Release Date: November 10, 2008 [EBook #27222]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TIN BOX ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Gary Sandino, from scans generously provided
+by the Internet Archive.
+
+
+
+
+
+                      THE TIN BOX
+
+                 and What it Contained
+
+
+
+                 By HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+
+       Author of "The Errand Boy," "Joe's Luck,"
+            "Mark Manning's Mission," "Mark
+              Mason's Victory," etc., etc.
+
+
+
+            A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+
+                        NEW YORK
+
+
+                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER
+
+       I A COLLISION                                 1
+      II SIGNS OF A TEMPEST                          8
+     III MRS. ROSS MAKES TWO UNSATISFACTORY VISITS  15
+      IV HARRY LOSES HIS PLACE, AFTER ALL           23
+       V LOOKING FOR WORK                           30
+      VI UNCLE OBED ARRIVES FROM ILLINOIS           38
+     VII AN UNWELCOME GUEST                         46
+    VIII UNCLE OBED MAKES A PROPOSAL                53
+      IX NOTICE TO QUIT                             57
+       X PHILIP MEETS HIS MATCH                     67
+      XI THE TWO CONSPIRATORS                       73
+     XII AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION                   77
+    XIII THREE YOUNG SPORTSMEN                      81
+     XIV WHAT HAPPENED TO HARRY IN THE WOOD         87
+      XV PHILIP'S BAD ADVISOR                       93
+     XVI BOUND HAND AND FOOT                       101
+    XVII WHAT HARRY SAW IN THE WOOD                108
+   XVIII HARRY'S COMMISSION                        115
+     XIX A SECOND VISIT TO THE WOOD                122
+      XX ON THE WAY TO NEW YORK                    130
+     XXI A REWARD OFFERED                          138
+    XXII BROUGHT TO BAY                            145
+   XXIII FINDING THE BOX                           153
+    XXIV PHILIP IN A TIGHT PLACE                   159
+     XXV PHILIP BECOMES A PRISONER                 166
+    XXVI PHILIP IS FORCED TO APOLOGIZE             174
+   XXVII THE ARREST                                181
+  XXVIII MR. CHASE IS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE           188
+    XXIX HARRY BECOMES A "BONDHOLDER"              196
+     XXX CONGREVE'S SCHEME                         203
+    XXXI THE TEMPTER                               210
+   XXXII PHILIP DOES NOT FEEL HAPPY                214
+  XXXIII STEALING THE BONDS                        217
+   XXXIV PHILIP GETS RID OF HIS PLUNDER            224
+    XXXV THROWING SUSPICION ON HARRY               231
+   XXXVI HARRY IS CHARGED WITH THEFT               237
+  XXXVII SEARCHING THE COTTAGE                     244
+ XXXVIII PHILIP'S SURPRISE                         251
+   XXXIX HOW CONGREVE SUCCEEDED                    257
+      XL PREPARING TO PROSECUTE                    265
+     XLI HARRY MANAGES HIS OWN CASE                269
+    XLII CONCLUSION                                277
+
+
+
+
+                      THE TIN BOX
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER I
+
+                      A COLLISION
+
+"Have you finished breakfast already, Harry?" asked Mrs. Gilbert, as
+Harry rose hurriedly from the table and reached for his hat, which hung
+on a nail especially appropriated to it.
+
+"Yes, mother. I don't want to be late for the store. Saturday is always
+a busy day."
+
+"It is a long day for you, Harry. You have to stay till nine o'clock in
+the evening."
+
+"I am always glad to have Saturday come, for then I can get my money,"
+replied Harry, laughing. "Well, good-by, mother--I'm off."
+
+"What should I do without him?" said Mrs. Gilbert to herself, as Harry
+dashed out of the yard on the way to Mead's grocery store, where he had
+been employed for six months.
+
+That would have been a difficult question to answer. Mrs. Gilbert was
+the widow of a sea captain, who had sailed from the port of Boston three
+years before, and never since been heard of.
+
+It was supposed that the vessel was lost with all hands, but how the
+disaster occurred, or when, was a mystery that seemed never likely to be
+solved.
+
+Captain Gilbert had left no property except the small cottage, which was
+mortgaged for half its value, and a small sum of money in the savings
+bank, which, by this time, was all expended for the necessaries of
+life.
+
+Fortunately for the widow, about the time this sum gave out Harry
+obtained a situation at Mead's grocery store, with a salary of four
+dollars a week. This he regularly paid to his mother, and, with the
+little she herself was able to earn, they lived comfortably. It was hard
+work for Harry, but he enjoyed it, for he was an active boy, and it was
+a source of great satisfaction to him that he was able to help his
+mother so materially.
+
+He was now fifteen years old, about the average height for a boy of that
+age, with a strong frame and a bright, cheerful manner that made him a
+general favorite.
+
+The part of his duty which he liked best was to drive the store wagon
+for the delivery of goods to customers. Most boys of his age like to
+drive a horse, and Harry was no exception to the rule.
+
+When he reached the store Mr. Mead, his employer, said:
+
+"Harness up the horse as soon as you can, Harry. There are some goods to
+be carried out."
+
+"All right, sir," answered Harry, cheerfully, and made his way to the
+stable, which stood in the rear of the store. It was but a few minutes
+before he was loaded up and was on his way.
+
+He had called at several places and left the greater part of the goods,
+when he found himself in a narrow road, scarcely wider than a lane. Why
+it had been made so narrow was unaccountable, for there was certainly
+land enough to be had, and that of little value, which could have been
+used. It was probably owing to a want of foresight on the part of the
+road commissioners.
+
+Just at the narrowest part of the road Harry saw approaching him an open
+buggy of rather a pretentious character, driven by a schoolmate, Philip
+Ross, the son of Colonel Ross, a wealthy resident of the village.
+
+I have said that Philip was, or rather had been, a schoolmate of Harry.
+I cannot call him a friend. Philip was of a haughty, arrogant temper.
+The horse and buggy he drove were his own--that is, they had been given
+him by his father on his last birthday--and he was proud of them, not
+without some reason, for the buggy was a handsome one, and the horse was
+spirited and of fine appearance.
+
+As soon as Harry saw Philip approaching, he proceeded to turn his horse
+to one side of the road.
+
+Philip, however, made no such move, but kept in the middle.
+
+"Isn't he going to turn out?" thought Harry. "How does he expect to get
+by?"
+
+"Why don't you turn out, Philip?" he called out.
+
+"Turn out yourself!" retorted Philip, haughtily.
+
+"That's what I'm doing," said Harry, rather provoked.
+
+"Then turn out more!" said the young gentleman, arrogantly.
+
+"I have turned out my share," said Harry, stopping his horse. "Do you
+expect to keep right on in the middle of the road?"
+
+"I shall if I choose," said Philip, unpleasantly; but he, too, reined up
+his horse, so that the two teams stood facing each other.
+
+Harry shrugged his shoulders, and asked, temperately:
+
+"Then how do you expect to get by?"
+
+"I want you to turn out as far as you can," he said authoritatively.
+
+Harry was provoked, and not without reason.
+
+"I have turned out my share, and shan't turn out another inch," he said,
+firmly. "You must be a fool to expect it."
+
+"Do you mean to call me a fool?" demanded Philip, his eyes flashing.
+
+"You certainly act like one."
+
+"You'd better take care how you talk, you beggar!" exclaimed Philip,
+furiously.
+
+"I'm no more a beggar than you are, Philip Ross!"
+
+"Well, you are nothing but a working boy, at any rate."
+
+"What if I am?" replied Harry. "I've got just as much right on this road
+as you."
+
+"I'm a gentleman," asserted Philip, angrily.
+
+"Well, you don't act like one; you'd better turn out pretty quick, for I
+am in a hurry and can't wait."
+
+"Then turn out more."
+
+"I shan't do it," said Harry, with spirit; "and no one but you would be
+unreasonable enough to ask me to do it."
+
+"Then you'll have to wait," said Philip, settling himself back
+provokingly in his seat, and eyeing Harry with a look of disdain.
+
+"Come, don't be obstinate, Philip," urged Harry, impatiently. "I only
+ask you to do your share of turning. We have equal rights here, even if
+you were three times the gentleman you pretend to be."
+
+"You are insolent, Harry Gilbert. I don't take orders from such as
+you."
+
+"Then you won't turn out?" asked Harry, gathering up his reins.
+
+"Suppose I don't?" retorted Philip, in a provoking tone.
+
+"Then I shall drive on," said Harry, resolutely.
+
+"You wouldn't dare to!"
+
+"Wouldn't I? You'll see. I will count ten, and if at the end of that
+time you don't turn out, I will drive on, and make you take the
+consequences."
+
+Philip glanced at him doubtfully. Would he really do what he said?
+
+"Pooh! I don't believe it!" he decided. "Anyway, I'm not going to give
+way to a working boy. I won't do it."
+
+I am not going to decide the question whether Harry did right or not. I
+can only say that he claimed no more than his rights, and was not
+without excuse for the course he adopted.
+
+"One--two--three!" counted Harry, and so on until he had counted ten.
+
+Then, gathering up his reins, he said: "I ask you, Philip, for the last
+time, whether you will turn out?"
+
+"I won't till I get ready."
+
+"Go 'long, Dobbin!" was Harry's sole reply. And his horse was put in
+motion.
+
+The natural result followed. The grocery wagon was strongly made, and
+fitted for rough usage. The buggy was of light structure, built for
+speed, and was no match for it. The two carriages locked wheels. That of
+the wagon was unharmed, but the wheel of the buggy came off.
+
+The horse darted forward. Philip was thrown out at the side, aiming an
+ineffectual blow with his whip at Harry, as he found himself going, and
+landed in a half stunned condition on the grass at the side.
+
+Harry kept on until his wagon was clear of the wreck of the buggy, and
+then halting it, jumped oft to find the extent of Philip's injuries.
+
+The latter's horse, which had by a violent jerk freed himself from the
+shafts, was galloping up the road.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER II
+
+                  SIGNS OF A TEMPEST
+
+"Are you hurt, Philip?" asked Harry, anxiously, as he bent over the
+prostrate form of his antagonist.
+
+As he opened his eyes and saw the face of Harry bending over him, all
+came back to him, and his animosity revived.
+
+"Get away from me!" he exclaimed furiously, as he staggered to his
+feet.
+
+"I certainly will, if you don't need help," said Harry, glad that Philip
+had suffered no harm.
+
+"Where is my horse?" demanded Philip.
+
+"He has run away."
+
+"And it's all your fault!" exclaimed Philip, angrily. "My buggy's
+broken, too, and all because you ran into me, you beggar!"
+
+"I wouldn't allow you to call me names if you hadn't been punished
+already for your unreasonable conduct," said Harry, calmly. "Whatever
+has happened you brought upon yourself."
+
+"Catch my horse!" ordered Philip, with the air of a master addressing a
+servant.
+
+"I've got something else to do," said Harry, coolly, and he sprang into
+the store wagon.
+
+"Are you going to drive off and leave me here?" demanded Philip,
+enraged.
+
+"I must, for my time isn't my own. It belongs to Mr. Mead. I would help
+you otherwise--though you are to blame for what has happened."
+
+"You will suffer for this!" exclaimed the rich man's son, gazing at his
+broken buggy in helpless anger. "You'll have to pay for all the damage
+you have done!"
+
+"You can go to law about it, if you want to," said Harry, as he gathered
+the reins into his hands, and he drove off. "I've a good defense."
+
+To Philip's disgust, Harry drove off, leaving him alone with his
+disabled carriage. It was a good time to consider whether he had acted
+wisely in demanding more than the law or custom allowed him, but Philip
+was too angry for cool consideration.
+
+He could not persuade himself that a boy like Harry, the son of a poor
+widow, who had to work for his own living, had equal rights with
+himself.
+
+In the end he had to go home and bring back his father's hired man to
+take charge of the wreck. He learned that the frightened horse had
+already found his way to the stable, terrifying the family with fears
+that Philip had been seriously hurt on the way.
+
+Philip gave a garbled account of the affair to his father and mother,
+and excited the indignation of both, but especially his mother.
+
+"I never heard of such an outrage--never!" exclaimed Mrs. Ross,
+emphatically. "To think that boy should deliberately run into you and
+endanger your life--my poor Philip!"
+
+"That's just what he did, mother," said Philip, enjoying the indignation
+he had aroused.
+
+Colonel Ross was not quite so thoroughly convinced that his son was
+right.
+
+"Did you give Harry half the road?" he inquired.
+
+"I gave him room enough to get by," answered Philip, evasively.
+
+"The law requires that you should give him half the road."
+
+"I hope, Mr. Ross, you don't justify that horrid boy in running into
+Philip?" said Mrs. Ross, sharply.
+
+"No, my dear; I consider that he acted very badly. But, in Order to make
+him amenable to the law for the damage Philip's team suffered, it must
+appear that Philip gave him half the road."
+
+"Then the law ought to be altered," said Mrs. Ross, with more anger than
+reason. "I've no doubt that Philip gave him all the room he needed."
+
+"When you were thrown out, did the heartless boy ride on and leave you
+to your fate?" asked the mother.
+
+"No; he got out and asked me if I was hurt," Philip admitted,
+reluctantly.
+
+"Much he cared!" said Mrs. Ross, contemptuously.
+
+"I suppose he was afraid he would be put in prison if I was killed,"
+said Philip.
+
+"Yes, that was his motive, undoubtedly. He didn't offer to help you, I
+suppose?"
+
+"No; I asked him to, and he wouldn't," answered Philip, glad that he
+could blacken poor Harry's character.
+
+"The unfeeling young villain!" ejaculated Mrs. Ross. "He ought to be put
+in the State's prison!"
+
+"Do you think he can be?" asked Philip, eagerly.
+
+"Of course he can, if your father exerts himself as he ought."
+
+"Nonsense, Lucinda!" said Colonel Ross, who was not a fool. "It was a
+boyish misunderstanding."
+
+"You may call it that," retorted Mrs. Ross, raising her voice. "I call
+it a high-handed outrage. The boy ought to be arrested. Are you going to
+do anything about it, Philander Ross?"
+
+Mrs. Ross generally addressed her husband by his Christian name when she
+was angry with him.
+
+"I will tell you what I will do, Lucinda. I will see Mead, and tell him
+that a boy who acts in that way is not fit to drive for him."
+
+"That's right, father. Make him discharge Harry. Then he'll have to go
+to the poorhouse, or beg."
+
+"And a very suitable punishment for him," said Mrs. Ross, approvingly.
+
+"I don't quite like to take the boy's means of living away from him,"
+said Colonel Ross, who was by no means as unfeeling as his wife and son.
+"That would make his mother suffer, and she has been guilty of no
+crime."
+
+"She will uphold him in his iniquity, you may rest assured, Mr. Ross,"
+said his wife, nodding emphatically. "If she had brought up the boy to
+be respectful to his superiors this would not have happened."
+
+"He won't be able to pay damages if he loses his place," said Colonel
+Ross.
+
+"I don't care. I want him discharged from his situation."
+
+"Well, Lucinda," said her husband, shrugging his shoulders, "you had
+better undertake the management of the affair. I am very busy, and can't
+spare the necessary time."
+
+"I will!" said Mrs. Ross, with alacrity. "I will call on the boy's
+mother, and also on Mr. Mead."
+
+"Don't be too extreme, Lucinda. Remember, it isn't a hanging matter."
+
+"I am not so sure but it ought to be. My poor child might have broken
+his neck. Oh, it makes my blood run cold when I think that he might be
+lying lifeless before me at this moment."
+
+"Don't say such things, mother," said Philip, nervously, unpleasantly
+affected by the picture his mother had drawn.
+
+"I can't help saying it, for it might have happened."
+
+"Where are you going to first, mother?" asked Philip.
+
+"I will go first and call on Widow Gilbert. I consider her responsible,
+for if she had brought up the boy better this would never have
+happened."
+
+"May I go with you?"
+
+"No; I would rather go alone."
+
+If Philip had only been scarred, or had a wound to show, his mother
+would have taken him with her, to make her reproof more effective, but,
+as he showed no marks of the encounter, she saw no advantage in his
+presence.
+
+"You just give it to her, mother," said Philip, in a tone of
+satisfaction.
+
+"I shall know what to say, my son."
+
+"Just frighten her, and make her think we are going to have Harry
+arrested."
+
+"I shall make her understand that the boy has done a very serious thing,
+and has made himself amenable to the law."
+
+"That's right, mother. Harry is too airy altogether. He seems to think
+that I am no better than he is--a common working boy like him!"
+
+Mrs. Ross sailed out of the room, and dressed herself with unusual care,
+not out of respect for Mrs. Gilbert, but rather with the purpose of
+impressing her with her grandeur.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER III
+
+       MRS. ROSS MAKES TWO UNSATISFACTORY VISITS
+
+It was very seldom that Mrs. Ross condescended to visit her poorer
+neighbors, and it was, therefore, not without considerable surprise that
+Mrs. Gilbert called to the door about eleven o'clock, just as she had
+put on the potatoes to boil for dinner--recognized in the visitor on the
+doorstep Mrs. Colonel Ross.
+
+"Pray come in, Mrs. Ross. I am glad to see you," said the widow.
+
+"I will come in for five minutes," said Mrs. Ross, carefully gathering
+up her skirts, lest they should be soiled as she entered the humble
+cottage. She need not have been alarmed, for there was not a cleaner
+house in the village.
+
+Mrs. Gilbert brought forward the most comfortable chair in her little
+sitting-room, and the visitor seated herself.
+
+"I am come on an unpleasant errand, Mrs. Gilbert," she commenced,
+frigidly.
+
+"Unpleasant!" repeated the widow, with quick apprehension. "Has anything
+happened to my boy to Harry?"
+
+Improbable as it seemed that in such an event Mrs. Ross should be the
+messenger of ill tidings, it occurred to Mrs. Gilbert that she had come
+to inform her of an accident to Harry.
+
+The visitor's lips curled. What did it matter, she thought, whether
+anything happened to him or not?
+
+"Something has happened to my boy!" she said, with emphasis.
+
+"I am very sorry," said the widow, with quick sympathy. "I hope he is
+not hurt."
+
+"He might have had his neck broken," said Mrs. Ross; "and by your son,"
+she added, spitefully.
+
+"They haven't been fighting, have they?" asked Mrs. Gilbert, nervously.
+
+"No; but your son deliberately and maliciously, while driving Mr. Mead's
+store wagon, drove into my son's light buggy, damaged it seriously, and
+my poor Philip was thrown out. Your son drove off, leaving him
+insensible by the roadside."
+
+It will be perceived that Mrs. Ross had somewhat embellished the story,
+with the intention of producing a greater effect.
+
+"Was Philip much hurt?" asked the widow, anxiously.
+
+"He providentially escaped any serious injury, so far as we know. He may
+have suffered some internal injuries."
+
+"I am sorry to hear that there has been any difficulty," said the widow,
+regaining her composure when she learned that neither of the two boys
+were hurt; "but I cannot accept your account. Harry is quite incapable
+of deliberately and maliciously running into Philip."
+
+"I regret that you uphold your son in his wickedness," said Mrs. Ross,
+coldly; "but I am not surprised. I told my husband before I set out that
+you would probably do so."
+
+"Mrs. Ross," said the widow, in a dignified tone, "I have known my boy
+for fifteen years, and watched him carefully, and I tell you positively
+that he wouldn't do what you have charged upon him."
+
+"Do you question my statement?" demanded Mrs. Ross, haughtily.
+
+"Did you witness the encounter?"
+
+"No; but my son, who is the soul of truth, told me all the
+circumstances."
+
+"Your son was probably angry with Harry, and could not be depended upon
+to give an impartial statement."
+
+"Slander him as much as you please," said the visitor, angrily. "I have
+acquainted you with your son's outrageous conduct, and this is all I
+proposed. Of course we shall expect you or your son to pay for the
+damage done to the buggy, and he will be fortunate if we do not have him
+arrested for assault and battery."
+
+Mrs. Gilbert did not look as much terrified as Mrs. Ross expected.
+
+"I am very poor, as you know," she replied; "but if Harry is really to
+blame for what has happened, I will do all that I can to repair the
+injury."
+
+"I am glad to see that you are talking more sensibly."
+
+"Don't misunderstand me," said the widow. "I have not heard Harry's
+statement yet. From what I know of him, I presume that Philip was more
+in fault than he. Of course, in that case, I shall not feel called upon
+to pay anything."
+
+"Of course!" sneered Mrs. Ross; "your son will throw all the blame on my
+poor boy. Fortunately, we have laws; and it will be the law that must
+decide this matter. It isn't for you to decide whether you will pay or
+not."
+
+This was meant as a threat, but Mrs. Gilbert answered, calmly:
+
+"You won't need to invoke the law, if you have a just claim."
+
+Mrs. Ross rose, for there seemed no more to say. She was considerably
+disappointed with the result of her mission. She supposed, as a matter
+of course, that the widow would defend her son; but she had not supposed
+that she would receive so calmly her threats of having recourse to the
+law.
+
+Indeed, she had expected that the widow would beg and plead for mercy,
+and appear panic-stricken. As it was, she felt that she was retiring
+from the contest decidedly worsted. She would not leave without one
+parting shot.
+
+"I regret, Mrs. Gilbert," she said, seriously, "that you defend your son
+in this high-handed outrage. I had thought better of you. I knew you
+were poor, and I sympathized with you. Now I feel obliged to say that
+you will only have yourself to blame for the steps I am about to take."
+
+The widow bowed, but did not gratify Mrs. Ross by inquiring what those
+steps were.
+
+It was very provoking, certainly.
+
+"I shall call on Mr. Mead, and insist on his discharging your son."
+
+Knowing what a serious blow this would be, Mrs. Gilbert did look
+troubled for a moment, and her visitor sailed away, with a slight
+feeling of satisfaction, in the direction of the grocery store.
+
+Meanwhile Harry, on his return to the store, had reported the accident,
+and submitted to a close cross-examination on the part of the
+storekeeper.
+
+"Do you think I am to blame, Mr. Mead?" asked Harry.
+
+"No; I don't see how you could do otherwise than you did. Young Ross is
+a disagreeable young puppy; but his family trades with me, and I don't
+like to offend them. Still, I shall not blame you."
+
+It will be seen that Mr. Mead was a just man, though a politic one.
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Harry, relieved.
+
+"I am sorry this has occurred."
+
+"So am I, sir; but if I hadn't done as I did I should have been there
+now, for Philip was determined not to budge."
+
+"Well, we must smooth it over as well as we can. I presume that I shall
+have a call from Colonel Ross or his wife. I hope it will be the
+colonel, for he won't be so unreasonable as his lady."
+
+It so happened that the first person whom Mrs. Ross saw when she entered
+the grocery store was Harry.
+
+Her eyes flashed with resentment as they fell upon the persecutor of her
+poor boy, but she would not waste any words upon him.
+
+"Where is Mr. Mead?" she asked.
+
+"I will call him, madam," answered Harry, politely.
+
+Mr. Mead came forward, and Mrs. Ross rehearsed her story, in terms which
+the reader can imagine for himself.
+
+"I think you misapprehend the matter, Mrs. Ross," said the storekeeper,
+politely. "Your son maintained his position in the middle of the road
+and required Harry to do all the turning out. Of course you are aware
+that the law will not sustain any one in this."
+
+"Who told you that my son did not turn out?" asked Mrs. Ross, hastily.
+
+"Harry himself."
+
+"And do you credit his story?" demanded Mrs. Ross, with a sneer.
+
+"I have always found him to be a boy of truth."
+
+"I believe he has wilfully deceived you. I believe he ran into my boy
+with the intention of injuring him," said Mrs. Ross, violently.
+
+Harry was about to speak up, when a young man who was standing by saved
+him the trouble.
+
+"I was there, Mr. Mead, and heard the whole," he said, "though neither
+of the boys saw me. I was in the piece to the left, behind the hedge.
+Phil Ross wouldn't turn out a mite, and Harry had to do as he did. When
+Phil was thrown out Harry got down from his team and went to see if he
+was hurt."
+
+Mrs. Ross listened, pale with anger.
+
+"I don't believe a word of it!" she said angrily. "That man is in a
+conspiracy with the Gilbert boy against my poor darling. I demand that
+you discharge Harry Gilbert from your employment!"
+
+"I am sorry to disoblige you, Mrs. Ross, but it would be unjust," said
+Mr. Mead.
+
+"Then we shall buy our groceries elsewhere!" said Mrs. Ross, spitefully
+tossing her head.
+
+"I shall be sorry to lose your custom, but I see no good reason for
+discharging Harry."
+
+Angrily Mrs. Ross left the store, a second time mortified at her want of
+success.
+
+"I am sorry, Mr. Mead, that you are likely to lose trade on my account,"
+said Harry, with sincere regret.
+
+Mr. Mead smiled.
+
+"If Mrs. Ross leaves me she will have to go five miles for her
+groceries," he said quietly. "We shall have them back again before
+long."
+
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER IV
+
+            HARRY LOSES HIS PLACE, AFTER ALL
+
+Mrs. Ross carried out her threat, and transferred her trade to a grocery
+in the neighboring village, but not without considerable inconvenience.
+
+Her pride compelled her to the course, notwithstanding the extra trouble
+she incurred, and this, also, she laid up against Harry. Her husband was
+opposed to any change, not being so spiteful as his wife, but allowed
+her to have her way.
+
+Meanwhile Mr. Mead, though he regretted to lose a good customer, did not
+show any signs of financial weakness, and there seemed to be no prospect
+of his failing.
+
+Had he done so Mrs. Ross would have been overjoyed, for she was very
+angry at all who upheld "that low Gilbert boy," as she designated him.
+
+It is said that all things come to him who waits, and circumstances were
+shaping themselves in a very gratifying way to Mrs. Ross and her schemes
+of revenge.
+
+One day as Harry was driving the store wagon which bore the name of his
+employer he was hailed, about a mile from the store, by a boy about his
+own age, who carried in his hand a carpetbag, and appeared to be making
+a journey on foot.
+
+"Hello!" said the traveler.
+
+"Hello!" returned Harry.
+
+"Are you working for my uncle?" asked the stranger.
+
+"I can tell you better when I find out who your uncle is. If you are the
+nephew of General Grant, or the czar of Russia, I am not working for
+him."
+
+"I see you like to joke," said the stranger. "My uncle is Mr. Mead, the
+storekeeper."
+
+"That is the name of the man I work for."
+
+"Then I guess you had better give me a lift, for I am going to my
+uncle's."
+
+"All right! Glad to have your company."
+
+"What's your name?" asked the stranger.
+
+"Harry Gilbert. What's yours?"
+
+"Howard Randall."
+
+"Where do you live?"
+
+"I used to live at Upton, but my father is dead, and mother--she's Mrs.
+Mead's sister--told me I'd better come to see if Uncle Reuben wouldn't
+give me a place in his store."
+
+Instantly it flashed upon Harry that this new boy's arrival was likely
+to endanger his prospects. Mr. Mead, as he knew, had no occasion for the
+services of two boys, and he would naturally give his nephew the
+preference. He was not unjust enough to take a dislike to Howard in
+consequence. Indeed, the new boy had a pleasant face and manner, which
+led him to think he would like him for a friend.
+
+"If I do lose my place," thought Harry, "I will put my trust in God. I
+don't think He will see me or mother suffer, and I won't borrow trouble
+until it comes."
+
+"Were you ever employed in a store?" he asked, pleasantly.
+
+"No; that is, not regularly. I have been in our grocery store at home
+for a few days at a time, when the storekeeper's son was sick."
+
+"You look as if you were about my age."
+
+"I am sixteen. My birthday came last month."
+
+"Then you are a little older. I am not sixteen yet."
+
+"You look stronger than I. I should think you were older."
+
+Harry felt flattered. All boys like to be considered strong and large
+for their age, and our hero was no exception to the general rule in this
+respect.
+
+"I don't know about that," he answered. "I guess we are a pretty good
+match. How far off is Upton?"
+
+"Fifty miles."
+
+"You haven't walked all the way, have you?" inquired Harry, in
+surprise.
+
+"Every step," said Howard, proudly. "You see, money isn't very plenty
+with us, and I told mother I didn't mind walking. I got a lift for a few
+miles the first day, so I haven't walked quite all the way."
+
+"You and I seem to be situated pretty much the same way," said Harry. "I
+have no father, and we have hard work to get along."
+
+"You seem like a tiptop fellow. I think I shall like you."
+
+"The same to you," said Harry, smiling. "I am glad you are coming to
+Greenville to live."
+
+Harry was sincere enough in his words, so far as his impressions about
+the boy went, but when he reflected that through him he was likely to
+lose his place he felt a little troubled.
+
+"Look here!" said Howard, suddenly; "will you lose your place if uncle
+takes me into his store?"
+
+"I don't think he will need two boys," replied Harry, soberly.
+
+"Then I'd better see if I can't find a place somewhere else. I don't
+want to take away your place, if you are poor and need the money uncle
+pays you."
+
+"I do need it, but I guess something else will turn up for me. You are
+Mr. Mead's nephew, and ought to have it."
+
+"I hope we shall be friends, at any rate," said Howard, warmly.
+
+"I am sure we shall, Howard," returned Harry, cordially, who felt
+attracted toward his new friend, in spite of the misfortune which his
+arrival would bring to him personally.
+
+Just then, within a quarter of a mile of the store, Harry saw his young
+enemy, Philip Ross, approaching him.
+
+Philip was driving his buggy, which had been repaired since the
+accident.
+
+"I wonder if he will turn out for me?" thought Harry.
+
+Philip had learned wisdom from experience, and did turn out for the
+store wagon. He knew Harry's firmness too well to put it to the test a
+second time at his own expense.
+
+"Good-morning, Philip," said Harry, in his usual manner.
+
+Philip did not notice Harry's salutation, but held his head very high,
+while his face reddened and his lip curled as he drove by his late
+antagonist.
+
+"Who is that boy?" asked Howard, whose attention was drawn to Philip's
+singular conduct.
+
+"Philip Ross, son of Colonel Ross, a rich man in town."
+
+"Is he deaf?"
+
+"No."
+
+"He didn't seem to hear you say good-morning."
+
+"Oh, yes, he did," answered Harry, laughing; "but Philip isn't very fond
+of me."
+
+"Are you enemies?"
+
+"We had a little difficulty lately, and Philip hasn't got over it yet."
+
+"Tell me about it."
+
+Harry told the story, and Howard fully sustained him in what he had
+done.
+
+"He must be a mean boy."
+
+"He thinks he has more rights than common folks, such as he considers
+me. He tried--or, at least, his mother did--to have Mr. Mead turn me
+off, but your uncle is too just a man to go against me for doing my
+duty."
+
+"I noticed he gave you half the road this time," said Howard.
+
+"Yes," answered Harry, with a smile. "He doesn't care to have his wheel
+taken off again."
+
+By this time they had reached the store, and Howard introduced himself
+to his uncle. The next day the blow fell.
+
+"Harry," said Mr. Mead, "I've got bad news for you. My nephew stands in
+need of a place, and I can't afford to keep two boys. I wish I could
+keep you, too."
+
+"I see how it is, Mr. Mead," said Harry, calmly, though his heart sank
+within him. "Howard has the best right to the place. I trust something
+will turn up for me."
+
+"I have been perfectly satisfied with you, and am ready to give you the
+highest recommendation for honesty and fidelity."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Mead."
+
+"You will stay till Saturday night, of course, unless something else
+should offer before that."
+
+Poor Harry! His heart sank within him as he thought of the serious
+difference which the loss of his wages would make at home. The prospect
+of another situation was not very good, for Greenville was a small,
+quiet place, with very few places of business.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER V
+
+                    LOOKING FOR WORK
+
+Harry shrank from telling his mother that he was about to lose his
+place, but he knew it must be done.
+
+In the evening, when he got home from the store, he seemed so restless
+that his mother asked him what was the matter with him.
+
+"This is my last week at the store, mother," he answered, soberly. "I
+suppose that is what makes me feel nervous."
+
+"Has Mr. Mead been induced by Mrs. Ross to turn you away?" asked Mrs.
+Gilbert, beginning to feel indignant.
+
+"No; he isn't that kind of a man."
+
+"Isn't he satisfied with you?"
+
+"I ought to have told you at first that a nephew of his own needs the
+place, and he can't afford to employ two boys."
+
+"I believe Mrs. Ross is at the bottom of it, after all," said Mrs.
+Gilbert.
+
+"No, mother; there you are wrong," and Harry went on to explain that
+Howard's appearance was a surprise to his uncle.
+
+"What kind of a boy is he?" asked the widow, disposed to dislike in
+advance the boy who had been the means of depriving her son of a place.
+
+"He's a nice fellow. I like him already. Of course I am sorry to lose my
+place, but, if I must, I am willing he should have it. I think we shall
+be good friends."
+
+"But what are you going to do, Harry?" asked his mother, anxiously.
+"Your wages have been our dependence."
+
+"I am sure I shall get something else to do, mother," said Harry, in a
+tone of confidence which he did not feel. "Tending store isn't the only
+thing to be done."
+
+"I am sure, I hope so," said Mrs. Gilbert, despondently.
+
+"Don't trouble yourself, mother, about the future. Just leave it to me,
+and you'll see if I don't get something to do."
+
+Nevertheless, the widow could not help troubling herself. She knew that
+employment was hard to find in the village, at any rate and could not
+conjecture where Harry was to find it. She did not, however, say much on
+the subject, fearing to depress his spirits.
+
+Saturday night came, and Harry received his wages.
+
+"I don't know where my next week's wages are coming from, Mr. Mead," he
+said, soberly.
+
+"You may be sure that I will recommend you for any employment I hear of,
+Harry," said Mr. Mead, earnestly. "I really wish I could afford to keep
+you on. You mustn't allow yourself to be discouraged."
+
+"I won't--if I can help it," answered Harry.
+
+The next day was Sunday, and he did not realize that he was out of a
+position; but, when Monday morning came, and he could lie abed as long
+as he pleased, with no call to work, he felt sad.
+
+After a light breakfast, he rose from the table and took his hat.
+
+"Where are you going, Harry?" asked his mother.
+
+"I am going out in search of a job, mother," he replied.
+
+The number of stores was limited, and he was pretty sure in advance that
+there was no opening in any one of them, but he wanted to make sure.
+
+He applied at one after another, and without success.
+
+"I'd take you quick enough, Harry," said Mr. Draper, the dry-goods
+dealer, "but I've got all the help I need."
+
+"So I expected, Mr. Draper, but I thought I would ask."
+
+"All right, Harry. If I hear of anything, I will be sure to let you
+know," said Mr. Draper, in a friendly tone.
+
+All this evidence of friendliness was, of course, pleasant, but the
+prospect of a place would have been more welcome, so poor Harry thought.
+At ten o'clock he reached home.
+
+His mother looked up when he entered, but she saw, by the expression of
+his face, that he had not succeeded.
+
+"You must be tired, Harry," she said. "You had better sit down and
+rest."
+
+"Oh, no, I'm not tired, mother. If you'll tell me where the four-quart
+kettle is, I'll go and pick some blueberries."
+
+"What will you do with so many, Harry?"
+
+"Carry them to Mr. Mead. Every two days he sends a supply to market."
+
+"How much does he pay?" asked the widow, brightening up at this glimpse
+of money to be earned.
+
+"Eight cents a quart, payable in groceries. It won't be much, but will
+be better than nothing."
+
+"So it will, Harry. I don't know but I can do better going with you than
+to stay at home and sew."
+
+"No, mother; you would be sure to get a headache, exposed to the sun in
+the open pasture. Leave me to pick berries. It is more suitable for
+me."
+
+"What time will you get home to dinner, Harry?"
+
+"I shall not come home till the middle of the afternoon. I'll take a
+little lunch with me, and eat in the pasture."
+
+So Harry started out, pail in hand, for the berry pasture. It was about
+a mile away, and was of large extent, comprising, probably, thirty acres
+of land. It was Harry's first expedition of the kind in the season, as
+his time had been so fully occupied at the store that he had had no
+leisure for picking berries.
+
+The berries were not so plentiful as they had been somewhat earlier, but
+they were still to be found in considerable quantities.
+
+Harry was not alone. Probably a dozen other persons were in the pasture,
+engaged in the same way as himself. All knew Harry, and some, who had
+not heard of his loss of place, were surprised to see him there.
+
+"And how is it you are here, Harry?" asked Mrs. Ryan, a good-natured
+Irish woman, who was out, with three of her children, reaping a harvest
+of berries. "And how can Mr. Mead spare you?"
+
+"Because he's got another boy," answered Harry.
+
+"Shure it was mane to send you away, and your mother nadin' your
+wages."
+
+"He couldn't help it. He had a nephew that needed the place. But,
+perhaps, I can make a fortune, like you, picking berries."
+
+"And shure you'd have to live a hundred years to do that, and have
+berries ripe all the year round. It's hard work, Harry, and poor pay."
+
+"You have the advantage of me, Mrs. Ryan. You've got three children to
+help you."
+
+"And don't I have to buy food and clothes for the same? Shure, you're
+welcome to all they earn, if you'll board and clothe 'em."
+
+"I didn't think of that. Perhaps I am better off as I am."
+
+"And so ye are, I'm thinkin'."
+
+Harry found that, exert himself as he might, Mrs. Ryan picked nearly as
+fast as he did. She was used to it, and her pail filled up rapidly.
+
+Harry was glad he did not bring a larger pail, for to him, unaccustomed
+to bend over, the work was fatiguing, and when, as the town clock struck
+two, he saw his pail filled to the brim, he breathed a sigh of relief.
+
+"If the pail held more, I shouldn't feel satisfied to stop," he said to
+himself, "so I'm glad it doesn't."
+
+Mrs. Ryan had two pails and a basket, and each of her children carried a
+small pail, so that she remained in the pasture after Harry left.
+
+It was shorter for Harry to go at once to the store, instead of going
+round by his home, and this he resolved to do.
+
+About twenty rods from the store, rather to his vexation, he met Philip
+Ross, elaborately dressed and swinging a light cane.
+
+Philip, who had not heard of Harry's loss of place, regarded our hero
+with surprise, not unmixed with curiosity. But for his curiosity, he
+would have passed him without a word. Curiosity conquered dislike, and
+he inquired:
+
+"Does Mead send you out to pick berries?"
+
+"No," answered Harry.
+
+"Haven't you been picking berries?"
+
+"This looks like it, doesn't it?"
+
+"Of course. Have you a holiday?"
+
+"Yes, a long holiday. I am not working for Mr. Mead now."
+
+An expression of joy lighted up the face of Philip.
+
+"Has he discharged you?" he asked.
+
+"He has taken his nephew in my place."
+
+"And so you have to pick berries for a living?" asked Philip, in
+exultation.
+
+"Yes," answered Harry, coolly.
+
+"I must go home and tell mother," said Philip, briskly. "Wait a minute,
+though. Do you want a job?"
+
+"Yes," responded Harry, rather surprised that Philip should feel any
+interest in the matter.
+
+"Then I can give you one. Come up to the house early every morning, and
+I'll hire you to black my shoes. I'll give--let me see--thirty cents a
+week."
+
+"Thank you, but I couldn't come up to your house. Bring them down to
+mine every morning, and I may accept the job."
+
+"Do you think I would demean myself by carrying dirty shoes round the
+village?" demanded Philip, angrily.
+
+"I don't know," said Harry, coolly. "You'll have to do it, if you want
+me to black them."
+
+Philip muttered something about impudence, but went off very well
+pleased, to report to his mother that she could trade at Mead's once
+more, as he had sent off Harry Gilbert.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER VI
+
+            UNCLE OBED ARRIVES FROM ILLINOIS
+
+It seemed odd to Harry to enter Mead's store, where he had been
+employed, merely as a customer.
+
+Mr. Mead nodded pleasantly.
+
+"It seems natural to see you here, Harry," he said. "Have you been
+berrying?"
+
+"Yes, and I would like to sell my berries."
+
+"Very well. You know what I pay--eight cents a quart."
+
+"I have four quarts."
+
+"Measure them out yourself, Harry. I will make an exception in your
+case, if you wish it, and give you the money for them."
+
+Harry accepted this offer, as he did not know of what groceries his
+mother stood in need.
+
+As he walked out of the store, he felt more confidence than he had done
+in the morning. He had not got a place, to be sure, but he had earned
+thirty-two cents. This was not quite half what he had been accustomed to
+earn at the store, but it was something.
+
+A little way from the store, Harry passed an old man, dressed neatly,
+but in a well-worn suit, walking with some difficulty, with the help of
+a stout cane. He looked to be seventy years old, at least, and his
+appearance indicated that he was poor.
+
+As Harry passed, the old man called out:
+
+"Stop a minute, boy!"
+
+Harry stopped, and waited respectfully to learn what the old man wanted.
+It is a common complaint that most boys are wanting in respect to old
+age, but this charge could not be brought against Harry, who was
+uniformly courteous to all persons older than himself.
+
+Though he suspected the old man to be very poor, it made no difference
+to him.
+
+"Can you tell me where Mr. Ross lives?" asked the stranger.
+
+"Yes, sir. I suppose you mean Colonel Ross?"
+
+"I believe that's what they call him. His wife is my niece."
+
+Harry was very much surprised to hear this.
+
+"Have you ever been there before, sir?" asked Harry.
+
+"No; I've been living out in Illinoy. But I'm getting old, and my only
+daughter died last month. So I've come here to visit my niece."
+
+"I don't believe Mrs. Ross will be very glad to see her uncle," thought
+Harry; "and I'm sure Philip won't."
+
+"I will show you the way, sir, if you wish," said Harry, politely.
+
+"I wish you would, if it isn't too much trouble," said the old man.
+
+"Oh, no trouble at all," said Harry.
+
+"You seem to be a very obliging boy. What is your name?"
+
+"Harry Gilbert."
+
+"Are your parents living?"
+
+"My mother is living, but my father's dead--that is, we expect he is. He
+was a sea captain, and never came back from his last voyage."
+
+"Did he leave your mother well off?" asked the old man, gazing
+attentively at Harry.
+
+Harry thought him rather inquisitive for a stranger, but credited him
+with good motives, and answered, readily:
+
+"No, sir; we are quite poor; but I have had a place where I earned four
+dollars a week--at the grocery store. Mr. Mead had a nephew come last
+week, and now I am out of work."
+
+"That is unlucky for you."
+
+"Yes, sir; but I shall try hard to get something else soon."
+
+"You look like an industrious boy."
+
+"I like to work."
+
+"Where do you live?"
+
+It so happened that Harry's house could be pointed out across the
+fields, though at least a quarter of a mile away.
+
+"There it is," he said, pointing it out; "but, perhaps, you cannot see
+so far?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I can see it."
+
+By this time they had reached the gate of Colonel Ross, and Harry felt
+that he might safely leave the old man.
+
+Out on the lawn was Philip Ross, who, with surprise and displeasure, saw
+Harry opening the gate for one whom he mentally designated as an old
+tramp.
+
+"What do you want here?" he asked, in a tone far from courteous or
+respectful.
+
+"What is your name?" asked the old man, fixing his glance on the
+questioner.
+
+"My name is Philip Ross, and I am the son of Colonel Ross," answered
+Philip, with an air of consequence.
+
+"Then I am your great-uncle, Philip," said the old man, surveying his
+young kinsman with an interest inspired by the feeling of relationship.
+
+"My great-uncle," repeated Philip, in mingled bewilderment and dismay.
+
+"Yes, Philip, I'm your mother's uncle, come all the way from Illinoy to
+visit you."
+
+Harry was amused to see upon the face of his young antagonist a look of
+stupefaction.
+
+It was a severe blow to Philip, especially in Harry's presence, to be
+claimed as a kinsman by a shabby, old tramp. It was upon his tongue to
+express a doubt as to the relationship, but he forbore.
+
+"Is your mother at home?" asked the old man.
+
+"You can ring the bell and see," answered Philip, deliberately turning
+his back and walking off.
+
+The old man looked after him, with a shrewd glance of intelligence, but
+expressed no opinion of him.
+
+"Harry," he said, turning to his young guide, "will you come with me to
+the door and ring the bell?"
+
+Harry complied with his request.
+
+The door was opened by a servant, who, on seeing the old man, said,
+pertly:
+
+"We've got nothing for the likes of you," and was about to close the
+door on the two.
+
+"Stop!" said Harry, in a commanding voice, for he was provoked with the
+girl's ill manners. "Tell Mrs. Ross that her uncle is here. I think
+you'd better invite him in."
+
+"Well, I never!" said the girl, abashed. "I hope you'll excuse me, sir.
+Walk into the parlor, and I'll tell Mrs. Ross you are here."
+
+"Won't you come in, Harry?" asked the old man, who seemed to have taken
+a liking to his young guide.
+
+"No, thank you, sir. I shall see you again, if you are going to stay in
+the village."
+
+"Thank you! you're a good boy," and the old man began to fumble in his
+pocket.
+
+"Oh, no. I can't take anything," said Harry hurriedly.
+
+Even if the old man had been rich, he would have declined
+compensation--much more when he looked very poor.
+
+"Well, well! I'm much obliged to you, all the same."
+
+Leaving Harry to find his way home, let us see what sort of reception
+the old man had from his niece.
+
+Within five minutes Mrs. Ross sailed into the room.
+
+"Why, Lucinda!" said the old man, heartily; "it's a long time since I
+met you."
+
+"I do not remember ever having seen you," said Mrs. Ross, frigidly.
+
+"I haven't seen you since you were a little girl, for I've been living
+away out in Illinoy. I'm your Uncle Obed--Obed Wilkins--brother of your
+mother."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mrs. Ross, coldly, eyeing the old man's shabby attire
+with something like disdain. "You must be an old man!"
+
+"Seventy-two, Lucinda. I was born in October, while your mother was two
+years younger than I, and born in August. I didn't think to outlive her,
+seeing she was younger, but I have."
+
+"I think it was imprudent in a man of your age coming so far," said Mrs.
+Ross.
+
+"I was all alone, Lucinda. My daughter died last spring, and I wanted to
+be near some one that was akin to me, so I've come to see the only
+relations I've got left on earth."
+
+"That's very cool," thought Mrs. Ross. "He expects us to support him, I
+suppose. He looks as poor as poverty. He ought to have gone to the
+poorhouse in his old home."
+
+To be sure, she would not like to have had it known that she had an
+uncle in the poorhouse; but, so far away as Illinois, it would not have
+been known to any of her Eastern friends, and wouldn't matter so much.
+
+"I will speak to Colonel Ross about it, Mr. Wilkins," she said, coldly.
+"You can stay to supper, and see him then."
+
+"Don't call me Mr. Wilkins. I'm your Uncle Obed," said the old man.
+
+"You may be my uncle, but I am not sufficiently acquainted with you yet
+for that," she answered. "You can come upstairs, if you feel tired, and
+lie down till supper time."
+
+"Thank you, I will," said Uncle Obed.
+
+The offer of Mrs. Ross was dictated not so much by kindness as by the
+desire to get her shabby uncle well out of the way, and have a chance
+for a private conference with her husband, whom she expected every
+minute.
+
+If the unannounced visit of Uncle Obed may be thought to need an excuse,
+it can easily be found. For years, when Mrs. Ross was a girl, she and
+her mother were mainly supported by the now despised uncle, without whom
+they might have become dependent upon charity.
+
+It was not a time that Mrs. Ross, in her present luxury, liked to think
+about, and for years she had not communicated with the uncle to whom she
+owed so much.
+
+Full of charity himself, he was unconscious of her lack of gratitude,
+and supposed that her failure to write was owing to lack of time. He had
+come in good faith, when bereft of his daughter, to renew acquaintance
+with his niece, never dreaming how unwelcome he would be. Philip's
+rudeness impressed him unpleasantly, but, then, the boy had never seen
+him before, and that was some excuse.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER VII
+
+                  AN UNWELCOME GUEST
+
+"I don't believe that old tramp's my great-uncle," said Philip Ross to
+himself, but he felt uneasy, nevertheless.
+
+It hurt his pride to think that he should have such a shabby relation,
+and he resolved to ascertain by inquiry from his mother whether there
+were any grounds for the old man's claim.
+
+He came into the house just after Uncle Obed had been shown upstairs by
+the servant, not to the spare room, but to a small, inconvenient bedroom
+on the third floor, next to the one occupied by the two servants.
+
+"Mother," asked Philip, "is it really true?"
+
+"Is what really true?"
+
+"That that shabby old man is any relation of ours?"
+
+"I don't know with certainty," answered his mother. "He says he is, but
+I shouldn't have known him."
+
+"Did you have any uncle in Illinois?"
+
+"Yes, I believe so," Mrs. Ross admitted, reluctantly.
+
+"You always said you were of a high family," said Philip,
+reproachfully.
+
+Mrs. Ross blushed, for she did not like to admit that her pretensions to
+both were baseless. She was not willing to admit it now, even to
+Philip.
+
+"It is true," she replied, in some embarrassment; "but there's always a
+black sheep in every flock."
+
+Poor Obed! To be called a black sheep--a hard-working, steady-going man
+as he had been all his life.
+
+"But my mother's brother, Obed, strange to say, was always rustic and
+uncouth, and so he was sent out to Illinois to be a farmer. We thought
+that the best place for him--that he would live and die there; but now,
+in the most vexatious manner in the world, he turns up here."
+
+"He isn't going to stay here, is he?" asked Philip, in dismay.
+
+"No; we must get rid of him some way. I must say it was a very cool
+proceeding to come here without an invitation, expecting us to support
+him."
+
+This was a gratuitous assumption on the part of Mrs. Ross.
+
+"I suppose he's very poor. He doesn't look as if he had a cent. I
+presume he is destitute, and expects us to take care of him."
+
+"You'd better send him packing, mother."
+
+"I suppose we shall have to do something for him," said Mrs. Ross, in a
+tone of disgust. "I shall advise your father to buy a ticket for him,
+and send him back to Illinois."
+
+"That'll be the best way, mother. Start him off to-morrow, if you can."
+
+"I won't keep him long, you may be sure of that."
+
+By this time Colonel Ross had reached home, and his wife communicated to
+him the unwelcome intelligence of Uncle Obed's arrival, and advised him
+as to the course she thought best to pursue.
+
+"Poor old man!" said the colonel, with more consideration than his wife
+or son possessed. "I suppose he felt solitary out there."
+
+"That isn't our lookout," said Mrs. Ross, impatiently. "It's right
+enough to say poor old man. He looks as poor as poverty. He'll be better
+off in Illinois."
+
+"Perhaps you are right, but I wouldn't like to send him off
+empty-handed. I'll buy his ticket, and give him fifty dollars, so that
+he need not suffer."
+
+"It seems to me that is too much. Twenty dollars, or ten, would be
+liberal."
+
+The cold-hearted woman seemed to forget the years during which her uncle
+had virtually supported her.
+
+"No, Lucinda; I shall give him fifty."
+
+"You should think of your son, Colonel Ross," said his wife. "Don't
+impoverish him by your foolish generosity."
+
+Colonel Ross shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Philip will have all the money that will be good for him," he said.
+
+"Very well; as you please. Only get him off as soon as you can. It is
+mortifying to me to have such a looking old man here claiming
+relationship to me."
+
+"He is your uncle, Lucinda, and you must mention the plan to him."
+
+"Very well."
+
+It was a task which Mrs. Ross did not shrink from, for she had no fear
+of hurting the feelings of Uncle Obed, or, rather, she did not care
+whether he chose to feel hurt or not.
+
+Uncle Obed was called down to supper, and took his seat at the handsome
+tea table, with its silver service. Colonel Ross, to his credit be it
+said, received his wife's uncle much more cordially than his own niece
+had done, and caused Uncle Obed's face to beam with pleasure.
+
+"Railly, Lucinda," said Uncle Obed, as he looked over the table, "you
+have a very comfortable home, I declare."
+
+"Yes, we try to have things comfortable around us," answered Mrs. Ross,
+coldly.
+
+"Years ago, when you and your mother lived out in Illinoy, I didn't
+think you'd come to live in a house like this."
+
+"Yes, people live in an outlandish way out there," said Mrs. Ross.
+
+"But they have happy homes. When Mary lived, I enjoyed life, though the
+old farmhouse seemed rough and plain, compared with your handsome home.
+I'm glad to see my sister's child living so well, with all the comforts
+that money can buy."
+
+The old man's tone was hearty, and there was a smile of genuine pleasure
+on his rugged face. He was forced to admit that his niece was not as
+cordial as he hoped, but, then, "Lucinda was always reserved and
+quiet-like," he said to himself, and so excused her.
+
+It must be said for Colonel Ross that he knew comparatively little about
+his wife's early life, and didn't dream of the large obligations she was
+under to Uncle Obed. He was a rich man, and the consciousness of wealth
+led him to assume airs of importance, but he was not as cold or
+heartless as his wife, and would have insisted on his wife's treating
+her uncle better had he known the past. Even as it was, he was much more
+gracious and affable than Mrs. Ross to the old man, whom he had never
+seen before.
+
+As for Philip, he was a second edition of his mother, and never
+addressed a word to Uncle Obed. When the latter spoke to him, he
+answered in monosyllables.
+
+"Nancy, you may leave the room. I'll call you if I want you."
+
+This was what Mrs. Ross said to the servant, fearing that Uncle Obed
+might refer to her early poverty, and that the girl might talk about it
+in the neighborhood.
+
+Though Colonel Ross made conversation easy for him, Uncle Obed could not
+help feeling the coldness of his niece.
+
+"Lucindy might treat me better," he thought, "after what I did for her
+in her early days. But I see how it is; she's ashamed of them, and I
+won't say anything to make her feel bad. I see I must look elsewhere for
+a home. Lucindy don't want me here, and I shouldn't feel at home myself.
+I wish Philip was more like that Harry Gilbert, who showed me the way
+here."
+
+Supper was over, and Philip took up his hat to go out.
+
+"Philip," said his father, "you forget that your uncle is here. You
+should stay to keep him company."
+
+"I've got an engagement," said Philip, alarmed at the suggestion.
+
+"Can't you put it off?"
+
+"Let the boy keep his engagement," said Uncle Obed. "I like to see young
+people particular about keeping their appointments."
+
+"Your uncle may like to walk out with you, and see something of the
+village."
+
+Philip looked dismayed at the prospect of being seen in the company of
+the rather shabby old man, who claimed to be his great-uncle.
+
+"No, no," said Uncle Obed. "I can find the way round by myself. A man
+that's used to the Western prairies doesn't get lost easily."
+
+Philip breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time he began to think
+that Uncle Obed had some sensible ideas.
+
+Uncle Obed took his hat and cane, and walked out slowly, making his way
+along the principal street.
+
+"I wish I could see that boy Harry Gilbert," he thought to himself--for
+a new plan had occurred to him. "Why, bless me, there he is now," he
+said, as our hero turned the next corner.
+
+"Good-evening, sir," said Harry, cheerfully.
+
+"Good-evening, Harry. You're just the one I was wanting to see. I've got
+something to say to you."
+
+What Uncle Obed had to say was of importance, but must be deferred to
+the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER VIII
+
+              UNCLE OBED MAKES A PROPOSAL
+
+Harry waited to hear what the old man had to say.
+
+"How do you and my grandnephew hitch horses?" asked Uncle Obed.
+
+"You mean how do we get along together?" asked Harry.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, we are not bosom friends. Philip thinks I am a poor, working boy,
+and looks down on me accordingly."
+
+"It don't do you a mite of harm to work. I had to work when I was a boy,
+and I've done my share of work since I got to be a man."
+
+"I like to work," said Harry. "I only wish I had the chance."
+
+"So there is no love lost between you and Philip?"
+
+"No; he doesn't suit me any better than I suit him. He's got too high
+notions for me."
+
+"He's like his mother," said Uncle Obed. "I reckon she and Philip ain't
+very glad to see me. It's different with the colonel. He's a nice man,
+but he seems to be under his wife's thumb."
+
+Harry did not reply. It was only what he expected, from what he knew of
+Mrs. Ross and her son.
+
+"I hope it won't be unpleasant for you," said he, in a tone of
+sympathy.
+
+"It's a kind of disappointment," the old man admitted. "I was hoping
+Lucindy would be like her mother, and I could have a home with my own
+folks the rest of my life."
+
+"Poor man," thought Harry. "He's old and destitute, and it must be a
+trial for him to find himself so coldly received."
+
+"I wish," he said, impulsively, "we were richer."
+
+"Why?" asked Uncle Obed.
+
+"Because we'd offer you a home. But, unfortunately," continued Harry,
+with a sigh, "we don't know how we are to pay our own expenses."
+
+The old man looked gratified.
+
+"I wish you were my nephew, instead of Philip," he said. "You've got a
+good mother, I take it."
+
+"She's one of the best mothers in the world," said Harry, earnestly.
+
+"I might have known it. Such boys as you always have good mothers.
+Supposing I was able to pay my share of the expenses, do you think your
+mother would give me a home?"
+
+"I am sure she would," said Harry, who could not help feeling interest
+in the homely, but good-hearted, old man. "But I thought----" here he
+hesitated.
+
+"You thought I was destitute, didn't you?" asked Uncle Obed, with a
+smile.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I'm thankful to Providence that I'm not. I've got enough to pay my way
+for the few years that remain to me. My niece might treat me different
+if she knew it, but I'd rather she'd think I was in need."
+
+"Shall I speak to my mother about your coming?" asked Harry.
+
+"Yes; but I won't come just yet. I want to see how Lucindy'll act. She
+wants to get rid of me, and she'll be saying something soon. Like as
+not, she'll offer to pay my fare back to Illinoy," and the shrewd old
+man, who had hit the truth, laughed.
+
+"Very well, sir, I'll speak to mother. We've got a nice room that we've
+kept for a spare chamber, where I'm sure you'd be comfortable."
+
+"I don't much care now what Lucindy says or does," said the old man,
+cheerfully. "If Philip won't have me for a great-uncle, I'll have to
+adopt you in his place, and I guess I'll make a good exchange."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I shall try to treat you as a nephew ought.
+Good-evening."
+
+"That's a good boy," said Uncle Obed to himself. "I wish he was my
+nephew. Somehow, that stuck-up Philip, with his high-and-mighty airs,
+doesn't seem at all kin to me."
+
+Harry went home in excellent spirits. It would be of advantage to them
+to have a boarder, as it would give them a steady, even if small,
+income.
+
+"I wonder what he'll be able to pay?" he said to himself. "If he pays as
+much as I used to get--four dollars a week--it'll make us all right, for
+I'm sure of earning as much as two dollars a week, even if I don't get a
+place."
+
+His mother brightened up, too, when Harry told her of the prospect that
+opened up of making up for his lost wages. It was a timely help, and
+both mother and son regarded it as such.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER IX
+
+                    NOTICE TO QUIT
+
+"Strike while the iron's hot!" This was the motto of Mrs. Ross,
+especially in a matter of this kind. She was firmly resolved to get rid
+of Uncle Obed as soon as she could.
+
+She had always claimed to be of high family, and to have been brought up
+in the same style in which she was now living, and here was a witness
+who could disprove all she had said.
+
+No one knew better than Uncle Obed that she had been very poor in her
+early days, for it was he who, out of his small means, had contributed
+to support her mother and herself. Any day he might refer to those years
+of poverty; and Mrs. Ross felt that she should expire of mortification
+if her servants should hear of them. Farewell, then, to her aristocratic
+claims, for she knew well enough that they would be ready enough to
+spread the report, which would soon reach the ears of all her
+acquaintances. By way of precaution she took an opportunity of
+presenting her version of the story to Nancy, who waited on the table.
+
+"Mr. Wilkins is rather a strange old man, Nancy," she said, affably, as
+Nancy was clearing off the breakfast table the next morning.
+
+"Is he really your uncle, mum?" asked Nancy.
+
+Mrs. Ross wished she could deny it, but felt that she would be found out
+in falsehood.
+
+"Yes, Nancy, I confess that he is. There is a black sheep in every
+family, and poor Uncle Obed was the black sheep in ours."
+
+"You don't say so, mum! He seems harmless enough."
+
+"Oh, yes. There's no harm in him; but he's so rustic. Poor grandpa tried
+to polish him by sending him to expensive schools, but it was no use. He
+took no interest in books, and wouldn't go to college"--Uncle Obed would
+have opened his eyes if he had heard this--"and so grandpa bought him a
+farm, and set him up in business as a farmer. He was rather shiftless,
+and preferred the company of his farm laborers to going into the
+fashionable society the rest of the family moved in; and so all his life
+he has been nothing but a rough, unrefined farmer."
+
+"What a pity, mum."
+
+"Yes, it is a pity, but I suppose it was in him. Of course, it is very
+mortifying to me to have him come here--so different as he is from the
+rest of us. I am sure you can understand that, Nancy."
+
+"Oh, yes, mum."
+
+"He won't feel at home among us, and I think I shall ask Colonel Ross to
+pay his fare back to Illinois, and give him a pension, if he really
+needs it. I dare say he has lost his farm, and is destitute, for he
+never knew how to take care of money."
+
+"That would be very kind of you and the colonel, mum," said Nancy, who
+didn't believe half her mistress was saying, but thought it might be for
+her interest to pretend she did.
+
+"By the way, Nancy, I think I shall not need any more the mantilla you
+like so well. You can have it, if you like."
+
+"Oh, thank you, mum," exclaimed Nancy, in surprise.
+
+For she had never before received a present from her mistress, who was
+well known to be mean and penurious.
+
+The mantilla was a handsome one, and she thanked Mrs. Ross effusively.
+
+"There, I've managed her," thought Mrs. Ross, "though at the expense of
+the valuable mantilla. I grudge it to her, but it is best to guard her
+against any of Uncle Obed's stories, at any cost. I must get rid of him
+as soon as I can."
+
+Colonel Ross wished his wife to postpone speaking for a week, but this
+she was unwilling to promise. She agreed to let her uncle stay a week,
+but insisted on giving him notice to quit sooner.
+
+On the morning of the third day she found her opportunity. Breakfast was
+over, and she left alone with the old man.
+
+"Mr. Wilkins," she said, "I want to have a talk with you."
+
+"Certainly, Lucindy, you can talk just as much as you please. But what
+makes you call me Mr. Wilkins? When you were a little girl, and came
+over with a message from your mother, it was always Uncle Obed."
+
+"It is so long since I have seen you that I hardly feel like speaking so
+familiarly," said Mrs. Ross.
+
+"You'll feel better acquainted after a while, Lucindy."
+
+"That shows he expects to stay a long time," thought Mrs. Ross.
+
+"Don't you think you made a mistake in leaving Illinois?" asked Mrs.
+Ross, point-blank.
+
+"Well, perhaps I did," admitted Uncle Obed.
+
+"Of course you did. You are too old to come to a new place where you
+don't know anybody. Now, out there you knew----"
+
+"Pretty nigh everybody."
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"But out there I hadn't any relations left. After my poor Mary died I
+felt lonesome."
+
+"Still, as you hadn't seen us for so many years, we are almost the same
+as strangers."
+
+"I can't forget, Lucindy, how you and your poor mother struggled along,
+and how I tried to help----"
+
+"We won't recall those old times," said Mrs. Ross, impatiently. "I was
+going to say you wouldn't be happy here. We don't as you were accustomed
+to do; and, in fact, it would be inconvenient for us to have a new
+inmate. My health is delicate, and----"
+
+"You look pretty rugged, Lucindy."
+
+"Appearances are deceitful," said Mrs. Ross, nodding her head solemnly.
+"I am very nervous and all excitement is bad for me."
+
+"I hope I haven't excited you, Lucindy," said Uncle Obed. "I thought I
+was pretty quiet. As to the work, you've got two girls to help in the
+kitchen."
+
+"Yes; but there's a certain amount of care that falls upon me which you
+can't understand."
+
+"I hope you won't alter your living for me, Lucindy. I'm one of your own
+folks, and I don't mind a picked-up dinner now and then."
+
+"The ridiculous old man," thought Mrs. Ross, impatiently. "As if I'd
+alter my style of living for a destitute old man that looks as if
+he'd just escaped from an almshouse."
+
+"We always live the same, company or no company," she said, coldly.
+
+"If we don't change for fashionable visitors from New York and
+Philadelphia, it is hardly likely would for you."
+
+"I'm glad I don't give you any trouble."
+
+"But," continued Mrs. Ross, "it is worrying to my nerves to have
+company."
+
+"Then I shouldn't think you'd invite those fashionable people from New
+York and Philadelphia," said Obed, slyly.
+
+"Plague take him!" thought Mrs. Ross; "won't he take a hint? I shall
+have to speak more plainly. Indeed," said she, "I was surprised you
+should come in upon us without writing, or inquiring whether it would be
+convenient for us to receive you."
+
+"I begin to understand," said Uncle Obed. "I ain't welcome here."
+
+"Well, you can stay a few days, if you desire it," said Mrs. Ross, "but
+you will be much happier in your old home than here."
+
+"I ought to be the best judge of that, Lucindy," said the old man, with
+dignity.
+
+"Perhaps not. People can't always judge best for themselves."
+
+"Perhaps not; but I am going to try the experience of staying here a
+while."
+
+"I have already told you that it will not be convenient for you to stay
+here. Colonel Ross will pay your fare back to Illinois, and that, I am
+sure, is quite as much as he ought to do."
+
+"Lucindy," said Uncle Obed, "you seem to have forgotten the years I
+freely helped you and your poor mother. However, if you don't care to
+remember them, I won't refer to them."
+
+Mrs. Ross had the grace to be ashamed, but was not moved in her
+resolution to get rid of her uncle.
+
+"Of course," she said, "I don't forget the past. We will help pay your
+board in some town at a distance."
+
+"Why at a distance?"
+
+"Because, if you were here, people might think it strange you didn't
+stay with us, and my health won't admit that."
+
+"I'm much obliged for your offer, Lucindy, but I prefer to make my own
+arrangements. I am going to stay here."
+
+"Then we shall not assist you," said Mrs. Ross, angrily.
+
+"I don't wish you to. I can manage to pay my board, and I have already
+selected a boarding place."
+
+"Where do you expect to board?" asked Mrs. Ross, curiously.
+
+"I'll tell you when it's settled."
+
+The next day Uncle Obed informed his niece that he was to board with
+Mrs. Gilbert. This was unwelcome news, because it would be a help to a
+family she disliked; but Uncle Obed was proof against any insinuations
+she was able to bring against Harry and his mother, and the day after he
+transferred himself to the clean and airy chamber in Mrs. Gilbert's
+cottage.
+
+"This will just suit me," said the old man, looking about him with a
+pleased expression. "I like this room much better than the one my niece
+gave me."
+
+"Our house won't compare with hers, Mr. Wilkins," said the widow.
+
+"It ain't so fine, but she put me in a little seven-by-nine chamber, and
+I was always used to plenty of room."
+
+"I am afraid our living will be too plain for you," suggested Mrs.
+Gilbert, apprehensively.
+
+"Do I look as if I was used to high living?" asked Uncle Obed. "No;
+whatever's good enough for you and Harry is good enough for me. And now
+it's best to agree about terms, so that we may know just how we stand."
+
+This was rather embarrassing to the widow. Uncle Obed certainly did not
+look as if he could pay much, yet it would not do to charge too little.
+She would not be able to provide her table.
+
+"Would four dollars suit you?" she asked, in a hesitating way.
+
+"No, it wouldn't," said the old man.
+
+"I don't see how I can afford to ask less," faltered Mrs. Gilbert.
+
+"That isn't the point," he said. "You don't ask enough. I will pay you
+six dollars a week--the first week in advance."
+
+"I should never think of asking so much," said Mrs. Gilbert, amazed.
+"Are you sure----"
+
+"That I can afford to pay so much?" asked Uncle Obed, who understood her
+thought. "Yes; I have a little something, though you might not think it
+from my clothes. When my trunk comes--I left it at a hotel in New
+York--I will dress a little better; but I wanted to try an experiment
+with my niece, Mrs. Ross. Here's the money for the first week."
+
+And, drawing out a large wallet, he took therefrom two bills--a five and
+a one.
+
+"It will make me feel very easy," said Mrs. Gilbert, gratefully, "even
+if Harry doesn't get any regular work, though I hope he will."
+
+"I should like to warn you of one thing," said Uncle Obed. "Don't let
+people know how much board I pay. If Mrs. Ross chooses to think I am
+very poor, let her. She won't pester me with hypocritical attentions,
+which I shouldn't value."
+
+Harry was delighted at his mother's good fortune in obtaining so
+valuable a boarder. Six dollars a week would go a long way in their
+little household.
+
+It gave him fresh courage in his efforts to obtain a place, for he knew
+that, even if it was deferred, his mother would not suffer from the
+delay.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+PHILIP MEETS HIS MATCH
+
+Though it would have been possible for the Gilberts to get along now
+without help from Harry's earnings, his desire to obtain employment was
+quite as great as before.
+
+As he had no place in view, he continued to go to the berry field every
+day, supplying his mother with what she needed, and disposing of the
+rest to Mr. Mead.
+
+The field in which he had at first picked being nearly exhausted, he
+bent his steps in another direction, where he learned that there was
+still a good supply. The field belonged to a Mr. Hammond, a substantial
+farmer, who had no objections to the berries being picked, but required
+parties to obtain his permission.
+
+As Mr. Hammond was understood to be very well to do, Mrs. Ross and her
+son condescended to associate with him and his family on equal terms.
+
+On the particular morning when Harry sought the field, Philip was
+crossing the pasture on his way to a river, where he kept a rowboat,
+when he espied two children, Tommy and Rose Perkins, picking berries.
+
+They were children of eight and ten, and it occurred to Philip that he
+had a fine chance to bully them, in the name of Mr. Hammond.
+
+Striding up to them, with an air of authority, he said:
+
+"Look here, you children, what business have you in this field?"
+
+"It isn't yours, is it?" asked Tommy, independently.
+
+"It belongs to my friend, Mr. Hammond," said Philip. "He don't allow all
+the loafers in town here."
+
+"Tommy and I are not loafers," said Rose.
+
+"All the same, you are trespassing on Mr. Hammond's pasture. Come, clear
+out."
+
+"Mr. Hammond gave us leave to come here, and I don't see what business
+it is of yours," said Tommy.
+
+"I don't believe he gave you permission at all, and I'll let you know
+what business it is of mine, you little rascal," said Philip, in a
+bullying tone.
+
+Luckily for Tommy and Rose, there was a friend near at hand, who was not
+disposed to see them abused. Harry Gilbert had reached the bars between
+the berry pasture and the next field in time to hear Philip's attempt to
+bully the young brother and sister.
+
+"Just like Philip," he thought, with a feeling of disgust. "He is always
+trying to bully those younger than himself, especially if they are
+poor."
+
+Tommy and Rose were the children of a widow, no better off than Mrs.
+Gilbert, and Harry felt a greater sympathy for them on that account.
+
+Meanwhile, Philip, not aware that there was help at hand, continued his
+persecutions.
+
+"Well, are you going to clear out?" he demanded, in a threatening tone.
+
+"No," said Tommy. "Mr. Hammond said we might pick berries here, and you
+have no right to touch us."
+
+"I'll show you whether I have or not," said Philip, in his most
+dominating tone.
+
+He drew back his foot, and deliberately kicked over the children's
+pails, one after the other. Probably there was not more than a pint in
+either pail, as the children had just commenced picking, but it was
+certainly aggravating.
+
+Rose began to cry, while Tommy, his face turning red, said:
+
+"I wish I was big enough; I'd make you sorry for what you have done."
+
+"I see I shall have to give you a lesson," said Philip. "I'll teach you
+to be impudent to me."
+
+He advanced toward Tommy in a threatening manner, and Harry thought it
+time to interfere.
+
+"Don't touch that boy, you contemptible bully!" he exclaimed,
+indignantly, hurrying to the scene of conflict.
+
+"Oh, Harry, make him stop," exclaimed Tommy, in joyful tones.
+
+"I will," said Harry, resolutely.
+
+Philip Ross was very much annoyed by the unexpected arrival of Harry,
+whom he had never been able to intimidate, and would gladly have slunk
+away if pride had not hindered.
+
+"You'd better take care what you say," he rejoined, in a surly tone.
+
+"And you had better take care what you do," returned Harry, manfully.
+"Why have you been interfering with these poor children?"
+
+"I am not responsible to you for what I do," said Philip, angrily. "They
+are trespassing on this field, and I ordered them off."
+
+"By what right? You don't own it."
+
+"My friend, Mr. Hammond, does."
+
+Here Tommy explained that Mr. Hammond had given them permission to pick
+berries.
+
+"I don't believe it," said Philip, "and I've no doubt you are
+trespassing, too."
+
+"Perhaps you'd like to serve me the same way," suggested Harry.
+
+"I'll leave Mr. Hammond to kick you out himself."
+
+"That is more prudent. Stop! where are you going?" for Philip was
+starting to leave them.
+
+"I don't like the company I'm in. I'm going to leave you to enjoy each
+other's society."
+
+"Not yet," said Harry.
+
+"Can't you spare me?" sneered Philip.
+
+"Not till you have picked up the berries you have upset."
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Philip, angrily.
+
+"No; I am only demanding what is reasonable and right. You upset the
+berries, and it is only fair you should pick them up."
+
+"Pick them up yourself!" said Philip.
+
+Again he started away, but Harry planted himself resolutely in his
+path.
+
+"You must pick up those berries or fight me," he said.
+
+"Keep away from me, you beggar!" screamed Philip.
+
+"Once more, will you pick up those berries?"
+
+"No, I won't!"
+
+Harry's only answer was to seize Philip round the middle, and, despite
+his struggles, to lay him down on the ground.
+
+"You'll suffer for this!" said Philip, almost screaming with rage.
+
+"You can go now," said Harry, contemptuously, "and take care how you
+interfere with Tommy and Rose again."
+
+Philip rose from the ground, angry and humiliated, yet not daring to
+attack Harry, whom he knew to be his superior in strength.
+
+"You haven't heard the last of this," he said, shaking his fist.
+
+Harry deigned no reply, and Philip, instead of keeping on his way to the
+river, turned and walked homeward.
+
+Harry helped the children pick up their berries, and remained with them
+through the forenoon.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XI
+
+                  THE TWO CONSPIRATORS
+
+Philip thirsted for revenge upon Harry, but it did not seem very clear
+in what way it was to be obtained. The trouble was that Harry was always
+in the right in all the difficulties they had had, and was likely to
+have popular sympathy on his side.
+
+As Philip walked home, fuming with anger, it occurred to him to make a
+formal complaint against Harry before a justice of the peace. But the
+examination which would ensue would disclose his unjustifiable conduct
+in the berry field, and he reluctantly abandoned the idea.
+
+While in this state of mind he met a recent acquaintance, some three
+years older than himself, named James Congreve.
+
+Congreve was boarding at the village hotel, with apparently no business
+on hand more pressing than smoking, fishing and lounging about the
+village.
+
+He came from the city of Brooklyn, and had been sent to this quiet
+village to remove him from the temptations of the city.
+
+He had been in several business positions, but had given satisfaction in
+none, and, so far as usefulness was concerned, was perhaps as well off
+here as anywhere else.
+
+As James Congreve wore good clothes, and had a showy gold watch and
+chain, which indicated worldly prosperity, Philip was glad to make his
+acquaintance, for Congreve taught him to smoke and play cards for
+money.
+
+So when the two met James Congreve asked, languidly:
+
+"What are you up to, Philip?"
+
+"Not much," answered Philip, suddenly.
+
+"You look out of sorts."
+
+"Oh, I've just had a fight with a boy in the berry pasture."
+
+"I hope you didn't hurt him much," said Congreve, smiling.
+
+"No; but I'd like to," replied Philip, spitefully.
+
+"Who is the villain?"
+
+"Harry Gilbert, a low, impudent upstart."
+
+"Yes, I know; used to be in the grocery store, didn't he?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What's he done now?"
+
+"Oh, it's too long a story to tell. He was impudent to me, that's all. I
+would like to annoy him in some way."
+
+"Get him into a scrape, eh?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Perhaps we can think of some way. If you haven't anything better to do,
+come up to my room and play cards."
+
+"I don't mind."
+
+Soon afterward the two were sitting at a small table in Congreve's
+bedroom at the hotel, playing poker.
+
+This is essentially a gambling game, and for that reason it was a
+special favorite with James Congreve. He was much more than a match for
+Philip, whom he had initiated into the mysteries of the game.
+
+"How much do I owe you, Congreve?" asked Philip, as they sat down to
+their unprofitable employment.
+
+"I don't know, exactly; I've got an account somewhere," answered
+Congreve, carelessly.
+
+"It must be as much as ten dollars," said Philip, rather uneasily.
+"Somehow, you always have more luck at the cards than I do."
+
+"Luck will change in time. Besides, I am in no hurry for the money."
+
+"I only wish an allowance of two dollars a week. Father will only give
+me half of it, and mother makes up the rest. So it would take five weeks
+to pay you, and leave me without a cent to spend."
+
+"Probably you won't have to pay it at all. You may win it all back
+to-day."
+
+Thus encouraged, Philip began to play, but was as unlucky as usual. He
+rose from the table owing Congreve five dollars more than when he sat
+down. "Just my luck!" ejaculated Philip, with a long face. "Just look up
+the account and let me know what it all amounts to."
+
+Congreve made a little calculation, and announced, in apparent surprise,
+that Philip owed him twenty-two dollars.
+
+"It can't be!" ejaculated Philip, in dismay.
+
+"There's no doubt about it," said Congreve. "However, don't trouble
+yourself about it. I can wait. And now for your affair with this Gilbert
+boy. I've got an idea that I may prove serviceable to you."
+
+During the next fifteen minutes a wicked plot was devised, of which it
+was intended that Harry should be the victim. The particulars must be
+reserved for the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION
+
+"Come here, will you!"
+
+Harry Gilbert turned around, for the call was evidently addressed to
+him, and saw, standing on the piazza of the hotel, James Congreve.
+
+"Come here a moment. I want to speak to you," said Congreve, taking from
+his mouth the cigar he was smoking.
+
+Harry was surprised. He had scarcely any acquaintance with Congreve,
+whom he knew chiefly as a companion of Philip Ross. Hitherto he had
+taken no notice of Harry--a circumstance not regretted by our hero, who
+had not formed a favorable opinion of the young man.
+
+"Do you wish to speak to me?" he asked, politely.
+
+"Yes," said James, blandly. "May I offer you a cigar?"
+
+"Thank you, I don't smoke," returned Harry, with increased surprise at
+Congreve's friendly tone.
+
+"It's a bad habit; I dare say you are right," said Congreve gladly. "I
+mean to break off soon. But what I wanted to ask you was: Do you know
+your way about the Pegan Hill Woods?"
+
+"Yes; I've been there often."
+
+"Then you are just the companion I want. I am thinking of exploring them
+with my gun. I suppose I am likely to find some birds?"
+
+"Oh, yes; it's a good place for a sportsman."
+
+"Suppose you come with me. We can have a pleasant afternoon."
+
+Harry hesitated. He did not wish to be disobliging, nor did he wish to
+sacrifice the afternoon. As he did not specially fancy Congreve, he did
+not expect any pleasure from his company, though the young man seemed
+disposed to be cordial. This Harry explained to himself by Congreve's
+desire to secure his services as a guide, and, therefore, did not feel
+much flattered.
+
+James Congreve noticed and understood his hesitation.
+
+"Of course," he said, "I do not wish to take up your time without
+compensation. I will pay you fifty cents for your services."
+
+This put a different face on the matter. Fifty cents was very good pay
+for an afternoon's work, and Harry at once decided that he could not let
+slip so good an opportunity.
+
+"If you think my company will be worth that to you," he said, "I am
+quite willing. How long do you want to stay?"
+
+"I intend to return in time for supper."
+
+"Then it won't be necessary to go home and tell my mother where I am
+going."
+
+"Oh, dear, no! You will be back before she has time to miss you."
+
+"When do you want to go?"
+
+"At once. I will go in and get my gun and be with you in a moment."
+
+"Unexpected things seem to happen to me pretty often," thought Harry. "I
+never expected we should have an uncle of Mrs. Ross as a boarder, and
+here is Philip's intimate friend hiring me as a guide. Somehow, my
+destiny seems to be closely connected with Philip's, though we are about
+as far from being friends as any two boys can be."
+
+"Is any one going with you?" asked Harry when Congreve came out of the
+hotel with his gun.
+
+"No one except you."
+
+"I don't know where Philip is this afternoon," said Congreve
+carelessly.
+
+Harry rather wondered whether Philip and his companion had had a
+quarrel. It would not have surprised him very much, for Philip was quite
+in the habit of quarreling with his associates.
+
+"How far is it to the edge of the woods?" asked Congreve.
+
+"About a mile and a half."
+
+"Quite a good distance. However, it's early, and we shall have time
+enough."
+
+Part of their course lay through the fields and meadows.
+
+As they neared the woods, suddenly Congreve said, in a tone of
+well-counterfeited surprise:
+
+"Why, there is Philip Ross sitting on a rock! I wonder what brought him
+here? Hello, Philip!"
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XIII
+
+                 THREE YOUNG SPORTSMEN
+
+Philip turned and surveyed the newcomers in apparent surprise.
+
+"Are you out gunning?" he asked.
+
+"Yes. I have secured a guide, as you see, fearing I might get lost in
+the woods. I believe you know him?"
+
+"I have that honor," said Philip, superciliously.
+
+This was so much in Philip's ordinary style that Harry did not dream
+there was any collusion between them, and that Philip was here by
+appointment.
+
+"You haven't explained how you happen to be here," said Congreve.
+
+"I? Oh, I had a little headache, and I thought I would take a walk in
+the fresh air."
+
+"Won't you join us?" asked Congreve.
+
+"I don't know," said Philip, irresolutely.
+
+Harry, supposing his indecision might spring from a dislike to his
+presence, here spoke up:
+
+"Perhaps you won't want me any longer, as you have met Philip."
+
+"Oh, yes I do. He may not care to stay with me all the afternoon, as he
+has a headache."
+
+"Probably I shan't be with you more than half an hour," said Philip.
+"I'll walk a little way into the wood."
+
+"Come along, then."
+
+So the three passed into the woods together, Congreve in the middle,
+with Philip on one side and Harry on the other.
+
+Philip and Congreve engaged in conversation, the latter apparently
+forgetting that he had a gun on his shoulder. Harry, however, remembered
+that he was guide to a sportsman, and kept on the lookout for birds.
+
+"Hush! There's a partridge," he said, touching Congreve's arm and
+pointing to the bird.
+
+James Congreve quickly brought his gun to rest and fired. He had very
+little skill, however, and the startled bird flew away, in less danger
+than if the gun had been in the hands of Harry.
+
+"I didn't have time to take aim," said Congreve, apologetically. "Can
+you shoot?"
+
+"A little," answered Harry, modestly.
+
+"If I had had the gun the bird wouldn't have got away," said Philip,
+boastfully.
+
+"Take it, then," said Congreve.
+
+"All right!"
+
+So Philip took the gun and began to look out for birds.
+
+He soon had an opportunity to show his skill. A bird was seen flying
+slowly through the air.
+
+"There's your chance, Phil!" said Congreve, quickly.
+
+Philip raised the gun awkwardly, and it went off in quite a different
+direction from the one contemplated. But, as luck would have it, a
+foolish crow got in the way just at the critical moment, and received
+the charge meant for another object.
+
+"There; do you see that?" exclaimed Philip, triumphantly.
+
+"You don't mean to say you intended to shoot that crow?" asked
+Congreve.
+
+"Of course I did!" answered Philip shortly, determined to get the credit
+of his success.
+
+Harry could not help smiling. "What are you laughing at?" demanded
+Philip, scowling.
+
+"At the mistake I made," answered Harry, good-humoredly. "I thought you
+were firing at the partridge."
+
+"You see you were mistaken," said Philip, offensively.
+
+"I see I was," returned Harry, quietly.
+
+He thought it was foolish to get angry about such a trifle.
+
+"Go and get the crow," said Philip, arrogantly.
+
+It had fallen among some underbrush not far away.
+
+"Shall I?" asked Harry, turning to Congreve, whom he recognized as his
+employer, and the only one entitled to order him about.
+
+"What do you want it for, Philip?" asked Congreve. "It's only a
+crow--good for nothing."
+
+"Never mind; I want it," answered Philip.
+
+In truth, it was the first bird he had ever succeeded in shooting,
+though he would not have been willing to acknowledge this, and he wanted
+to display it at home as a trophy of his skill.
+
+"Then you may get it," said Congreve, who, in spite of his dishonorable
+character, was, in manners, more of a gentleman than Philip.
+
+Harry at once plunged into the thicket, and not without difficulty
+succeeded in finding the crow, which he brought out and delivered to
+Philip. The latter only consented to carry it on account of the pride he
+felt in his success as a sportsman.
+
+"Here, take this gun, Gilbert, and try your luck next," said Congreve.
+
+"I suppose he will eclipse us all," Philip remarked, with a sneer.
+
+"I don't know about that," returned Harry, good-naturedly. "I haven't
+been out many times, not having any gun of my own."
+
+"Look out that you don't shoot either of us," said Philip.
+
+"I am not after such game as that," said Harry.
+
+He took the gun, and began to look attentively in different directions,
+lest any chance should escape him. At length he espied a partridge. He
+raised his gun quickly, took instant but accurate aim, and fired. The
+bird was seen to flutter an instant and then fall.
+
+"You've got him!" exclaimed Congreve, excitedly.
+
+Harry ran in the direction of the bird's fall, and returned, flushed
+with success. Philip's envy was aroused, inasmuch as a partridge was a
+more valuable prize than a crow.
+
+"You were lucky," he said, with his usual sneer. "It was fortunate for
+you that the bird got in the way."
+
+"Rather unfortunate for the partridge, though!" said Harry, coolly.
+
+"It wouldn't happen once in fifty times," continued Philip.
+
+"This isn't the first partridge I've shot," answered Harry, quietly.
+
+"Oh, I don't doubt you're a first-class gunner."
+
+"I have great doubts on that subject myself," said Harry.
+
+"You've both of you succeeded, while I shall have to go home
+empty-handed," said Congreve, who had no particular ambition to shine as
+a sportsman.
+
+"You'll have a chance soon to try again," said Harry.
+
+By this time they had penetrated a considerable distance into the wood,
+and Philip grew impatient to carry out the plan which, from the first,
+they had had in view.
+
+"Isn't it about time?" he asked, significantly.
+
+"Just as you say," replied Congreve, indifferently.
+
+As he spoke he drew from his pocket a ball of strong cord, and both
+boys--if Congreve can be called one--looked significantly at our hero.
+
+"What's coming?" thought Harry, perplexed.
+
+He found out soon enough.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XIV
+
+          WHAT HAPPENED TO HARRY IN THE WOOD
+
+"I have a little matter of business with you, Gilbert," said Congreve.
+
+"Business!" repeated Harry, looking from James Congreve, with his cool,
+deliberate manner, to the face of his companion, who was openly
+exultant. "I don't understand you."
+
+"You'll understand better in five minutes," said Philip.
+
+"I hope so, for I am quite in the dark now."
+
+"The fact is, Gilbert," commenced Congreve, in the cool, deliberate tone
+habitual to him--for he seldom allowed himself to get excited--"my
+friend Philip, here, feels that you have treated him badly----"
+
+"Outrageously!" interrupted Philip.
+
+"Very well; let us say outrageously."
+
+"In what way have I treated him outrageously?" demanded Harry,
+undauntedly.
+
+"Plenty of times," answered Philip, excitedly. "Didn't you attack me in
+the berry pasture?"
+
+"Yes, and you know why. You were abusing two young children."
+
+"It was none of your business," said Philip, shortly.
+
+"It will always be my business," said Harry, boldly, "when I see a large
+bully abusing two unoffending children."
+
+"Quite a modern Don Quixote, upon my word," said Congreve, but not in
+the sneering tone Philip was accustomed to adopt.
+
+He never sneered, and never showed excitement, but he was none the less
+dangerous on that account.
+
+"Don Quixote was a gentleman, though a foolish one," returned Harry, who
+understood the allusion.
+
+"That is where he had the advantage of you," observed Philip.
+
+"A very neat hit, upon my word, Philip," said Congreve. "Really, you are
+improving."
+
+Philip was flattered by this compliment, and looked as if he had quite
+overwhelmed Harry with his sarcasm.
+
+"However," continued Congreve, "we had better proceed to business.
+Philip feels aggrieved, and he expects satisfaction."
+
+"Are we to fight a duel?" thought Harry, who did not in the least
+comprehend what was coming.
+
+"What sort of satisfaction?" he asked.
+
+"You'll see!" said Philip, triumphantly.
+
+Congreve, who was standing beside Harry, handed the ball of cord to
+Philip, saying:
+
+"I will hold him, while you tie his hands and feet."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Harry, starting.
+
+"We propose to tie you hand and foot and leave you here," said Congreve,
+coolly. "It will subject you to some inconvenience, and you may have to
+remain here all night; but it will teach you not to interfere with my
+friend Philip again."
+
+"Is that what you invited me to come out here for?" asked Harry.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Pretending to need my services as a guide?"
+
+"My dear fellow, there was no pretense about that. We selected this wood
+as well adapted for our purpose, and, as I was not familiar with the
+locality, I thought it best for all reasons to hire you to guide me."
+
+"So I have walked into a trap, and lost my time in the bargain," said
+Harry, bitterly.
+
+"Oh, no; you haven't lost your time. I agreed to pay you fifty cents,
+didn't I?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, here it is. I generally fulfil my contracts."
+
+Congreve drew from his pocket two silver quarters, and handed them to
+Harry with a bow.
+
+"That's right, isn't it?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," said Harry, mentally deciding that James Congreve was the
+queerest fellow he had ever met.
+
+"Good! You can't complain of any violation of contract. Now, will you
+remain quiet while I tie you, or must we use force?"
+
+"Wait a minute!" said Harry, deciding to try the effect of an appeal to
+Congreve, who appeared to have some sense of honor. "I think you don't
+understand what passed between Philip and myself. Let me explain."
+
+"No, thank you. It would only be wasting your time," said Congreve, with
+a languid wave of his hand. "I quite understand that Philip here was
+playing the bully----"
+
+"What! Do you mean to insult me?" asked Philip, hastily.
+
+"Oh, no; I am only stating facts. Philip, then, was bullying two
+children, when you stepped in and knocked him down."
+
+"I deny it!" said Philip, flushing.
+
+"Then where's the injury you want satisfaction for?" asked Congreve.
+
+"Do you take the part of a bully, then?" asked Harry, puzzled.
+
+"Yes; for the bully happens to be my friend, and I stand by my friends,
+right or wrong. Accordingly, I propose to leave you here, tied hand and
+foot, for a few hours, or until you succeed in getting loose. It will be
+soothing to the feelings of my friend Philip, and will give you time to
+reflect upon your mistake in attacking the son of a rich man."
+
+"But," urged Harry, "I might have to stay here all night!"
+
+"Quite possible! Fortunately, however, there are no wild beasts prowling
+about in this forest, and you won't incur any danger."
+
+"But my mother will be worried about me."
+
+"I am sorry for that, but it won't be for long."
+
+Harry started to run, feeling that he must avoid the fate that
+threatened him, if possible; but Congreve overtook him almost instantly,
+and, passing his lithe, strong arms around him, pinioned him so firmly
+that he could not escape. He was several inches taller than our hero,
+and, naturally, much stronger.
+
+"Now, Philip," he said.
+
+Philip advanced to tie Harry, but the latter, feeling that resistance
+was useless, turning to Congreve, said:
+
+"If I must be tied, you may do it. I won't resist."
+
+"Come, that's sensible," said Congreve, and proceeded to tie Harry hand
+and foot, as he had proposed.
+
+When the task was completed he took him up and set him down in such a
+way that he could lean his back against a tree.
+
+"That will do," he said. "If you don't get free before, I will come
+to-morrow morning and release you."
+
+"I would like to give him a licking now!" growled Philip,
+
+"That would be cowardly," said Congreve. "Come away and leave him."
+
+Rather reluctantly, for he wanted to stay and triumph over his helpless
+rival, Philip followed his companion out of the wood.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XV
+
+                  PHILIP'S BAD ADVISER
+
+Philip was elated by his triumph over Harry. Being cowardly by nature,
+he felt that it would be a terrible thing to stay in the lonely wood all
+night, and he naturally thought that Harry would look upon it in the
+same light.
+
+He felt that it would pay off all old scores, and leave the advantage
+with him. But there was a drop of bitterness mingled with his
+exultation.
+
+James Congreve had called him a bully to his face, and in the presence
+of Harry, and this seemed to him a personal insult. He was not willing
+to let it pass, and was resolved to give Congreve to understand that the
+offense must not be repeated.
+
+"Well, Philip," said Congreve, "our plan has succeeded."
+
+"Yes," answered Philip, shortly.
+
+"What's the matter? Aren't you satisfied yet?"
+
+"Yes, as far as that goes; but I don't like the way you spoke to me."
+
+"Go ahead! Let me know what it is you complain of."
+
+"You called me a bully!"
+
+"You are one, you know," said Congreve, frankly.
+
+"No, I don't know it; and, what is more, I don't like to have any one
+speak of me in that way!" returned Philip, irritably.
+
+"Very likely not. People don't generally like to have their faults
+alluded to."
+
+"I tell you I am not a bully!"
+
+"You are mistaken. You would bully me if I were a small boy and not your
+superior in strength."
+
+"At any rate, if you are my friend, you ought not to talk of me in that
+way," said Philip, thinking it politic to change his tone.
+
+"You want me to shut my eyes to your real character, then?"
+
+"I don't want you to talk of me in an insulting manner."
+
+"Not at all, my dear fellow. I said you were a bully, and so you are. I
+meant no offense. The sons of rich men are sometimes puffed up with the
+idea of their own importance, and your father is a rich man, at least
+for a country place."
+
+"He is a rich man for any place," said Philip, boastfully.
+
+"I am glad to hear it, especially as it will make it easier for you to
+pay me the trifling sum you owe me."
+
+"Trifling sum!" ejaculated Philip. "You said it amounted to over
+twenty-two dollars."
+
+"So it does; but that is a trifling sum for the son of a very rich man.
+Some persons would charge you for the little service I have done this
+afternoon, but that I only did at the bidding of friendship."
+
+"It was very kind of you," said Philip, uncomfortably; "but you mustn't
+think because my father is rich I have plenty of money. The fact is, he
+is very stingy with me, and if it wasn't for my mother I would only have
+a dollar a week."
+
+"It is very considerate of the old man, to be sure. You ought to have
+five dollars a week."
+
+"So I ought. If I only had I would be able to pay you up in a short
+time."
+
+"Why don't you suggest to your paternal relative to enlarge the
+supplies?" suggested Congreve, knocking off the ashes from his cigar.
+
+"I have," answered Philip, "and he always says that a dollar a week is
+enough for a boy of my age."
+
+"Parents are apt to have limited ideas on such subjects. That was the
+case with my father."
+
+"What did you do?"
+
+"Do? I borrowed from him."
+
+"How could you do that? Was he willing?"
+
+"He didn't know it."
+
+"Didn't know that you borrowed money of him?"
+
+"No. You are an only child, are you not?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"So am I. You will be sole heir to your father's property, won't you?"
+
+"Of course," answered Philip, with an air of consequence.
+
+"Then, really, the property may be considered yours now--at least in
+part."
+
+"I suppose so."
+
+"That's the way I look at it. Well, I happened to know where my father
+kept his government bonds, and I borrowed one."
+
+"Wasn't that stealing?" asked Philip.
+
+"It would have been if the bond had belonged to a stranger, but, as it
+was likely to be mine some day, of course, that made it different."
+
+"What did your father say?" asked Philip, anxiously.
+
+"Oh, he made a fuss; but the bond wasn't registered, and he hadn't a
+memorandum of the number, so he couldn't do anything. I sold it through
+a friend, and while the money lasted I was in clover."
+
+"My father has got some government bonds," said Philip; "but I shouldn't
+dare to take one, although, as you say, they will be mine some day."
+
+"Suppose your father did find it out--which is not at all likely--you
+are his son, and you could tell him plainly that your small allowance
+compelled you to do it."
+
+"I shouldn't know how to dispose of the bond, if I did take one."
+
+"Oh, I would manage that for you! That is the only thing there would be
+any risk about; but you are a friend of mine."
+
+"Yes, I know you are a good friend," said foolish Philip, who, it is
+needless to say, could hardly have had a worse enemy than the one who
+offered him such bad advice.
+
+"So I am, but I don't take any credit for that," answered wily Congreve.
+"People are apt to deceive themselves about such things, you know, as a
+son's appropriating what really belongs to him; but I know the world
+better than you, and understand how to look at things."
+
+"It may be as you say," said Philip, growing nervous at the idea of
+robbing his father, "but I don't think I like the plan."
+
+"Oh, very well; I only suggested it for your good," said Congreve,
+preparing to draw the net around his victim.
+
+"If you have any other way of paying me the twenty-three dollars you owe
+me, it's all the same to me."
+
+"But I thought," said Philip, in alarm, "that you were in no hurry about
+it. You said I might win it back."
+
+"So you may, and probably will; but if you don't you ought to pay it."
+
+"I will, sometime."
+
+"I really should be glad if I could wait till then, but, as it happens,
+I have pressing need of the money."
+
+"But if I can't pay it?"
+
+"Then I shall feel obliged to call on your father, and ask him to pay
+me."
+
+"You wouldn't do that!" said Philip, panic-stricken.
+
+"I shall feel obliged to. It is only a trifle, and he will probably pay
+it, giving you a little lecture, perhaps, but nothing worse."
+
+"You don't know him," said Philip, uncomfortably. "He will be awful mad.
+He had a cousin who was a gambler, and he has often warned me against
+gambling."
+
+"I don't approve of gambling myself," said Congreve; "but there is a
+difference between that and a little stake on a game of cards to make it
+interesting."
+
+"I don't think father would see any difference," suggested Philip, who
+did not himself understand what difference there could be.
+
+It is hardly necessary to say to my young readers that common sense is
+the best teacher in such matters, and that no difference appears to
+common sense between gambling at cards and gambling in any other form.
+
+"Oh, well, you know best about that. Then it would be better that I
+shouldn't say anything to the old man?"
+
+"No; don't say anything to him about it," said Philip, eagerly.
+
+"I won't--that is, if you pay me the money in three days."
+
+"But how can I do it?" asked Philip, in fresh dismay.
+
+"Put a bond in my hands, then, and I will dispose of it and give you the
+balance. You only owe me twenty-three dollars, and a fifty-dollar bond
+would leave you a handsome surplus. If it were a hundred-dollar bond it
+would be all the better. Think of having seventy-five dollars or more at
+your command."
+
+The prospect was tantalizing, but Philip still felt afraid to
+appropriate one of his father's bonds. If it had been a fear of doing
+wrong, I should be glad to say so, but it was more a fear of
+consequences.
+
+"After all," he said, "perhaps I may win it back, and then there won't
+be any need of raising money. You said you would give me the chance."
+
+"So I will. You can come to my room now, if you like, and try your
+luck."
+
+So Philip went, like a fly into the spider's parlor, and the natural
+result followed.
+
+When he left the hotel he had increased his debt to forty dollars, and
+the prospect looked darker than ever.
+
+As he walked home, it is doubtful if he did not feel more uncomfortable
+than our unfortunate hero, whom we left, bound hand and foot, in Pegan
+Hill Wood.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XVI
+
+                  BOUND HAND AND FOOT
+
+Though Harry was a courageous boy, his heart sank within him when he
+found himself left alone in the wood, bound hand and foot.
+
+Pegan Hill Woods were of considerable extent. In length they extended
+about three miles, while in width they ranged from a mile and a half to
+two miles.
+
+Probably the party had penetrated nearly a mile into the wood, and the
+tree against which Harry was leaning was not far from the center of the
+wood. The constrained position in which he was sitting became, after a
+while, somewhat painful. The cords, too, chafed his flesh.
+
+Of course, Harry thought of the possibility of escape. If he could only
+unloose the cords he could readily find his way home, reaching there
+before anxiety or alarm was excited by his absence.
+
+He set to work upon his task, but found, to his disappointment, that he
+had been too securely bound to make this attempt feasible.
+
+The cord was tied again and again in so hard a knot that, even if he had
+had the use of both of his hands, he would have found it a work of time
+to undo them. But when, in addition, his hands were tied, it became
+well-nigh impossible.
+
+He worked until he was tired, and rested, feeling that thus far he had
+really accomplished nothing.
+
+"Philip is about the meanest boy I know of," he thought to himself,
+bitterly. "I suppose he is triumphing over me, as he has a right to do,
+for he has got me into a very awkward scrape."
+
+This consideration was not likely to make him any less uncomfortable,
+for Harry had his share of human nature. From Philip his mind reverted
+to James Congreve. The more he thought of Congreve, the less he could
+understand him. He was certainly a much more gentlemanly boy--or,
+rather, young man--than Philip, and our hero disliked him less, though
+it was Congreve who had tied him.
+
+"He told Philip to his face that he was a bully, and as much as said
+that I had served him right in doing what I did in defense of the two
+children. I don't see how he can be a friend of Philip."
+
+Harry had not much knowledge of the world, however, and would have been
+surprised to hear that Congreve was more dangerous and unscrupulous, and
+altogether bad, than Philip himself, in spite of the latter's unamiable
+traits.
+
+After a while Harry made another attempt to loosen the cords; but the
+second time proved as unsuccessful as the first.
+
+Considerable time had passed--how much he did not know--but, from the
+direction in which the sun glanced in the wood, he concluded that it was
+as late as six o'clock, and by this time he was almost always at home.
+
+Indeed, supper must now be ready, and his mother and their boarder,
+Uncle Obed, were probably ready to sit down to the table, and only
+waiting for him. It was certainly very tantalizing to be lying there
+helpless, knowing that his mother would soon be anxious and troubled
+about him.
+
+"If I could only use my knife," thought Harry. "I would make short work
+of these cords."
+
+He had a knife in his pocket. If a boy has only twenty-five cents in his
+pocket, he is sure to spend it for some kind of a knife, or he must be
+very different from the average boy.
+
+So, of course, Harry was provided with a knife--a good, strong
+jackknife--but, for all the good it was likely to do him, it might as
+well have been at home. His hands being tied, of course, he could not
+get the knife out of his pocket; and, even if he had done so, how could
+he make use of it?
+
+"I never knew twine was so strong before," thought poor Harry, ruefully,
+after a third unsuccessful attempt to get free.
+
+He lay a while longer, getting more and more hopeless of an early
+release. By this time his appetite began to assert itself. He had not
+eaten a very hearty dinner, and naturally felt all the more hungry now.
+
+He began to think wistfully of the good bread and butter and slices of
+cold meat and pie which his mother was wont to provide for the evening
+meal, and some twinges of excusable envy were felt, as he pictured James
+Congreve and Philip, who had brought this trouble upon him, sitting down
+at a well-covered supper table, eating as heartily as if they had not
+left a victim in the woods, helpless and hungry.
+
+"I suppose I shall have to stay here all night," thought poor Harry,
+despondently.
+
+In the morning he was confident of being released. James Congreve had
+promised that he would come and release him, and Harry felt confident
+that he would do so. Had it depended upon Philip, there would be small
+chance of it; but it was easy to see that Philip and Congreve were not
+alike. Of course, this gave him hope, but it was not pleasant to think
+of a night passed in the dark wood; not that Harry was timid or
+superstitious--he was neither--but it is hard not to be somewhat
+affected by gloomy surroundings.
+
+While Harry was occupied with these reflections, suddenly a peculiar
+sound came to his ears, and, looking up, he was startled by the sight of
+a blacksnake, at least four feet long, which, with head erect, was
+gazing intently at him.
+
+Whatever may be the cause of the repulsion that exists between the human
+race and the snake, it is, at all events, genuine, and Harry shared it.
+
+With distended eyes he gazed at this sleek foe of humankind, and felt a
+strong desire to throw something at it, or crush it under foot. But,
+alas! he was able to do neither.
+
+Suppose it should advance upon him, helpless and unable to defend
+himself, and strike its fangs into his flesh, or curl, with slippery
+fold, about him! What could he do? The perspiration came out upon his
+brow, and he made a tremendous effort to get away.
+
+Apparently conscious of his helplessness, the snake remained quietly
+looking at him, and began, after a pause, to slowly glide toward him.
+
+Harry uttered a shrill cry of alarm, which, I am sure, under the
+circumstances, was not discreditable to his courage, and his soul was
+filled with horror and repulsion.
+
+It was a fortunate cry, for it brought help. The sound of flying feet
+was heard, and an instant later a boy of about his own age came rushing
+up.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked.
+
+"Look there!" said Harry, hastily.
+
+"By Jehosophat!" exclaimed the boy, and, advancing toward the snake, he
+aimed a blow at his crest with a rough, stout stick which he held in his
+hand.
+
+The blow fell with good effect. The snake had not yet seen his new
+adversary, and was taken unawares. The jagged stick tore his skin, and
+his head dropped forward, maimed and writhing.
+
+"Follow it up!" cried Harry, in excitement. "Kill him!"
+
+"I'll do it!" said the boy, and he sprang forward to renew his attack.
+
+He found a rock, or, rather, a large stone, close at hand, with which he
+bruised the serpent's head and killed him.
+
+"Ugh, you ugly beast!" he said, in a tone of disgust, miscalling his
+victim. But, then, a country boy is hardly expected to be well up in
+natural history.
+
+"Thank you," said Harry, breathing a sigh of relief.
+
+"Why didn't you kill him yourself?" asked the boy. Then, for the first
+time, noticing in the indistinct light Harry's condition, he said, in
+surprise: "What's the matter with you?"
+
+"You see I'm tied."
+
+"Who tied you?"
+
+"That's a long story. Just untie me, there's a good fellow, and I'll
+tell you."
+
+The boy whipped out a knife from his pocket and quickly cut the cord.
+Harry sprang up and stretched his arms and legs.
+
+"It seems good to be free once more," he said. "But who tied you?"
+
+"Two boys that had a spite against me. At least, one had, and the other
+was his friend."
+
+"How long have you been lying there?"
+
+"Several hours--I can't tell how long."
+
+"It's a mean trick, anyway."
+
+"So it is; I should have had to stay here all night if you hadn't come
+along."
+
+"Or if the snake hadn't swallowed you!" Harry shuddered at the mention
+of the snake.
+
+"That was the worst of it," he said.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XVII.
+
+              WHAT HARRY SAW IN THE WOOD
+
+"What is your name?" asked Harry. "I don't remember seeing you before."
+
+"I live on the other side of the wood. My name is Reuben Richardson."
+
+"Richardson?"
+
+"Yes; we only moved here two months since, and I haven't had a chance to
+get acquainted much. What is your name?"
+
+"Harry Gilbert."
+
+"I suppose you live in the village?"
+
+"Yes. It's lucky for me you came along. There isn't much traveling
+through the wood. How did you happen to be here?"
+
+"I was exploring a little. I was on my way home when I heard you shout.
+I guess I must be going now. I have to get up early in the morning, and
+so I go to bed early."
+
+"Well, good-night, Reuben. Come and see me some day. Anybody will tell
+you where I live."
+
+"Thank you. If you ever come our way, stop at the farm and see me."
+
+"So I will."
+
+The two boys parted, with friendly good-nights.
+
+"Reuben seems a nice sort of boy," said Harry to himself, as he threaded
+his way through the woods in a homeward direction. "I don't know what
+would have happened to me if he hadn't come along."
+
+The moon was already up, though it was still early, and cast a mild
+radiance through the branches of the trees. The effect was fine, but
+Harry had no time for enjoying it, as he was in a hurry to get home and
+relieve his mother's anxiety.
+
+He had gone perhaps a quarter of a mile, when he heard voices,
+indistinct as yet, of men, who seemed to be approaching.
+
+Ordinarily he would have kept right on, without fear or suspicion, but
+it might have been the experience through which he had just passed that
+made him more cautious.
+
+At any rate, he began to look around to see where he could best conceal
+himself till the newcomers passed.
+
+He caught sight of a tree that seemed easy to climb, and he swung
+himself up at once, ascending from limb to limb till he was probably
+twenty-five feet above the ground, concealed by the foliage and the
+obscurity of night.
+
+He had not long to wait.
+
+Presently there emerged from the thicker recesses of the wood two men,
+one of whom carried in his hand a tin box of considerable size.
+
+Harry scrutinized them both, but he only recognized one. That one was a
+man named Ralph Temple, generally considered a ne'er-do-well and a
+vagabond, who lived in a tumble-down shanty in the edge of the wood.
+
+"This is the place I was thinking of," said Temple, halting about twenty
+feet from the tree in which Harry was concealed.
+
+"It seems a lonely, out-of-the-way place," said his companion.
+
+"Yes; no one is likely to see the box here. No one ever comes here.
+There is a path through the wood, which is always used by those who pass
+through it."
+
+"And this is off from the path?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where do you think it best to hide the box?"
+
+"Under that tree will be a good place; say ten feet from it, in an
+easterly direction."
+
+"East and west are all alike to me here; I can't tell the difference."
+
+"I can; and so could you, with a compass."
+
+"Shall you know the place again?"
+
+"Yes; do you notice that mark on the bark of the tree? It was struck by
+lightning once, but that was all the harm done to it."
+
+"Good! That will serve to identify it. But why couldn't we have
+concealed it nearer your cabin?"
+
+"I don't want to fall under suspicion," said Temple, shaking his head.
+
+"Why should you?"
+
+Ralph Temple laughed a harsh, unpleasant laugh.
+
+"The good people round here haven't a very good opinion of me," he said.
+"They would be very apt to suspect me, if suspicion came this way. No;
+it's better to hide the box here."
+
+"I wish we could sell the bonds at once."
+
+"Nearly all are registered, and probably the old man has a record of the
+rest, so that if we tried to sell them we would be brought up with a
+round turn. No; as I told you, the only way is to wait till a reward is
+offered, and then open negotiations for their return. Not immediately,
+you know. We will keep them long enough to make the owner feel anxious,
+and willing to get them back at any cost."
+
+"I guess you're right. We must be prudent. If we could only get away
+with the whole sum it would make us comfortable for a year or two."
+
+"How much is there?"
+
+"Well, there are eight thousand dollars in government bonds, and five
+Union Pacific bonds of a thousand dollars each. They're safe as
+governments."
+
+"Thirteen thousand dollars!" said Temple, in a tone of gratification.
+
+"Yes, and more, for the bonds are all at premium. However, we must lay
+back for a reward. It won't do to negotiate them."
+
+While this conversation had been going on Temple indicated the spot
+which he thought suitable, and, with a spade which he carried, had
+commenced excavating a hole sufficiently large for the purpose.
+
+He dug to a depth of about eighteen inches, the box being eight inches
+in height, and carefully deposited it in the cavity.
+
+Then both replaced a part of the earth, and carried away the remainder
+to the distance of a hundred feet or so. Finally they brought a quantity
+of leaves and covered the spot.
+
+"There," said Temple, with a look of satisfaction; "it's safe enough
+now. It'll take a smart detective to find it, I reckon."
+
+"You're right there, Ralph," said his companion. "It would be a bad sort
+of joke if we couldn't find it ourselves," he added, after a pause.
+
+"I can find it, never you fear!" said Temple. "I know these woods as well
+as anybody, and shan't forget the spot."
+
+"All the same, I wish I had some of that money now. I'm almost dead
+broke."
+
+"So am I; but I can let you have enough to get back to the city."
+
+"And suppose," said Vernon, with an uneasy look, "you should take a
+fancy to remove that box while I am away?"
+
+"Don't be afraid. Ralph Temple isn't that kind of a man. He'll stand by
+his pard and treat him fair."
+
+"It would be a rough trick to play on me, Ralph," said Vernon,
+apparently not quite free from uneasiness.
+
+"So it would; but there is no danger. Even if I did couldn't you expose
+the whole thing, and have me arrested?"
+
+"So I could," returned Vernon, more reassured by this consideration than
+by his faith in Temple's fair dealing.
+
+"Well, if you're all ready, we may as well vanish. You can stay with me
+to-night, and go to the city in the morning. Watch the papers, and see
+if there is anything that promises advantage to us."
+
+"All right."
+
+The two men moved off, much to Harry's relief. He was in momentary dread
+of a sneeze, and this would betray his whereabouts to Temple and his
+partner.
+
+What these two desperate men would have done to him, had they discovered
+him, it was not easy to guess; but, under the influence of vexation and
+alarm, they might have brought upon him worse trouble than any he had
+yet experienced.
+
+Such, indeed, was likely, from what he knew of Ralph Temple. He was
+generally considered a disreputable character, and the villagers were
+ignorant as to how he made his living.
+
+From time to time he came to the village store provided with money; but
+where it came from no one knew, as he was not known to do anything,
+except to roam the fields and woods with his gun. Sometimes he
+disappeared for a week or a fortnight at a time, but where he went,
+unless to the city, no one knew.
+
+Harry conjectured, from what he had just seen, that Temple was in league
+with wicked men in the city, with whom he was engaged in violations of
+the law, and in this surmise he was correct.
+
+He understood a little better now Ralph Temple's object in selecting as
+his abode this lonely and out-of-the-way place.
+
+Harry did not venture to descend from his elevated perch until the two
+men had ample time to get beyond sight and hearing.
+
+When he touched the ground, he first scanned the tree and its vicinity
+carefully, so as to make sure he could find it again, and then hurried
+home.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XVIII
+
+                  HARRY'S COMMISSION
+
+It may be well imagined that Harry was in a thrill of excitement as he
+walked home. He had just witnessed what was undoubtedly an attempt to
+conceal the proceeds of a burglary. He, and he alone, outside of the
+guilty parties, knew where the booty was deposited, and he asked himself
+what was his duty under the circumstances.
+
+Of course he had no sympathy with Temple and Vernon. They had made
+themselves the enemies of society, and he was in duty bound to defeat
+their criminal plans, if possible, and restore the property to its legal
+owner or owners.
+
+Here a difficulty stared him in the face. He didn't know to whom the tin
+box and its contents belonged, for not a word had been dropped by the
+two thieves which could inform him. They had made up their minds,
+however, to wait till a reward should be offered, and then come forward
+and claim it, or, at any rate, open negotiations through others looking
+to that result.
+
+Why could not Harry learn, in like manner, who had been robbed, and
+communicate with them? This seemed to him the most sensible course.
+
+Here, again, there was another difficulty. In the little country village
+he was not in a position to see any such notice, for they took no daily
+paper, and, though Mr. Mead did, his inquiry for it would excite
+curiosity and lead to questionings. It seemed necessary for him to go to
+New York.
+
+"Shall I tell mother, or not?" he asked himself.
+
+On the whole, he thought it better not to do so. So far as he was
+concerned, his mother was timid, and she would be anxious lest he should
+incur the hostility of the two lawless men of whose crime he had come
+into the knowledge. Yet he wanted to consult somebody, for he felt that
+the matter was one of no little importance, and that he needed a man's
+counsel.
+
+"I'll speak to Uncle Obed about it," he said to himself. "He isn't used
+to cities, to be sure, but he has had a long life, and must have
+considerable experience. At any rate, he will be better qualified than I
+to know what ought to be done."
+
+He had scarcely come to this conclusion before he reached the cottage.
+
+His mother, with a troubled expression of countenance, was sitting at
+the table, not sewing or mending, as usual, but with her hands clasped
+in her lap, while near her sat Uncle Obed, also looking sober.
+
+"I am sure something has happened to Harry," she had just been saying.
+"I never knew him to stay out so long without telling me."
+
+"Boys will be boys," answered the old man, not knowing what else to say.
+"He's gone off on some lark with some of his playmates."
+
+"But he never does that without telling me, Mr. Wilkins. He's always so
+considerate."
+
+"He'll be coming home safe and sound, depend upon it," said Uncle Obed,
+with a confidence greater than he actually felt.
+
+"Perhaps he has fallen from a tree--he was always fond of climbing--and
+broken his leg," suggested Mrs. Gilbert, dolefully.
+
+"He's too smart for that," said Uncle Obed.
+
+"What should I do if he never came home?" exclaimed the poor woman, with
+a shudder.
+
+Mr. Wilkins was hardly prepared to answer this question, and, luckily,
+it was not necessary, for just then the latch was lifted and Harry
+walked in.
+
+"Didn't I tell you so?" said Uncle Obed, triumphantly.
+
+"Oh, Harry, I'm so glad to see you! Where have you been so long?"
+
+"It's lucky you came just as you did," said Mr. Wilkins. "Your mother
+had made up her mind that you had met with an accident."
+
+"I wanted to come home, but I couldn't," answered Harry. "I was in the
+woods."
+
+"Lost your way?" asked Uncle Obed.
+
+"Not exactly. Two boys played a trick upon me."
+
+Of course Harry had to explain what sort of a trick it was. Mrs. Gilbert
+was very indignant, and denounced Philip and his confederate in no
+sparing terms.
+
+"You ought to go and complain to Colonel Ross," she said. "Philip ought
+not to be allowed to do such things."
+
+Harry smiled. He had no idea of following this advice. It would have
+been an acknowledgment of weakness, and he felt able to defend himself
+against Philip Ross and his machinations.
+
+"Mother," he said, "I've got very particular reasons for not doing this,
+and for not even mentioning that I was in the wood. Now, I want you to
+promise me not to say a word about it, for a week at least."
+
+"But if I see Philip," said his mother, "I can't keep silent."
+
+"You must, for my sake, mother. You don't know how much depends upon
+it."
+
+"I don't understand," said Mrs. Gilbert, thoroughly bewildered.
+
+"No, I suppose not; but I have a strong reason that I can't mention just
+yet."
+
+"I hope there's nothing wrong going on," said his mother, alarmed.
+
+"If there is, it isn't anything that I'm to blame for. Only there's a
+secret that I can't tell just yet. You'll know it in good time. I want
+to consult Uncle Obed to-night about it, and you won't mind if I don't
+tell you just yet?"
+
+"Give the boy his way, ma'am," said Mr. Wilkins. "If there is anything
+very bad about it he wouldn't tell me."
+
+His mother was somewhat reassured, and left the two to themselves. Then
+Harry began and told his story. Mr. Wilkins listened with attention, and
+not without surprise.
+
+"Really, Harry, it's quite an adventure, I call it," he said. "Do you
+know this man Temple?"
+
+"I know that he's a sort of tramp. I didn't suppose he was a thief
+before."
+
+"You never saw this other man before?"
+
+"No; never heard of him."
+
+"They're a pair of rascals, I reckon. Now, what have you thought of
+doing?"
+
+"Of going to New York to-morrow to find out what I can about the
+burglary, or whatever else it was. If I can find out who has been
+robbed, I'll go and tell them about it, and where the bonds are hid."
+
+Uncle Obed nodded approvingly.
+
+"That's a good idea," he said.
+
+"What puzzles me," continued Harry, "is how to explain to mother why I
+go to the city. I can't tell her, and she'll feel nervous."
+
+"I can manage that," said Mr. Wilkins. "I'll tell her you have gone on
+business for me."
+
+"But will it be true?" asked Harry.
+
+"Yes; I've got some cowpons"--that's the way the old man pronounced the
+word--"that you can get the money for."
+
+"Shall I have any difficulty about it, Uncle Obed?"
+
+"No; you can go to a broker, and he'll give you the money for it, taking
+out his commission. How much does it cost to go to New York?"
+
+"The price of an excursion ticket is a dollar."
+
+The old man took from his pocket a two-dollar bill.
+
+"There," said he; "that'll pay your ticket and get you some dinner."
+
+"But, Uncle Obed, you ought not to pay my expenses."
+
+"Why not? Ain't you going on my business?"
+
+"I'm going principally on my own," said Harry.
+
+"Well," replied the old man, smiling, "then you must take it because I
+am your uncle."
+
+"I know I call you so."
+
+"You seem a good deal more kin to me than Philip. He's ashamed of his
+old uncle, and so is his mother; but you are not.
+
+"No, no, Harry; it's all right. I ain't exactly poor, but I'd rather my
+niece would think so. So don't you say anything to them about the
+cowpons."
+
+"I'm not likely to, Uncle Obed."
+
+The old man went up to his room and brought down ninety dollars' worth
+of government coupons, which, as gold was then ruling at a dollar and
+twenty, would bring about a hundred and eight dollars in currency.
+
+Mrs. Gilbert was much surprised when Harry told her that he intended to
+go to New York the next day on business for Uncle Obed; but, of course,
+had no idea that he had still more important business of his own.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XIX
+
+                SECOND VISIT TO THE WOOD
+
+There was an early train from the neighboring village of Crampton to New
+York. Harry got up early, and walked the first part of the way through
+the fields to a point where the footpath struck the main road,
+three-quarters of a mile from the village.
+
+In this way it happened that he was not seen by any of his companions,
+and his day's expedition was kept a secret.
+
+Just after breakfast James Congreve received a call at the hotel from
+Philip.
+
+"Our friend in the wood must be hungry by this time," said James.
+
+"Ho, ho!" laughed Philip, in evident enjoyment. "It's a splendid joke."
+
+"I fancy he doesn't think so," said Congreve, shrugging his shoulders.
+
+"Of course he doesn't. He must have been fully scared, staying there all
+night."
+
+"He doesn't strike me as a boy who would easily be frightened,"
+
+"At any rate, he must be hungry," said Philip, in a tone of
+satisfaction. "I guess he'll find it doesn't pay to insult me."
+
+"Well, he's had enough of it; we'll go and release him."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"You don't want him to stay there all day, do you?" demanded Congreve.
+
+"It wouldn't do him any harm," muttered Philip.
+
+"What a mean fellow you are, Philip! You ought to be satisfied with
+keeping him there all night."
+
+"I wish you wouldn't call me names," said Philip, pettishly.
+
+"Don't deserve them, then. Well, are you coming with me?'
+
+"I don't know; it's a good ways," said Philip, hesitating.
+
+"Just as you like. I am going. I told the boy I would, and I mean to
+keep my promise."
+
+And James Congreve stepped off the piazza and started.
+
+"Oh, well, I'll go, too. I want to see how he looks," said Philip, and
+began to laugh.
+
+"Take care how you laugh at him there, Phil, or he may pitch into you."
+
+"You won't let him, will you, James?" said Philip, apprehensively.
+
+"I thought you were a match for him," said Congreve, with an amused
+smile.
+
+"So I am, but he might take me unawares. He'll be so mad, you know."
+
+"I'll protect you," said Congreve. "Come along."
+
+Both boys would have liked to learn whether Harry had been missed at
+home, and what was thought of his disappearance; but there seemed to be
+no one to ask, and, for obvious reasons, they did not care to show any
+curiosity on the subject.
+
+"I'd like to meet Mr. Wilkins," said Philip. "He boards there, you know,
+and he might say something about it."
+
+"Mr. Wilkins is your uncle, isn't he?"
+
+"He's a distant relation of ma's," said Philip, reluctantly. "We don't
+know much about him."
+
+"I suppose he's poor?" suggested Congreve, drily.
+
+"Oh, dear, yes! He was a farmer or something out in Illinois. He probably
+pays a dollar or two a week board at Gilberts'. They're dreadfully poor,
+you know. I shouldn't be surprised if all hands were in the poorhouse
+before the year is out."
+
+"Your uncle and all?"
+
+"He isn't my uncle!" said Philip, snappishly.
+
+"Relative, then. You wouldn't want a relative in the poorhouse?"
+
+"Pa offered to pay his expenses back to Illinois, but the old fellow was
+obstinate and wouldn't go. I expect he's hanging round here in hopes of
+getting something out of pa and ma; but it's no use, as he'll find out
+sooner or later."
+
+"Strange he went to board with the Gilberts, isn't it?"
+
+"Oh, it's a good enough place for a rusty old chap like him. He ain't
+used to living in any style. Ma says he's half crazy."
+
+By this time they had reached the borders of the wood, and soon they
+came to the place where Harry had been left bound.
+
+"Why, he isn't here!" exclaimed Philip, in surprise and disappointment.
+
+"So it appears."
+
+"How could he have got away?"
+
+James Congreve, bending over, searched carefully, and at length got some
+light on the subject.
+
+"Somebody cut the cords," he said. "Look here--and here!" and he pointed
+out fragments of the strong cord with which the captive had been bound.
+
+"That's so. Do you think he did it himself?" asked Philip,
+disappointed.
+
+"No; he was too securely tied. I took care of that. Somebody came along
+and released him."
+
+"I hope he had to stay all night, at any rate," said Philip.
+
+"That we cannot discover at present. One thing is certain--he's free."
+
+"I'm sorry I came," muttered Philip. "I have had this long walk for
+nothing."
+
+"You haven't had the satisfaction of releasing him, I suppose, you
+mean?"
+
+"No, I don't. I wanted to see how he looked. It's too bad he got away."
+
+"There's nothing for it but to go back," said Congreve. "You'd better
+look out for him. He may want to pay you off."
+
+"He'd better not try it," said Philip, but he seemed uneasy at the
+thought.
+
+On their way back they passed, unconsciously, near the place where the
+tin box was concealed.
+
+Hovering near the spot was Ralph Temple, uneasy for the safety of the
+buried treasure.
+
+He eyed the two young fellows with suspicion. They had no guns in their
+hands, and he could not understand what object they had in coming to
+this out-of-the-way place so early in the morning.
+
+"What are you about here?" he demanded, roughly.
+
+Philip was frightened and turned pale; but James Congreve only surveyed
+the man curiously, and said:
+
+"Is that any business of yours, my friend?"
+
+"You'll find out whether it's any business of mine," returned Temple,
+angrily.
+
+"That's precisely what I would like to find out," said Congreve, coolly.
+"You accost us as if you were the owner of the wood, which, I take it,
+you are not."
+
+"Do you want me to wring your neck, young man?" said Temple, with a
+growl.
+
+"Oh, don't make him angry, James!" begged Philip, nervously, laying his
+hand on Congreve's arm.
+
+James--who certainly was not a coward--surveyed his companion
+contemptuously.
+
+"Much obliged to you for your kind offer," said he, addressing Temple,
+"but I must decline it."
+
+"You've got too long a tongue, young man!" said Temple, provoked by the
+other's coolness. "I've a mind to teach you a lesson."
+
+"When I want one I will let you know," said Congreve, changing his tone
+and manner and regarding the other scornfully.
+
+"Meanwhile, my man, I advise you not to drink so early in the morning.
+It doesn't improve your naturally bad manners."
+
+With a muttered exclamation Ralph Temple sprang forward, prepared to
+handle Congreve roughly, as he was quite able to do, being much his
+superior in size and strength, but, with his hand nearly touching the
+shoulder of the young man, recoiled, as Congreve drew out a revolver and
+pointed it at him.
+
+"One step further and I fire!" he said, in a calm, collected tone, while
+Philip stood by, as pale as a sheet.
+
+"Confusion!" exclaimed the ruffian, in mingled amazement and dismay.
+"Who are you, anyway?"
+
+"My name is James Congreve, at your service," said the owner of that
+name, bowing. "I regret that I haven't a card about me."
+
+"You're a cool customer!" muttered Temple, surveying Congreve
+curiously.
+
+"So people tell me. You'll find me at the hotel in the village, if you
+have any further business with me."
+
+Congreve nodded carelessly and left the spot--Phil, in a very nervous
+condition, keeping himself somewhat in advance.
+
+"He's a cool chap," muttered the ruffian. "But it's clear he knows
+nothing of our affair. I was a fool to make a fuss. It might lead to
+suspicion."
+
+"What a dreadful man!" said Philip, as the two were walking away.
+
+"Do you know him?"
+
+"His name is Ralph Temple. He's a kind of tramp."
+
+"He's an impertinent fellow, at any rate. It's well I had my revolver
+with me."
+
+They walked back to the village, momentarily expecting to see or hear
+something of Harry Gilbert; but neither then nor later in the day was
+their curiosity gratified.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XX
+
+                ON THE WAY TO NEW YORK
+
+Harry stepped on board the train without seeing any one whom he knew,
+and took a seat on the right-hand side. Just in front of him was an
+elderly farmer, with a face well browned by exposure to the sun and
+wind. He had a kindly face, and looked sociable. It was not long before
+he addressed our young hero.
+
+"Going to New York?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Are you acquainted there?"
+
+"No, sir; not much."
+
+"Nor I. I was thinking you might be able to direct me to a place where I
+could get money for some cowpons."
+
+"Government coupons?" inquired Harry, becoming interested.
+
+"Yes. You see, my wife's uncle died not long ago, and left Sarah a
+government bond of a thousand dollars, drawing six per cent interest.
+There's thirty dollars due the first of this month, and I told Sarah
+that I'd go and collect it for her."
+
+"I've got some business of that same kind," said Harry. "I was told
+there were brokers' offices in Wall Street, where I could collect the
+money without any trouble."
+
+"I'll go with you," said the farmer, in a tone of satisfaction. "If
+he'll buy yours, he'll buy mine."
+
+"I shall be glad to have your company," said Harry, politely.
+
+It flattered his vanity that a man old enough to be his grandfather was
+disposed to be guided by him in a matter of such importance.
+
+Just then a smooth voice was heard from the seat behind.
+
+"Gentlemen," said a young man, showily dressed and with a profusion of
+rings on his fingers, "excuse my interrupting you, but I may be able to
+save you some trouble."
+
+They naturally waited for an explanation of these words.
+
+"I overheard you saying that you had some coupons to dispose of."
+
+"Yes," replied the farmer, eagerly.
+
+"I am myself a banker and broker, and deal in government securities. If
+the amount is not too large, I will buy your coupons and pay for them at
+once."
+
+"That will be handy," said the farmer. "I've got thirty dollars in
+cowpons."
+
+"And you, my young friend?" said the so-called broker, addressing
+Harry.
+
+"I have rather more than that," said Harry, in a reserved tone.
+
+Somehow, he was suspicious of the plausible stranger.
+
+"I will pay you a higher price than most houses, besides saving you all
+the trouble," said the broker, insinuatingly, as he drew out a capacious
+wallet, and, opening it, exhibited a pile of bills.
+
+The farmer immediately drew out his coupon.
+
+"Let me see," said the broker; "thirty dollars, gold at the present
+premium comes to thirty-six dollars."
+
+"Thirty-six dollars!" repeated the farmer, complacently. "Sarah'll feel
+rich when she gets that money."
+
+"Here's your money," said the broker, producing three ten-dollar bills,
+a five and a one. "The bills are new, you perceive."
+
+The farmer put away the bills in his old wallet, and the stranger
+slipped the coupon carelessly into his vest pocket.
+
+"Now, my young friend, I am ready to attend to your matter," he said,
+turning to Harry.
+
+"I won't trouble you," said Harry, coldly; "I prefer to dispose of the
+coupons in the city."
+
+"Just as you like; but you would do better to deal with me."
+
+"Why?" asked Harry.
+
+"In the city they will allow you but a hundred and nineteen for gold."
+
+"How is it you can afford to do better by me?" asked Harry, shrewdly.
+
+"Our house makes a point of dealing liberally with their customers,"
+said the broker.
+
+"What is the name of your firm?"
+
+"Chase & Atkins," answered the other glibly. "I am a relative of Salmon
+Chase, ex-secretary of the treasury, and, since, chief justice of the
+Supreme Court."
+
+"You don't say!" ejaculated the farmer. "Salmon Chase is a great man."
+
+"So he is. Thank you, sir, for your appreciation of my distinguished
+relative. Of course, it doesn't make me any better to be related to that
+great man, but I am naturally proud of it."
+
+"Hadn't you better sell your coupons to him?" asked the farmer, who was
+quite prepossessed in favor of the gentlemanly stranger.
+
+"No, sir; I was instructed to sell in Wall Street, and I prefer to do
+so."
+
+"Oh, just as you please," said Mr. Chase. "You will lose by it, but
+that's your affair. Good-morning, gentlemen. I have a friend in the next
+car."
+
+So saying, he bowed, and left the car.
+
+"Well, my business was easily done," said the farmer.
+
+"Will you allow me to look at the bills he gave you?" asked Harry.
+
+"Sartain! Why?" and the farmer drew out his wallet.
+
+Harry took one of the bills in his hand and examined it carefully, but
+he was not an expert, and could not judge whether it was good or not.
+
+"Don't you think it's good?" asked the farmer, uneasily.
+
+"I presume it is; but I didn't like the looks of the man you had
+dealings with."
+
+"He is of good family," said the farmer.
+
+"He says he is," responded Harry, significantly, "and I hope it's all
+right. We'll wait till the conductor comes along, and ask him about the
+bills."
+
+Fifteen minutes elapsed, however, before that official made his rounds,
+and during that time the train stopped at two stations. At one of these
+Harry's suspicions were increased by seeing that Mr. Chase got out.
+
+At last the conductor appeared, and Harry passed him the bill.
+
+"Is that bill good?" he asked.
+
+The conductor held it up to the light, and shook his head.
+
+"No," he said; "it's one of a quantity of counterfeits that has lately
+made its appearance. Where did you get it?"
+
+"It belongs to me," said the farmer, his honest countenance exhibiting
+much distress. "I took it in payment for some cowpons."
+
+"Who gave it to you?"
+
+An explanation was given.
+
+"I noticed the man," said the conductor. "He is a well-known swindler.
+Have you got any more?"
+
+The others were exhibited. Out of them all the conductor declared that
+only the one-dollar bill was genuine.
+
+Probably it had not been thought worth while to counterfeit a bill of so
+low a denomination.
+
+"Oh, what'll Sarah say?" ejaculated the distressed farmer. "What a
+tarnal fool I've been! She wanted me to buy her a nice dress out of it,
+and I've only got a dollar left!"
+
+"Perhaps the man may be caught," suggested Harry.
+
+"I don't believe it. Simon Jones, you ain't fit to go around alone.
+You're as green as--as--a gooseberry!"
+
+Harry pitied him, but was unable to offer any adequate consolation.
+
+"Will you give me your name and address?" he said. "And, if I can hear
+anything of your coupons, or the man that swindled you, I'll write and
+let you know."
+
+"Will you? I'm obleeged to you," said the farmer, who had formed quite a
+high idea of our hero's sagacity from his declining the trap into which
+he himself had fallen. "My name is Simon Jones, of Crabtree Hollow,
+Connecticut."
+
+Harry entered it in a little memorandum book which he carried.
+
+At length the great city was reached, and the crowd of passengers
+dispersed in different directions.
+
+It was over a year since Harry had been in the city, and he was not very
+familiar with it, but he had a modest confidence in his ability to get
+along.
+
+"Shine yer boots, guv'nor?" asked a ragged bootblack.
+
+"How much?" Harry asked. "Seein' it's you, I'll only ask ten cents,"
+returned the street boy.
+
+"Thank you. I blacked my own boots before I left home."
+
+"Do you call that a shine?" said the boy, contemptuously, as his glance
+rested on Harry's shoes, which certainly did not vie in polish with
+those operated upon by city bootblacks.
+
+"It'll do for me," answered Harry, good-naturedly.
+
+"Mornin' papers--_Herald, Times, Tribune, World!"_ called a newsboy.
+
+"Give me a _Herald,"_ said Harry, who suddenly bethought himself of the
+tin box, and was anxious to find out whether any allusion was made to
+the theft in the morning papers.
+
+He opened the paper, and his eyes ran hastily over the crowded columns.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXI
+
+                    A REWARD OFFERED
+
+Harry looked over the news columns in vain for an account of the
+robbery, or some allusion to the tin box which he had seen concealed in
+the wood.
+
+"There may have been something about it in yesterday's paper," he said
+to himself. "I must go to the office of publication and buy a copy."
+
+It occurred to him, however, that there might be an advertisement
+offering a reward for its recovery, and he began to search, with this
+object in view.
+
+Presently his eye lighted on the following:
+
+"Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars Reward.
+
+"On the fifteenth instant, a Tin Box, containing a considerable sum in
+Five-Twenty Government and Union Pacific Bonds, was stolen from the
+office of the subscriber. The above sum will be paid for the discovery
+of the thief, or for information leading to the recovery of all, or the
+larger part, of the bonds. JAMES P. WHEELER,
+
+"No. 265 Broadway, Room 10."
+
+I do not claim to have given the correct number, for obvious reasons. Of
+course, the address given in the advertisement was accurate.
+
+Naturally, Harry was much pleased at his easy success. He had only to go
+to the office mentioned and communicate what he knew, and leave Mr.
+Wheeler to take the necessary steps for the recovery of the property.
+
+Should he attend first to that, or to the sale of the coupons? On the
+whole, he decided to go to Mr. Wheeler's office first, as the tin box
+might be removed at any time, if the suspicions of Vernon or Temple
+should be excited.
+
+It was, of course, perfectly easy to find any address on Broadway, and
+not many minutes elapsed before Harry found himself before the door of
+office No. 10.
+
+Entering--for the door was ajar--he saw a large, handsomely fitted-up
+office, with a small room partitioned off at one corner.
+
+In this room sat a man of middle age, with a keen face and a brisk air,
+which indicated that he was a trained man of business.
+
+Outside, at a desk, sat a young man, evidently a clerk, who was busily
+engaged in writing. It was he who looked up when Harry entered and
+looked hesitatingly about.
+
+"Well, Johnny, what can I do for you?" said the young man,
+patronizingly.
+
+"Is Mr. Wheeler in the office?"
+
+"Yes; but he is busy."
+
+"He will see me," said Harry, with quiet confidence.
+
+"Will he?" asked the young man, surveying our hero with some curiosity.
+"Who do you come from?"
+
+"From no one. I have business of my own with Mr. Wheeler."
+
+"Who is it?" asked an imperative voice.
+
+"A boy to see you, sir," answered the clerk, respectfully.
+
+"Bring him in, then, and don't waste his time and your own in
+unnecessary talk."
+
+"Waste his time, indeed," muttered the clerk, who evidently did not
+regard Harry's time as particularly valuable.
+
+"Well, young man," said the lawyer--for such was his business--as Harry
+entered his presence. "What is it?"
+
+"I should like a private interview, sir," said Harry, glancing at the
+clerk, who was hovering near.
+
+"Shut the door, and resume your writing, Richard," said Mr. Wheeler.
+
+Shrugging his shoulders, with a disappointed look, Richard obeyed.
+
+"I came to see you about the advertisement," said Harry, coming to the
+point at once.
+
+The lawyer started, and eyed Harry keenly. Could the boy be one of the
+thieves, or was he merely acting as a go-between?
+
+"Do you know anything about the box of bonds?" asked Mr. Wheeler,
+quickly.
+
+"Yes, sir; I know where it is concealed."
+
+"Ha, that is important. Do you come from the parties that took them?"
+
+Harry colored, and looked indignant.
+
+"No, sir," he answered, with emphasis.
+
+Mr. Wheeler smiled.
+
+"I was bringing no charge against you," he said. "I thought the guilty
+parties might have employed you as their agent--their innocent agent.
+Now, tell me how you come to know anything about the matter."
+
+This Harry proceeded to do. As the story is already familiar to the
+reader, he shall be spared a repetition of it. It is needless to say
+that the lawyer listened with earnest attention.
+
+"This is a curious story," he said, "but I see no reason to question its
+accuracy. I certainly hope it is true."
+
+"It is true, sir."
+
+"Of course, I imply no doubt of your word. Now, tell me, did you see
+distinctly the faces of the two men who were employed in concealing the
+box?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Should you know them again?"
+
+"I should."
+
+"Did you recognize either?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed the lawyer, who did not expect an affirmative
+answer. "Who was it?"
+
+"Ralph Temple."
+
+"How did you know him?"
+
+"He lives in a poor cabin just on the outskirts of the wood."
+
+"How long has he lived there?"
+
+"About two years."
+
+"What is his reputation?"
+
+"Very poor. No one knows how he makes his living, though at times he
+seems to have plenty of money."
+
+"Is he absent a part of his time?"
+
+"Yes, sir; he is sometimes away for a month at a time."
+
+"Probably he is in league with some criminals in the city, and may have
+an object in living where he does."
+
+"I thought of that, sir."
+
+"Did you recognize the other man?" the lawyer next asked.
+
+"No, sir. It was no one I ever saw before; but I noticed his face well,
+and should know him again."
+
+"So far, so good. Can you find or lead others to the place in the wood
+where the box was concealed?"
+
+"Yes, sir; but I don't think they will leave it there long. Something
+ought to be done soon."
+
+"Something shall be done. By the way, have you mentioned what you saw to
+any person?"
+
+"To only one--an old gentleman boarding at my mother's house."
+
+The lawyer looked annoyed.
+
+"I am sorry for that. It may be all over the village before you get
+back, and, in that case, your information may do no good."
+
+"Don't be afraid, sir. Obed Wilkins can keep a secret."
+
+"Obed Wilkins! Does he come from Illinois?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I know him," said the lawyer, smiling. "In fact, he is a client of
+mine. As you say, he can keep a secret. My boy--by the way, what is your
+name?"
+
+"Harry Gilbert."
+
+"Very well, Harry, your chance of earning the reward offered is very
+good."
+
+"I did not come here with any thought of the reward."
+
+"Perhaps not; but the owner can very well afford to pay it, and I advise
+you to accept it if your information leads to the recovery of the box."
+
+"Doesn't it belong to you, sir?"
+
+"Oh, no. It belongs to one of my clients. It disappeared from my office
+two days since. The owner is not yet aware of his loss, but I felt
+authorized to offer the reward. May I count on your further help?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then I shall send you at once with a note to a police officer,
+requesting two detectives to accompany you back. I shall give them
+instructions, and they will probably go back with you to the country."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Mr. Wheeler dashed off a few lines, properly addressed them, and handed
+them to Harry.
+
+"Use all dispatch," he said.
+
+"I will," answered our hero, promptly.
+
+As he left the inner office, the clerk outside regarded him curiously.
+He was surprised at the long interview accorded him, and wondered what
+could be his errand.
+
+As Harry descended the stairs, he jostled a man who was ascending, and
+naturally was led to look at him. Harry came near dropping with sheer
+surprise. The man he recognized at once as Vernon, one of the men whom
+he had seen in the wood.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXII
+
+                    BROUGHT TO BAY
+
+Harry felt that matters were getting exciting, and a crisis seemed
+imminent.
+
+"I will hurry as fast as I can," he said. "I suppose he has come about
+the tin box, too. I hope he will stay till I get back."
+
+Vernon, little dreaming that he was recognized by the office boy--as he
+took him to be--who had just jostled against him, kept on his way
+upstairs. His appearance was that of a well-dressed man, not much over
+thirty, who might be filling a responsible business position in the
+city. When, therefore, he said to the clerk, "Is Mr. Wheeler in?" he
+received a more polite reply than had been accorded to Harry fifteen
+minutes before.
+
+"Mr. Wheeler?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," said the lawyer, with his usual scrutinizing look.
+
+"I should like to speak to you in private, sir."
+
+"Another claimant for the reward," thought the lawyer.
+
+"Very well," he said. "Have the kindness to close the door."
+
+Vernon did so.
+
+"Now," said the lawyer, abruptly, desiring to get through with his
+interview before Harry's return from his mission.
+
+"You advertised for the recovery of a tin box of valuables?" said
+Vernon.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I may be able to assist you in the matter," said Vernon.
+
+"Indeed! Then you know where it is?" said the lawyer, eying him keenly.
+
+"I didn't say that, did I?" asked Vernon, smiling craftily.
+
+"No; but you probably know--that is, if your information is of any
+value."
+
+"That isn't at all necessary," said Vernon, coolly. "I may say as much
+as this, however that I am employed by those who do know the whereabouts
+of the box."
+
+"Then there was more than one connected with the robbery?"
+
+"Yes," said Vernon, hesitating.
+
+He saw that every word was noted, and afforded a basis for inferences.
+
+"What do your employers authorize you to say?" asked the lawyer, sitting
+back in his chair.
+
+"That they can lay their hands on the bonds at short notice, and are
+ready to return them, if it is made worth their while."
+
+"I suppose you have read my advertisement, Mr.----"
+
+"Precisely," answered Vernon, not taking the hint and announcing his
+name.
+
+He might do so soon, but resolved not to be precipitate.
+
+"Then you know what reward we offer."
+
+"It isn't enough," said Vernon, briefly.
+
+"Why not? It seems to me that two hundred and fifty dollars is a very
+respectable sum of money."
+
+"I shall charge my clients as much as that for my agency," said Vernon,
+"and they naturally want something for their trouble and risk."
+
+"Do you know how much the box contains?"
+
+"Yes; my clients have told me."
+
+"Do they realize that, if they refuse my offer, they will find
+considerable trouble in negotiating the bonds?"
+
+"Yes; but they can do it. There are parties who will advance them much
+more than the reward, and take the risk, holding them till such time as
+the affair is forgotten."
+
+"What parties?"
+
+"Do you suppose I will tell you that, sir?" asked Vernon, cunningly.
+
+Mr. Wheeler did not, but he was only filling up the time. He had made up
+his mind that the man before him was something more than the agent of
+the thieves, and he now wished to protract the interview till Harry
+should have had time to return with the two detectives.
+
+"No," he replied, "I can hardly expect you to answer that question. I
+should like to ask you, however, whether you have had any conversation
+with your clients about the sum they would consider sufficient to repay
+them for their 'trouble'?"
+
+"Yes, sir; that subject has come up between us."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"I think, sir, you will have to multiply the reward you offer by ten."
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed the lawyer, who was not at all surprised, however.
+"This is a large sum."
+
+"It is only about one-sixth the market value of the bonds."
+
+"I don't think my client would consent to pay so large a sum as that."
+
+"Then your client must be prepared to lose the whole amount."
+
+"It appears to me that a thousand dollars would be an adequate, not to
+say a handsome, reward."
+
+"What would it amount to divided among four persons, after paying me my
+commission?"
+
+"Then there were four persons engaged in the theft?"
+
+"Better say in the removal of the deposits. It sounds better."
+
+"Call it so, if you like. Doesn't it occur to you that it hardly
+required as many as four persons to remove the tin box, weighing with
+its contents, not over two pounds?"
+
+"I suppose one could have lifted it," said Vernon, smiling.
+
+"True; but do you know it is my theory that two persons were engaged?"
+
+Vernon started, and scanned his companion's face anxiously. Did he know
+anything? That was what he asked himself.
+
+"You can form any theories you please," he said, with a forced smile.
+"They won't alter facts."
+
+"You are right, Mr.----"
+
+"You may call me Thompson."
+
+"Very well, Mr. Thompson."
+
+By this time a foot was heard upon the stairs. The door opened, and
+Harry Gilbert entered.
+
+He came forward, not appearing to notice the visitor, and placed in Mr.
+Wheeler's hand a scrap of paper, on which he had written in pencil:
+
+"The man with you is one of the robbers. I can identify him. I met him
+as I was going out. The two detectives are in the entry. I thought it
+best not to bring them in till I had a chance to tell you this."
+
+Mr. Wheeler's eyes lighted up as he read this scrap, and he looked
+approvingly at Harry.
+
+"Quite right," he said. Then, turning to Vernon, he continued: "I don't
+think we can come to terms. I have reason to doubt whether you can carry
+out your promise and deliver the property."
+
+"I suppose this is a bluff game, intended to deceive me," said Vernon,
+showing symptoms of anger. "I can assure you that it will do you no
+good."
+
+"I may find out elsewhere the location of the box."
+
+"Impossible! I, and I alone--that is, outside of the men who employ
+me--can give you this information. They will follow my advice, whatever
+it is, and I shall advise them not to surrender the box until they
+receive an adequate reward."
+
+"Such as the sum you name?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Wouldn't two thousand dollars tempt you?" asked the lawyer.
+
+"I think not. Still, I will consult them. I might advise them to accept
+that sum."
+
+"My dear sir, I don't want to deceive you. I attach very little
+importance to your information, or your power in this matter. In fact, I
+have a theory as to the place where the box is concealed."
+
+"Indeed, sir," said Vernon, with a sneer. "May I ask what is your
+theory?"
+
+"Certainly. I think it is concealed near some country town, in a
+secluded spot in a wood."
+
+Vernon jumped to his feet in dismay. He was convinced that his
+confederate had got the start of him and made a bargain with the lawyer,
+thus anticipating his own treachery, for he had promised Temple that he
+would suffer some time to elapse before communicating with anyone on the
+subject.
+
+"Who has been here?" he asked.
+
+"One who saw you and your confederate bury the box," answered the
+lawyer, sternly.
+
+Without a word, Vernon dashed from the office, only to be seized by the
+two detectives, who had come provided with handcuffs.
+
+"This is an infamous conspiracy!" declared Vernon, furiously. "If Ralph
+Temple has betrayed me----
+
+"Harry," said the lawyer, "do you recognize this man?"
+
+Vernon stared in surprise at the supposed office boy.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Where did you see him last?"
+
+"In Pegan Hill Wood, in the town of Waybridge."
+
+"What was he doing?"
+
+"Burying a tin box in a hole which he dug for the purpose."
+
+"Who was with him?"
+
+"A man named Ralph Temple."
+
+"What do you say to this, Mr. Thompson?" asked the lawyer.
+
+Vernon turned to Harry.
+
+"Where were you at the time?" he asked.
+
+"In a tree just overhead," answered Harry, undauntedly.
+
+"I was a fool not to look more carefully about me," he said. "What is
+your name?"
+
+"Harry Gilbert."
+
+"Then, Mr. Harry Gilbert, I owe you a debt which, sooner or later, I
+shall manage to pay."
+
+"Take him away," said the lawyer to the detectives, "and then come back
+to me for instructions."
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXIII
+
+                    FINDING THE BOX
+
+"My boy," said the lawyer, turning to Harry, "you have done yourself
+credit. A grown man could not have shown more judgment."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Harry, pleased at the compliment.
+
+"But your work is not yet done. As soon as the detectives have returned,
+you must go back at once to Waybridge with them, and lead them to the
+place where the box is concealed."
+
+"I am ready, sir," replied Harry. "But," he added, with a sudden thought
+of one of his errands, "will there be time for me to go to Wall Street
+first?"
+
+"Why do you want to go to Wall Street?"
+
+"I have some coupons which I am to sell for Mr. Wilkins."
+
+"To what amount?"
+
+"Ninety dollars gold."
+
+"I will myself give you the money for them, as that will save time.
+Should the search for the box be successful, I will take upon me to pay
+you the reward as soon as you desire it."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+Harry might have declined the reward, but he felt, justly, that he had
+rendered a valuable service to the unknown owner of the bonds, and was
+entitled to it.
+
+Presently the detectives came back.
+
+"Well," said the lawyer.
+
+"He is safe under lock and key," promptly answered one of them.
+
+"How did he appear?"
+
+"Sullen and despondent. He vows vengeance against this boy."
+
+"Probably he will not be in a position for some years to harm him. And
+now I have some instructions to give you."
+
+Half an hour later Harry and the two detectives were passengers on a
+train bound for a town not far from Waybridge. It was a different
+railroad, however, from the one on which Harry had come. The choice was
+made from a desire to avoid suspicion.
+
+From a point four miles distant they took a carriage, hired from a
+stable, which left them on the opposite side of the wood from the one by
+which Harry had previously entered.
+
+Of course, they could not penetrate the wood with a vehicle, and the
+question came up:
+
+"Who can be got to look after it?"
+
+Just then Harry saw in a field near-by Reuben Richardson--the boy who
+had released him from his bonds.
+
+"Reuben!" he called out
+
+Reuben approached, regarding Harry and his companions with surprise.
+
+"Have you an hour to spare?" asked one of the detectives.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then please look after this team, and I'll see that you don't lose your
+time."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+Then, free from all anxiety, the three made their way into the forest.
+The way seemed blind enough to the two detectives, who were, of course,
+on unfamiliar ground.
+
+"Are you sure you can find the place?" asked one of them, doubtfully,
+addressing himself to Harry.
+
+"Sure," answered Harry, briefly.
+
+"It seems blind."
+
+"I know the wood well. I have played here from a boy."
+
+"Where does this Temple live?" asked the second detective.
+
+"In the edge of the wood."
+
+"Near here?"
+
+"No, on the other side of the wood."
+
+"It is to be hoped he has not grown distrustful and removed the box."
+
+"I don't think there is any danger of it, sir. Remember, it is only last
+night that it was concealed. Besides, he wouldn't dare to attempt it in
+the daytime, when he would be liable to be seen."
+
+"Quite right. You are unusually considerate for a boy."
+
+Harry did not disappoint his companions. He led the way to the place
+where, the night previous, he had seen the tin box secreted, and
+instantly pointed out the exact spot where it was concealed.
+
+The two detectives lost no time in searching for it. They had brought no
+shovel with them, lest, being seen, their object might excite suspicion;
+but, by means of sticks which they sharpened into stakes with the help
+of sharp jackknives, they turned up the earth, and, in due time,
+revealed the box.
+
+"There it is," said Harry, joyfully, for he was also helping, and it was
+his stake that struck it first.
+
+"So it is," exclaimed the first detective, in a tone of satisfaction.
+
+There was no loss of time in lifting the box from its place of
+concealment. Then it was thought best to replace the earth, and
+carefully to cover the place with leaves, so as to hide from the
+superficial observer the fact that it had been disturbed.
+
+"Our errand is accomplished," said the second detective. "Now let us
+make all haste back to our wagon."
+
+"I will guide you," said Harry.
+
+"Do so, or there is no knowing when we shall get back, or whether we
+shall get back at all. I once lost my way in a wood, and was wandering
+about four good hours, and all within a radius of two miles, before I
+got out. It is difficult to keep your direction in a forest, unless you
+have a compass."
+
+So Harry, who had expected it, served as a guide on the return, and
+conducted them safely to the wagon.
+
+Reuben was paid for his service with a dollar bill, which he declared he
+should have considered satisfactory for a whole day's labor.
+
+Harry was about to say good-by to his companions, but they advised him
+to ride back with them to a point on the road where he could make his
+way to Waybridge without the trouble of passing through the wood,
+besides having a less distance to go.
+
+"What time is it?" he asked.
+
+"Two o'clock," answered one of the detectives, consulting his watch.
+
+"Only two o'clock!"
+
+Harry could scarcely believe it, so much had happened since he got up in
+the morning, yet it was even so. It had taken very little time to do his
+business in the city, as we know, and almost half the day still lay
+before him.
+
+Harry thought of what he had accomplished with pardonable pride and
+satisfaction. He had frustrated the plans of two daring thieves, caused
+the arrest of one of them, and the probable speedy arrest of the other,
+arranged for the restoration to the owner of a valuable property, and
+earned for himself the munificent sum of two hundred and fifty dollars.
+
+Nothing particular happened on his homeward walk.
+
+"Got home so soon, Harry?" asked Uncle Obed, as our hero entered the
+little cottage.
+
+"Yes, sir; and here's the money for your coupons."
+
+"How about that other matter, Harry?"
+
+"It came out all right. Where's mother?"
+
+"Gone to call on one of the neighbors."
+
+"Then I'll tell you about it; but I don't want to say a word to mother
+till the whole thing is settled."
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXIV
+
+                PHILIP IN A TIGHT PLACE
+
+Ralph Temple was still at his cottage, or, more properly, hut, waiting
+impatiently for Vernon to reappear, that he might obtain his share of
+the contents of the tin box.
+
+He had led a lawless life, and more than once been engaged in dishonest
+transactions, but never in one of such magnitude as the present. He
+calculated that, even if they surrendered the box in consideration of a
+reward, he would not receive less than a thousand dollars, and he was
+planning how he would dispose of this sum.
+
+This was the project which he fixed upon: For years he had been desirous
+of visiting California, in the hope that chances of getting rich,
+honestly or dishonestly, might be met with in a State whose very name
+was suggestive of gold. With a thousand dollars he would feel justified
+in going. Moreover, there would be an advantage in leaving a part of the
+country where he was an object of suspicion to the authorities, and was
+liable at any time to be arrested for complicity in more than one
+questionable transaction.
+
+In his lonely hut he knew nothing of the developments in the last
+robbery--whether any reward had been offered as yet. This was
+necessarily left in the hands of Vernon, while he remained to guard the
+hidden treasure.
+
+A state of suspense is all the harder to bear when a man has nothing
+else to divert his thoughts, and this was the case with Temple.
+
+"What if the box should be discovered?" was the thought that haunted
+him.
+
+Finally, though he had once before visited the hiding-place of the tin
+box, he decided to go again, and started at such a time that he arrived
+about an hour after Harry and the detectives had unearthed and removed
+it.
+
+Meanwhile, it becomes necessary to state that Philip Ross, whose
+curiosity was excited by the continued absence of Harry, made up his
+mind once more to visit the wood to see if he could discover any traces
+of his victim.
+
+"He's hiding in the wood so as to make an excitement," thought Philip.
+"He'll make a great fuss about what we did to him."
+
+In fact, Philip was getting a little anxious about the results of his
+high-handed treatment of Harry. He was not sure but Harry might have him
+arrested, and this excited his fears. He admitted to himself,
+reluctantly, that tying a boy hand and foot, and leaving him all night
+in the forest, was rather more than a joke.
+
+He called at the hotel for Congreve, but was told that he had gone to
+ride.
+
+After a little hesitation, he decided to go to the wood alone, carrying
+with him, by way of precaution, a stout cane which belonged to his
+father, to defend himself with in case Harry should be lying in wait and
+make an attack upon him.
+
+On his way he had occasion to pass by the locality of the hidden
+treasure, though, of course, he knew nothing about this.
+
+Just at the spot he heard a tramping in the fallen leaves, and, looking
+up hastily, saw Ralph Temple approaching.
+
+Now, Temple, as we know, was a man of questionable reputation, and,
+moreover, once already he and Congreve had had an angry altercation with
+him. It is not much wonder, therefore, that Philip's heart beat with
+fear at the prospect of meeting this man alone, so far from help.
+
+He could not get away without attracting attention, and, therefore, as
+the best thing under the circumstances, hid himself behind the broad
+trunk of a stately oak tree, and in fear and trembling waited for the
+unwelcome intruder to depart.
+
+Ralph came along, with a quick, swinging gait. He was a tall man, of
+strong frame, and an unprepossessing countenance appropriate enough to
+his character and reputation.
+
+His first glance was directed toward the spot where he had helped bury
+the box upon which his future plans depended.
+
+There was something that startled him in the evident displacement of the
+leaves, as if there had been others there since the morning.
+
+"Can it have been taken?" he asked himself, with a thrill of anxiety.
+
+He strode forward hurriedly, and, removing the leaves, discovered signs
+of recent disturbance. Most suspicious of all, he found one of the
+stakes, the end soiled with dirt, which had been used by the
+detectives.
+
+With a beating heart and a muttered imprecation, he began to dig down to
+ascertain whether his apprehensions were justified.
+
+Philip, peering from behind the tree, was very much alarmed by this
+incomprehensible proceeding.
+
+What could the man be doing? Was he insane? He blamed his folly in
+seeking again this dangerous neighborhood after the encounter of the
+morning.
+
+"Oh, if I were only safe at home," he mentally ejaculated; "or, if
+Congreve were with me. If he discovers me he may kill me."
+
+He thought of running away, but in the silence of the forest his steps
+would undoubtedly be heard, and he would be pursued. So it seemed most
+prudent to stay where he was. In fear and trembling he continued to
+watch the dreadful outlaw.
+
+It was not long before Temple made the unwelcome discovery, suspected
+from the first, that the box was gone. He desisted from his work and
+gave vent to such a volley of imprecations that Philip trembled as if he
+had an ague fit.
+
+Could it be, Temple asked himself, that Vernon had proved false to him,
+and, returning, conveyed away the box for his own individual profit?
+
+"If he has, I'll kill him," he muttered, in a deep, growling tone.
+
+Philip heard him, and his heart beat fast with fear. Who did Temple want
+to kill? Was it himself or Congreve?
+
+"I'd give a thousand dollars, if I had it, to be at home," thought the
+miserable boy.
+
+As for Temple, he was no less miserable. All his hopes and anticipations
+were dashed. The disappearance of the tin box, whoever might have
+removed it, would render it impossible to carry out plans of Californian
+emigration with which he had been solacing himself all the morning. Such
+a big haul as the present might never be made again.
+
+His first suspicion fell upon his partner, but he also thought of the
+two whom he had met in the forenoon in the wood. They had been
+suspiciously near the spot, and might be implicated in the loss. It
+didn't seem probable, but it was possible.
+
+At this inauspicious moment Philip, yielding to a tickling in the throat
+which he couldn't overcome, coughed. It was not a loud cough, but Temple
+heard it.
+
+He instantly started for the quarter from which the sound proceeded, and
+in a few seconds discovered and dragged Philip by the collar from behind
+the tree.
+
+"What are you doing here?" he demanded, sternly.
+
+"Nothing," answered Philip, trembling.
+
+"Ha! You are one of the boys that I caught prowling round here this
+morning."
+
+"I have as much right here as you," said Philip, plucking up a little
+courage.
+
+"Have you? We'll see about that," snarled Temple. "Where's the other
+fellow?"
+
+"He isn't here."
+
+"Isn't here? I don't believe it. He's hiding somewhere near."
+
+"Then you can find him," said Philip, sullenly.
+
+"No matter! I've got you, you rascal!" And he shook Philip fiercely.
+"What villainous work have you been up to?"
+
+"I don't know what you mean," said Philip, his teeth chattering. "I am
+the son of Colonel Ross, and he won't allow me to be treated this way."
+
+"I'd treat him the same way if I caught him here," growled Temple, with
+a lack of reverence for the colonel's exalted position, which struck
+Philip with horror. "Now, tell me what you have done with the tin box,
+you young scoundrel!"
+
+"The tin box!" ejaculated Philip, in genuine amazement.
+
+"Yes, the tin box. You know well enough what I mean."
+
+"I don't know anything of any tin box; indeed, I don't."
+
+"Do you mean to say you didn't dig it up from the place where we put
+it?"
+
+"No; indeed I didn't! I don't know anything about it. What was in it?"
+
+Was this ignorance real or affected? Temple could not tell. What was
+certain was that the box was gone, and this boy was hovering about the
+spot. It would be folly to let him go.
+
+"I don't believe you," he said, bluntly. "You must come with me."
+
+And he began to drag Philip off in the direction of his hut.
+
+"Oh, where are you taking me?" asked the frightened boy.
+
+"You'll know soon enough. I'm going to keep you till the tin box is
+restored to me."
+
+Poor Philip! As he was jerked along by his collar, in the stern grasp of
+the outlaw, he suffered a good deal more than Harry had in his recent
+captivity.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXV
+
+               PHILIP BECOMES A PRISONER
+
+"Please let me go, and I'll give you five dollars," said poor Philip, as
+he was dragged along the forest path by his captor.
+
+"Humph!" said Temple, grimly, thinking he might as well take the money,
+though he had no intention of releasing Philip. "Have you got five
+dollars with you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then you are trying to fool me," exclaimed Temple, with an angry jerk
+at the boy's collar.
+
+"No, I'm not," answered Philip, terrified. "I've got two dollars with
+me, and I'll bring you the rest before night.
+
+"Where will you get it?"
+
+"From my father."
+
+"And I suppose you expect me to let you go home and get it?"
+
+"If you please."
+
+"But I don't please. You must think I'm a fool. Just as if you would
+come back if you had once got away!"
+
+"But I will. I promise it on my word of honor."
+
+"Your word of honor," repeated Temple, scornfully. "As if I didn't know
+what that amounts to."
+
+Philip would have resented this imputation if he had dared, but there
+was a look of grim resolution about Temple's mouth which made him afraid
+to show any resentment.
+
+"Besides," added Temple, "what do you think I care for five dollars?
+After you have stolen thousands of dollars from me, you dare to think I
+will let you off for five dollars."
+
+There was something in this speech which, despite Philip's terror,
+attracted his attention. Temple spoke of being robbed of thousands of
+dollars, yet he was generally considered a poor outlaw. How could he
+have come into possession of so large a sum?
+
+"Thousands of dollars!" repeated Philip, in undisguised amazement.
+
+"Yes; what have you got to say about it?" demanded Temple, sharply.
+
+"I thought you were poor," Philip couldn't help saying.
+
+Temple paused a moment. He knew that the possession of so much money
+would excite surprise in others besides Philip, and he regretted his
+imprudence in speaking of thousands of dollars. As it was done, he must
+give some kind of an explanation.
+
+"So I was poor; but a rich cousin in New York died lately, and left me a
+large legacy. Not having any safe to put it in," he added, with a grim
+smile, "I concealed it in the wood, thinking it would be safe. When I
+saw you and that friend of yours prowling around this morning, it
+crossed my mind that it was in danger; but I didn't think you were
+thieves."
+
+"We are not," said Philip. "We know nothing about your tin box."
+
+"That's all very well to say. What were you doing in the wood just
+now?"
+
+"I only went there for a walk."
+
+"Of course," said Temple, with a sneer. "It's a pleasant place for a
+walk, and handy to your house."
+
+"I hope to die if I ain't telling the truth!" said Philip, desperately.
+
+"You'll die when your time comes, and it may come sooner than you think
+for," said Temple, taking a malicious pleasure in seeing Philip turn
+pale and tremble in his grasp.
+
+"You wouldn't kill me?" faltered Philip.
+
+"I don't know what I shall do. If you tell me where the box is, I
+shan't."
+
+"But I don't know--hope to die if I do."
+
+"Who was that fellow with you?" demanded Temple, abruptly.
+
+"James Congreve."
+
+"Where does he come from?"
+
+"From New York."
+
+"If you haven't stolen the box, he has. It lies between you."
+
+"James wouldn't steal it. He is a gentleman."
+
+"So gentlemen don't steal?" sneered Temple. "I am not sure about that. I
+know one thing. I've lost the box, and one of you has got it."
+
+It occurred to Temple that it was more likely to be Congreve, who was
+older and bolder than the boy he had captured, but he was not disposed
+to let Philip go, nevertheless.
+
+Again Philip denied the charge, but this time Temple did not answer.
+
+At length they reached the hut, and entered.
+
+Now came the critical moment. What was this bad man going to do with
+him? Philip asked himself.
+
+He was dragged into the hut, and then, for the first time, his captor
+relaxed his grip.
+
+"Sit down there," he said, pointing to a wooden chair, from which the
+paint had all worn off.
+
+Philip sat down.
+
+"Now, if you dare to stir or try to escape I'll kill you," said Temple,
+coolly.
+
+"What a blood-thirsty ruffian!" Philip thought, trembling.
+
+Temple opened the door of a closet, which was filled with a variety of
+articles, including a small supply of kitchen utensils.
+
+He took out a case-knife, to the horror of poor Philip, who concluded he
+was to be butchered in cold blood. Still, he did not dare to leave his
+seat, lest his jailer's threat should be carried into execution. He was
+happily undeceived, however, for from the floor of the closet Temple
+lifted a portion of a clothesline, and with some difficulty, for the
+knife was dull, cut off a portion. Then he turned to Philip.
+
+"I can't stay here to stand guard over you, boy," he said, "but I don't
+mean that you shall get away in a hurry. I think I have found a way to
+prevent your escaping."
+
+He approached the boy, and said:
+
+"Hold out your hands."
+
+"What are you going to do to me, Mr. Temple?" asked Philip, nervously.
+
+"Tie you," answered his captor, sententiously. "What do you suppose
+ropes are made for?"
+
+"Please don't tie me," said Philip, in dismay. "I won't run away."
+
+"No, I don't think you will. Hold out your hands."
+
+There was no help for it. Philip, much against his will, held out his
+hands, and they were tied tightly around the wrists, so that the
+stricture was painful.
+
+"It hurts me," he complained.
+
+"It would hurt your neck worse," replied Temple.
+
+Philip understood what he meant, and turned pale. But a ray of hope came
+to him in his despondency. Even if his hands were tied he might escape,
+and he resolved to do so as soon as Temple was at a safe distance.
+
+His hands being tied would not prevent his walking or running, and once
+out of the wood he would feel comparatively safe.
+
+He reckoned without his host, however; or, rather, he reckoned without
+knowing the intentions of his captor.
+
+"There," said Temple, when the boy's hands were tied, "so far so good!
+Now for your feet!"
+
+Hope died once more in Philip's breast. He might escape with his hands
+tied, but with his feet tied it was quite another matter. In vain he
+protested against this second indignity. His jailor was not to be
+moved.
+
+"You may as well spare your breath, boy," he said. "I ain't quite a
+fool. I'm not going to leave you free to get away as soon as my back is
+turned."
+
+So Philip's feet were tied, too, and he realized how utterly helpless he
+was.
+
+"There, you can amuse yourself now as much as you like," said Temple,
+with a humor that Philip did not by any means appreciate. "You'll have a
+nice, easy time, with nothing to do."
+
+He turned and left the hut, relieving Philip of his presence, which was
+one comfort, but did not go very far.
+
+As my readers will conclude, Philip began to work his wrists up and
+down, vainly endeavoring to unloose the rope, but only succeeded in
+hurting himself. Next he tried his feet, but they, also, were securely
+confined.
+
+It was a righteous retribution for the trick he had played on Harry
+Gilbert. He was being paid off in his own coin. Though his conscience
+was not particularly sensitive, it did occur to him that he was in
+precisely the same condition as the boy whom he and Congreve had left
+alone in the dark wood, fully expecting that he would have to remain all
+night.
+
+But even then he could not be said to feel deep regret for his unworthy
+act. He was sensible of the inconvenience to which he was subjected by
+his constrained position, and began to chafe and fret under it.
+
+"I wonder how long he's going to leave me here?" thought Philip, though,
+in truth, he hardly knew whether he wanted Temple to return or not.
+
+"Just as soon as I get away, I'll ask pa to have him arrested. I
+wouldn't mind seeing him hung."
+
+An hour passed--about the longest hour Philip had ever known. At length
+his eager ears discerned steps outside the hut. It might be a friend! At
+any rate, he would call, and perhaps the call would bring rescue.
+
+"Hello, there!" he called out. "Come in; I need help!"
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXVI
+
+             PHILIP IS FORCED TO APOLOGIZE
+
+There were two persons outside, one of whom was our hero, Harry Gilbert.
+The other, though dressed in citizen's clothes, was an officer, who had
+been sent to arrest Temple, on a charge of being implicated with Vernon
+in the robbery of the tin box.
+
+Harry at once recognized the voice of Philip, and it is needless to say
+that he was filled with genuine surprise.
+
+"That must be Philip Ross," he said, in a low voice, to the officer.
+
+"Who is Philip Ross?"
+
+Harry gave a few words of explanation. He did not, however, mention the
+mean trick which Philip had played on him.
+
+"He is not a friend of Temple?" asked the officer.
+
+"Oh, no! He must have got into some trouble with Temple. Please stay
+here, and let me go in and see what is the matter. I have a reason for
+wishing him to think I am alone, just at first."
+
+"Just as you say," returned the officer. "I take it for granted Temple
+isn't here, or the boy wouldn't have called. Suppose the man comes
+back?"
+
+"Let him come in, and you can follow. Between us, I guess we can make
+him a prisoner."
+
+"You have plenty of courage," said the officer. "Are you not afraid to
+have him come in upon you?"
+
+"Not while you are near to help me," answered Harry. "In that cabin we
+could pen him up."
+
+"That's true. Well, go in to your friend."
+
+"A queer sort of a friend Philip is," thought Harry, but he did not
+object to the title.
+
+Opening the cabin door, which Temple had closed, Harry regarded Philip
+with amazement. He could hardly believe the testimony of his eyes when
+he saw his enemy, tied hand and foot, very much as he had been the night
+before.
+
+"What's the matter, Philip?" he asked. "What has happened to you?"
+
+"Can't you see for yourself," demanded Philip, querulously. "I'm tied so
+tight I can't move."
+
+"Who did it?"
+
+"That thief, Temple! I should like to wring his neck!" said Philip,
+spitefully.
+
+Though Harry was not a vindictive boy, it did strike him as appropriate
+that Philip should have a chance to see for himself how it seemed to be
+bound. Deferring the gratification of his curiosity, he inquired:
+
+"How do you like it?"
+
+"How do I like it?" echoed Philip, furiously. "Don't ask such absurd
+questions, but come and untie me."
+
+"Wait a minute," said Harry. "Perhaps you have forgotten that this is
+the way you and Congreve served me only last night. I suppose you
+thought it a good joke. Well, Ralph Temple has played the same joke on
+you."
+
+"Joke!" repeated Philip. "He'll find out what kind of a joke it is when
+my father has him put in jail."
+
+"Do you think he deserves to be put in jail just for that?"
+
+"Yes, I do."
+
+"Then it seems to me that you and your friend Congreve deserve the same
+punishment for what you did to me."
+
+"It's entirely different; but stop talking and come and untie me."
+
+"You didn't untie me. You left me to pass the night in the forest
+alone."
+
+Philip eyed Harry attentively, and it struck him that perhaps it would
+be better to drop his haughty and domineering tone and temporize a
+little, if he wanted a rescue. He could afterward treat Harry as he
+pleased.
+
+"I didn't think you'd make so much of a little matter like that," he
+said. "It was a mistake. I didn't mean you to stay all night. Congreve
+promised to go back and untie you. Didn't he do it?"
+
+"No," answered Harry, dryly.
+
+"Then he broke his promise. Just untie me, that's a good fellow, and
+I'll make it up to you. I've got two dollars in my pocket, and you may
+have them if you'll get me out of this scrape. Be quick, for Temple may
+be coming back, and he may kill us both."
+
+"I don't want your two dollars, Philip," said Harry. "I am ready to
+release you without that----"
+
+"Quick, then; that's a good fellow."
+
+"Hear me out. I was going to say, on one condition."
+
+"What is it?" asked Philip, impatiently.
+
+"That you will beg my pardon for the trick you played on me," said
+Harry, quietly.
+
+"What! I beg your pardon?" exclaimed Philip, haughtily.
+
+"That is what I said."
+
+"Do you think I would demean myself by asking anybody's pardon?"
+demanded Philip, his pride getting the better of his prudence.
+
+"That is exactly what I expect, Philip Ross. If I had played such a mean
+trick on any one, I should think it no more than right to do just that
+thing."
+
+"No," said Philip, stubbornly; "I won't do that, but I will give you the
+two dollars."
+
+"I don't want your two dollars," returned Harry, contemptuously.
+
+Two dollars was not so large a sum in his eyes as it would have been the
+day previous, for in the last twenty-four hours he had earned, and was
+confident of receiving, a reward of two hundred and fifty dollars.
+Still, even if this had not been the case, he would have disdained to
+sell his assistance to Philip.
+
+"The money will do you a great deal more good than my asking your
+pardon," argued Philip.
+
+"No, it won't. I am not very much in need of money, but I won't help a
+boy who has acted toward me as you have, unless you will apologize."
+
+"Don't be a fool! Come and help me, and the money will be yours."
+
+"It is no use, Philip; my mind is made up. Will you apologize?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then, good-day! Give my respects to Mr. Temple when he returns."
+
+So saying, Harry turned to leave the cabin, and Philip's heart sank in
+dismay as he saw the only one from whom he could hope for help leaving
+his presence.
+
+"Hold on!" he called out. "I'll give you five dollars! I haven't got it
+with me, but I can get it from my father. I'll hand it to you
+to-morrow."
+
+Philip hated to humble his pride, and he would rather have paid five
+dollars, even if it came out of his own pocket, than submit to such a
+humiliation.
+
+"Good-by, Philip," said Harry, resolutely.
+
+"Are you really going to leave me? That's mean."
+
+"You know the condition on which I'll help you."
+
+"I'll give you ten dollars!" exclaimed Philip, desperately.
+
+"Not a cent! I won't take a cent from you! Either I will help you or
+leave you here, but no money shall pass between us."
+
+There was a calm resolution in Harry's tone which at last convinced
+Philip that he was in earnest.
+
+"What do you want me to say?" he asked, sullenly.
+
+"That you are sorry for the mean trick you played on me, and ask my
+pardon."
+
+"All right. Now untie me."
+
+"You haven't said it."
+
+"It's the same thing."
+
+"I don't consider it so."
+
+"Well, tell me what you want, then," said Philip, querulously.
+
+"Repeat after me: 'I am sorry for the mean trick I played on you, and I
+beg your pardon.'"
+
+Philip was perforce obliged to do as Harry required, and he repeated the
+words, though with a very bad grace.
+
+"That will do," said Harry. "Now I am satisfied."
+
+He felt for his knife, but did not have it with him.
+
+He therefore knelt down, and set to work to untie the knots in the
+rope.
+
+He succeeded at last, but not without considerable difficulty and the
+expenditure of not a little time. At last he loosened the last knot, and
+said:
+
+"Now you are free."
+
+Philip jumped to his feet--for these were the last to be released--with
+an exclamation of satisfaction.
+
+"Thank goodness!" he cried; "now I am free, and can leave this miserable
+hut!"
+
+He looked up, and his hopefulness was succeeded by quick dismay.
+
+There, in the doorway, scowling at the two boys, was the master of the
+cabin.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXVII
+
+                      THE ARREST
+
+Philip's face changed suddenly, and he uttered an exclamation of dismay.
+He really believed that his life was in danger.
+
+"There he is!" he ejaculated, his eyes nearly starting out of his head.
+
+Harry turned, and his glance, too, fell on the menacing face of the
+outlaw. But his face did not reflect the terror so plainly to be seen on
+Philip's. It should be remembered, however--for I do not wish to give
+our hero more credit than he really deserves for his courage--that he
+knew help was near at hand, and Philip didn't.
+
+Ralph Temple didn't speak at first. Then he looked from Philip to Harry,
+and demanded, savagely:
+
+"Who released that boy?"
+
+"I did," answered Harry, undaunted.
+
+"How dared you do it!" again demanded Temple, in the same tone.
+
+"I thought he must be uncomfortable."
+
+Temple looked at him as if puzzled to account for his cool courage. It
+was evident that here was a boy who would not be easily scared.
+
+"Did you know that I tied him?" asked Temple, fiercely.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And yet you dared to untie him?"
+
+"Certainly. You had no business to tie him."
+
+"What! you dare say this to my face?"
+
+"Why shouldn't I? What did you tie him for?"
+
+"Didn't he tell you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then I will, though it's none of your business. He stole my property."
+
+"Did you do that, Philip?" asked Harry, who was not yet aware of
+Temple's suspicion.
+
+"No; I hope to die. I did not!" answered Philip, solemnly.
+
+"What does he say that you stole?" continued Harry.
+
+"He says I stole a tin box, containing some bonds or something."
+
+"I begin to understand," thought Harry. "Philip is suffering for what I
+have done. I must free him, if I can.
+
+"Was the box in the cabin?" he asked, not considering it prudent to
+betray all that he knew.
+
+"No; it was buried in the earth, out in the woods," said Philip.
+
+"That's true," said Temple, with an oath. "It was all the property I
+had."
+
+"It's a queer place to keep articles of value," said Harry, looking
+steadily at Temple.
+
+"I shall keep my own property where I please," said Temple, doggedly.
+"You don't suppose I'd keep it here in this hut. It wouldn't be safe for
+twenty-four hours."
+
+"Did you see Philip take it?" continued Harry, assuming, unconsciously,
+the tone of a judge or advocate.
+
+"No; but I saw him prowling round near-by, and the earth had been
+disturbed. As for the tin box, that was gone, and he stays here till it
+is found."
+
+As he spoke he approached Philip, to tie him anew.
+
+"Oh, please don't tie me again, Mr. Temple!" pleaded the terrified boy.
+"Indeed, I didn't carry off your tin box. I didn't know you had any."
+
+"Perhaps the box dug itself up and walked off," said Temple, with
+withering sarcasm. "You must think I am a fool. Somebody dug it up, and
+knows where it is now."
+
+"It wasn't me."
+
+"At any rate, it won't do any harm to tie you up until I find out more
+about it."
+
+Temple picked up the rope which Harry had thrown on the floor, and was
+about to repeat his work, when Philip exclaimed, partly from the
+instinct of self-preservation, partly to gratify his mean spite against
+Harry:
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if Harry Gilbert carried it off himself. He was
+prowling about the wood yesterday."
+
+Harry could hardly believe his ears. This boy who accused him was the
+one he had just released from his bonds.
+
+He looked at Philip, his face expressing the contempt he felt.
+
+"I suppose this is to pay me for untying you?" he said.
+
+"I can't help it; I am sure you did it," persisted Philip, thinking what
+a fine thing it would be for Harry to change places with him. "I am
+rich, and I have no need to steal. You are poor, and, I dare say, would
+like to get hold of Mr. Temple's bonds."
+
+Temple paused a moment, and then said:
+
+"The boy may be right. I'll tie both of you. One of you knows something
+about it, or I'm mistaken."
+
+Philip's face fell. He had hoped to get free himself. It would be some
+satisfaction for him to see the boy he hated in the same plight, but
+still he would rather go free.
+
+"Tie him first," he said.
+
+It occurred to him that while Harry was being tied he might slip away.
+
+"I know my own business best, youngster," said Temple.
+
+And he made Philip sit down again in the chair from which he had been
+released.
+
+"Don't you dare leave the cabin, unless you want to be brought back," he
+said to Harry. "Your turn will come next."
+
+Harry did not answer, but coughed. It was the signal agreed upon between
+him and the officer outside.
+
+Temple was on his knees beside Philip's chair, tying the boy, with his
+back toward the door. He listened to hear whether our hero made any
+attempt to escape, being prepared to pursue and bring him back by
+force.
+
+He heard a slight motion, and looked around quickly.
+
+There in the doorway stood a stranger, quietly covering him with a
+revolver.
+
+Temple jumped to his feet, in surprise and alarm.
+
+"Who are you?" he demanded.
+
+"I am an officer of the law, Ralph Temple, and I call upon you to
+surrender," said the stranger, coolly.
+
+"An officer? I don't believe it. Where is your uniform?"
+
+"I had my reasons for not wearing it. Do you surrender?"
+
+"Why should I? What do you want of me?" asked the outlaw, uneasily.
+
+"I want you for the theft of a tin box of bonds, taken from an office in
+New York."
+
+"I know nothing about it," said Temple, hastily.
+
+"That is too late! I have heard you charge that boy with stealing it
+from you. You admitted that you had concealed it in the wood."
+
+"That was my own property. I have been robbed of it."
+
+"You will have a chance to prove that in a court of law."
+
+"I'll do that, if you'll let me alone."
+
+"I have orders to arrest you."
+
+"Then you'll have to show that you are a stronger man than I!" exclaimed
+Temple, with an oath, and he prepared to dash forward.
+
+"Stay where you are, or I fire!" said the officer, sternly.
+
+Temple looked in his eyes, and saw that he was dealing with a man of
+resolution. He knew something of faces, and he saw that this man would
+be as good as his word.
+
+"What do you want of me?" he said, sullenly.
+
+"You must go with me."
+
+"Lead on, then. I'll follow."
+
+"I must adopt a little prudential measure first, Harry, take these
+handcuffs."
+
+Harry stepped forward and received them from the officer.
+
+"Hold out your hands"--this was said to Temple--"and let this boy put on
+the handcuffs."
+
+"I'll kill him before I'll allow him to do it!" exclaimed Temple,
+violently.
+
+"I don't think you will, or even make the attempt," said the officer,
+quietly. "You forget that I hold your life in my hands," and he made a
+slight motion with the revolver.
+
+"You wouldn't dare to shoot?"
+
+"If you should prove to be mistaken, it would be a serious mistake,"
+said the officer, quietly.
+
+It was his very quietness and freedom from excitement that daunted
+Temple.
+
+"You'll repent this!" he said. "You've got the whip hand on me now, but
+the time will come when I'll get even with you."
+
+"I have been threatened before," said the officer, briefly. "Harry, do
+what I told you."
+
+Temple sullenly held out his wrists, and Harry put on the handcuffs.
+
+"Now, follow me!"
+
+They went out of the cabin, Philip following. He tried to be social with
+Harry, but our hero had not forgotten his mean attempt to throw
+suspicion upon him, after a service received at his hands, and received
+his advances very coldly.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+            MR. CHASE IS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE
+
+Temple's manner was sullen as he walked beside Harry and the officer,
+handcuffed. He overcame his sullenness, after a while, so far as to
+inquire:
+
+"How came you to suspect me of this robbery?"
+
+"Your friend Vernon has confessed it," answered the officer. "You may as
+well know, for it will do no harm."
+
+"So he betrayed me?" said Temple, bitterly.
+
+"He had no choice. He was trapped himself."
+
+"Where is he now?"
+
+"In prison, awaiting trial."
+
+Temple looked better satisfied. He had suspected Vernon of turning
+State's evidence and betraying him.
+
+"But how was he found out?" he asked, after a pause.
+
+"The night you hid the tin box in the wood, there was some one who saw
+all that passed."
+
+"Who was that?" asked Temple, eagerly.
+
+"You will know in due time."
+
+"Where are you taking me now?"
+
+"To the county jail."
+
+"Where is the tin box?"
+
+"In the hands of the man from whom you stole it, There, I have answered
+your questions, and have no more to say."
+
+"What do you think will be done with me?" asked Temple, anxiously.
+
+The officer shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Gentlemen of your profession," he said, "are generally well informed on
+that point. If found guilty, you will be boarded at the expense of the
+county for a term of years."
+
+"Curse the luck!" uttered Temple, savagely, and then was silent.
+
+Philip had left them, and was on his way home, glad to get out of his
+predicament, but more incensed than ever against Harry for the
+mortification he had put upon him in compelling him to beg his pardon.
+
+"I'll get even with him, see if I don't," he muttered.
+
+When Harry and the officer had lodged their prisoner in jail, the latter
+said:
+
+"I nearly forgot to tell you that Mr. Wheeler wishes you to call at his
+office to-morrow."
+
+"In the morning?"
+
+"As you please."
+
+"I think I will go up by the morning train," said Harry, after a little
+reflection.
+
+"Then you will be likely to meet me on the train. I shall be a
+passenger."
+
+"I will look for you. I shall be glad to have company."
+
+"By the way, that was very creditable work of yours, ferreting out the
+bond robbers."
+
+"I was lucky, that is all," answered Harry, modestly.
+
+"Partly so, but you have showed excellent judgment throughout, and
+personal bravery."
+
+"Don't flatter me, Mr. Pry. You may make me conceited."
+
+"You ought to be one of us."
+
+"I don't think I should like it," said Harry, slowly.
+
+"Perhaps not, but you're fitted for it, for all that. Well, good-day. I
+shall see you to-morrow."
+
+"You are getting to be an important business man, Harry," said Uncle
+Obed, when our hero announced that he had a summons to the city next
+day.
+
+"What is it all about, Harry?" asked his mother, rather puzzled.
+
+"Let the boy explain in his own good time, Mrs. Gilbert," said the old
+man. "I know he isn't in any mischief."
+
+"I may be able to tell you to-morrow evening, mother. It will be
+something that will surprise you."
+
+"I suppose it is all right, Harry, as Mr. Wilkins says so."
+
+"Yes, mother, I can assure you of that."
+
+In due time Harry boarded the morning train. He looked through the cars
+till he found Mr. Pry, the detective, and took a seat beside him.
+
+It was not long before his attention was called to a smooth, plausible
+voice, proceeding from a person who sat two seats in advance of the one
+he occupied.
+
+"My dear sir, if it will be any accommodation to you, I will myself buy
+your bond, and pay you the market price."
+
+There was something in the voice, and in the words, that attracted
+Harry's attention and excited his suspicions.
+
+"Excuse me a moment," he said to the detective, and, passing through the
+aisle, reached a point where he could look back at the speaker.
+
+He knew him at once, not only by his face, but by the profusion of rings
+upon his fingers. It was the same man that had cheated the poor farmer
+by giving him counterfeit money in payment for his coupons.
+
+If, however, he had any doubt, it was set at rest by what followed.
+
+"I don't know," said his seat companion, an industrious mechanic;
+"perhaps I'd better wait, and sell it in the city."
+
+"As you please, my friend," said the young man. "I only made the
+proposal thinking I might accommodate you."
+
+"Is that your business--buying bonds?" asked the mechanic.
+
+"In the city, yes. I am a member of the well-known firm of Chase &
+Atkins. Of course, you have heard of them."
+
+"Ye-es," answered the mechanic, doubtfully.
+
+"I am Mr. Chase. We do a general banking and brokerage business. Let me
+see, what is the denomination of your bond?"
+
+"Eh?"
+
+"I mean, of what size? Is it a fifty, or a hundred?"
+
+"It's only a fifty, sir. It was a present to my wife. Now she wants to
+use a little money, and so she has got me to sell it."
+
+"We give rather higher prices than most brokers," said Chase, smoothly.
+
+"How can you do that?" asked the mechanic, who was a man of good common
+sense.
+
+"Well, you see, we ship 'em to Europe, and make a handsome profit. It
+would be for your advantage to sell to me; but you must act your own
+will."
+
+The mechanic began to think more favorably of the proposal, and asked
+one or two more questions. Finally he said:
+
+"Well, I don't know but I might as well. Have you got money enough with
+you?"
+
+Chase took out a plethoric pocketbook, stuffed with bills, and called
+attention to it, smilingly:
+
+"We bankers always have to be well provided with money."
+
+The mechanic looked respectfully at the owner of so much money.
+
+"I dare say it's more than I could earn in a year," he said.
+
+"I dare say you are right, my friend," said the young man.
+
+"Very well. Count out the money, and the bond is yours."
+
+The exchange was made, and both parties seemed well satisfied.
+
+Chase deposited the bond in an inside pocket and then, saying,
+carelessly, "I'll go into the smoking car for a few minutes," rose from
+his seat.
+
+But in the meantime Harry had returned to his own seat, and whispered a
+few words in the ear of the detective.
+
+The latter sharply scrutinized the young man who called himself Chase,
+and said, in a low voice:
+
+"I know him now. He's an old offender. I thought there was something
+familiar in his appearance. I'll look after you, my fine fellow."
+
+He waited till the exchange had been effected, and the young man was on
+the point of leaving the car.
+
+Then he rose, and, hurrying forward, placed his hand on the young man's
+shoulder.
+
+"A word with you, sir," he said.
+
+"Really, sir, I don't remember you."
+
+"Perhaps not. I remember you. Do me the favor to return that bond to the
+man from whom you obtained it."
+
+"It is mine. I have paid for it."
+
+"With counterfeit money."
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Chase; but there was a sudden
+pallor on his face and a tremor in his voice.
+
+"That will do, Jimmy Neal. I told you I knew you. That is an old trick
+of yours."
+
+"Who are you?" asked the detected swindler, in a faltering voice.
+
+"Pry, the detective."
+
+"Will you let me go if I restore this bond?"
+
+"No; there is another case I must inquire into--that of a farmer from
+whom you bought some coupons a day or two since, paying him in the same
+worthless rags. Sit down here," pointing to a vacant seat. "You may
+consider yourself under arrest."
+
+Great was the consternation of the mechanic when he learned how nearly
+he had been swindled, and profuse were his thanks to Harry and the
+officer.
+
+"Be more prudent the next time," said the latter, "and don't sell bonds
+to a stranger in the cars again."
+
+We may as well add that the traveling broker was duly tried, and
+sentenced to a term in State's prison, and that enough good money was
+found on him to repay the farmer for the coupons he had imprudently
+parted with.
+
+Greatly to his satisfaction, Harry was intrusted with the office of
+acquainting Simon Jones with the pleasant fact that his money would be
+restored to him.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXIX
+
+             HARRY BECOMES A "BONDHOLDER."
+
+When Harry entered the office of Mr. Wheeler, the lawyer was engaged
+with a client. He nodded pleasantly to our hero, and said:
+
+"I shall be at leisure very soon. You will find the morning paper on
+that table."
+
+When his interview with the client was over, he beckoned to Harry to
+approach.
+
+"Well," he said, "thanks to your good management, we have triumphantly
+succeeded. The stolen property is recovered, and the thieves are in
+custody."
+
+"It was not so much good management as good luck," said Harry.
+
+"Partly both; but, however that may be, the owner of the property
+authorizes me to make a substantial acknowledgment for the service you
+have rendered him. Let me see--the reward offered was two hundred and
+fifty dollars."
+
+"That's too much, sir."
+
+"The gentleman who gives it does not think so. Indeed, he authorizes me
+to somewhat exceed it. In this envelope"--here the lawyer produced a
+large-size package--"you will find two one-hundred-dollar government
+bonds and one fifty. The value of the three, at present prices, is
+nearer three hundred dollars than two hundred and fifty. I need not
+caution you to take good care of them."
+
+"Are they for me?" asked Harry, his cheeks flushing with pleasure.
+
+"Yes; they are six per cent. bonds, and will bring you fifteen dollars a
+year in interest--not quite enough to live upon," the lawyer added, with
+a smile, "but something to add to your income."
+
+"I can hardly realize that I am worth so much money," said Harry, as he
+took the package and put it into his inside coat pocket.
+
+"Have you a watch?" asked Mr. Wheeler.
+
+"No, sir," replied Harry, in surprise.
+
+"I thought not; and I, therefore, ask you to accept one as a gift, not
+from my client, but from me."
+
+He produced a handsome silver watch, manufactured at Waltham, with a
+silver chain attached.
+
+Now, Harry had long wanted a watch, but the prospect of obtaining one
+before he was of age had seemed very remote. At the moment, I think, the
+present of the watch gratified him as much as that of the bonds, though
+the latter were ten times as valuable.
+
+"It is beautiful," he said; "but, Mr. Wheeler, why should you give me a
+present? The bonds were not yours."
+
+"That is true, but they were under my charge, and I should have been
+seriously troubled had they not been recovered. Take the watch, my boy,
+and I hope it will please you as much to receive it as it does me to
+give it."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Harry, warmly. "It seems to me there is no end to
+my good fortune."
+
+"Continue to deserve it, my boy, and I think it will continue. I must
+bid you good-morning now, as I have another appointment."
+
+"Good-morning, sir, and thank you."
+
+"By the way," the lawyer added, "I shall bear you in mind, and, should I
+have any work which I think you can do, I will send for you."
+
+"I shall be glad to serve you in any way, sir."
+
+So saying, Harry left the office. He was so much in a hurry to show his
+present at home that, though it was still early, he decided to take the
+next train, which would bring him home about noon.
+
+His mother and Mr. Wilkins had just seated themselves at the dinner
+table when Harry entered.
+
+"What! home already, Harry?" asked his mother, in surprise.
+
+"I judge from your tone, mother, that you haven't got enough dinner for
+me," said Harry, gayly.
+
+"If that's the case, I'll eat a little less," said Uncle Obed. "But why
+didn't you stay longer?"
+
+"Because I got through with my business, and thought I might as well
+come home," answered Harry.
+
+By this time his mother's eyes happened to fall on the silver chain
+displayed across his vest.
+
+"What is that, Harry?" she asked.
+
+Harry drew out the watch, with pardonable pride.
+
+"Where did you get it?" asked his mother, in amazement.
+
+"A lawyer in New York gave it to me."
+
+"But what lawyer do you know, my son?" asked his mother, more and more
+bewildered.
+
+"That isn't all, mother. Look at that!"
+
+Harry drew out the package of bonds, and displayed them to his
+astonished mother.
+
+She at once concluded that he had found them.
+
+"They are not yours, Harry," she said. "If you found them, you must
+restore them to the owner."
+
+"So I will, Mrs. Gilbert. I give these bonds to you, and recommend you
+to take good care of them."
+
+"What does all this mean, Harry? You cannot give away what does not
+belong to you."
+
+Harry felt that it was time to explain, and he did so. It was necessary
+to begin with the account of Philip's treatment of him in the wood.
+
+Mrs. Gilbert was very indignant, and she spoke warmly.
+
+"It was shameful!" she said. "To leave you there alone in the dark wood,
+tied hand and foot! The boy ought to be served in the same way
+himself!"
+
+"Wait till I get through my story, mother," he said, "and perhaps you
+will find that Philip got into a little trouble of his own."
+
+So he continued his story, and told, finally, of how he found Philip
+Ross bound, and trembling for his life, in the cabin of Ralph Temple.
+
+"Served him right," said Mrs. Gilbert, satisfactorily.
+
+"As things have turned out, I can afford to overlook his past meanness.
+He has suffered punishment, though not at my hands."
+
+"If I had known that you were mixed up with burglars, I should have felt
+very anxious, Harry."
+
+"I know it, and that is why I didn't tell you. However, all's well that
+ends well. The tin box is found, the robbers are caught, and I have a
+rich mother."
+
+As he spoke, he put the bonds into his mother's hands.
+
+"But, Harry, they are yours. I cannot accept them."
+
+"Take care of them, at any rate, mother, and use the interest. I shall
+like it better than to keep them myself."
+
+"You are a good boy, Harry," said Uncle Obed. "I like to see boys think
+considerable of their mothers. And now, if you are both ready for
+dinner, I am."
+
+"Excuse me, Mr. Wilkins. I was so intent upon Harry's story that I am
+afraid the dinner is cold."
+
+They sat down to dinner, and the meal was a very happy one, even if the
+dishes were somewhat cold. Harry's good luck put them all in fine
+spirits.
+
+After dinner Harry went out into the village, in the direction of the
+store.
+
+I suspect he wanted to show his watch, as most boys do when for the
+first time they become the proud possessor of one.
+
+On the way he met Philip Ross and James Congreve. The latter he had not
+seen since they parted in the wood.
+
+"There's our young captive, Philip," said Congreve.
+
+"He's got a watch. At any rate, I see a watch chain," said Philip, whose
+curiosity was excited.
+
+"Hello!" called out Congreve, as they met; "where did you get that
+watch?"
+
+"I don't see wherein my having a watch should concern you; but I do
+know, after the contemptible treatment I received at your hands
+yesterday, your questions deserve no notice from me. But, as matters
+turned out so well, I can afford to swallow my indignation."
+
+"It was rather a mean trick, leaving you bound in the wood," said
+Congreve, candidly. "I wouldn't have done it, except to oblige Philip."
+
+"Has he told you how he liked being tied himself?"
+
+Congreve looked, in surprise, at Philip. The latter had not chosen to
+say anything about his own adventure in Temple's hut.
+
+When Harry told the story, not omitting to mention that he had compelled
+Philip to beg his pardon before he released him, Congreve burst into
+hearty laughter, while Philip stood by, angry and ashamed.
+
+"That's the best joke I ever heard," said Congreve. "I wish I had been
+there to see."
+
+"I thought you were my friend," said Philip, indignantly.
+
+"I laugh at my friends sometimes," said Congreve. "What a splendid
+joke!"
+
+Philip didn't see it in that light, and was so mortified that he didn't
+give Congreve an opportunity to ask further about the watch, but
+hurriedly moved on. All the remainder of the afternoon he passed in a
+sullen frame of mind.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXX
+
+                   CONGREVE'S SCHEME
+
+James Congreve was a dangerous companion for Philip. He was utterly
+unscrupulous, but took care to keep up a semblance of propriety, in
+order not to terrify the boy whom he was leading into mischief.
+
+They had commenced playing cards for amusement--at least, that was
+Congreve's pretext--but it had led to playing for a stake.
+
+Occasionally, when the stake was small, Congreve allowed Philip to win;
+but, when more than a dollar was staked on the game, he generally
+managed to win himself.
+
+Of course, Philip did not know that he was a victim, and that his chosen
+friend, Congreve, was a skillful sharper, who had practiced his art on
+Western steamboats, and was sure to get the better of him.
+
+Why had he remained in this country village so long? Surely, it didn't
+pay him to fleece one victim, and that one a boy.
+
+I can give the explanation.
+
+He had been leading a fast life for a year back, and a physician whom he
+consulted had recommended country air and quiet for the summer.
+
+"Unless you follow my directions, Mr. Congreve," he said, "I won't
+answer for your life. You have been going at too quick a pace
+altogether."
+
+James was sensible enough to follow this advice, and that is why we find
+him a guest at the quiet village hotel.
+
+The physician's advice proved to be good. His wasted energies were
+recuperated, his thin cheeks filled out and showed a healthy color, his
+appetite improved, and he felt himself again.
+
+When the first week in September arrived, he felt that he was well
+enough to go back to the city, to more congenial scenes. He was heartily
+tired of the country, and anxious to get away. Only one thing remained
+to be done, and that was to collect what Philip owed him.
+
+"I can't wait any longer," he said to himself. "I must compel the boy to
+pay up. It will liquidate my hotel bill and leave me something over. I
+can't let the thing stand any longer."
+
+Soon after he had come to this conclusion, Philip entered his friend's
+chamber.
+
+"How are you, Phil?" said Congreve, carelessly.
+
+"All right!"
+
+"By the way, I've got some news for you."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I'm going away."
+
+"Going away? Where?"
+
+"Back to the city first. I have an urgent summons from my friends
+there."
+
+"How soon do you go?"
+
+"That depends upon you."
+
+"Upon me? I don't understand!" said Philip, puzzled.
+
+"You ought to. As soon as you have paid me what you owe me. I need it to
+enable me to settle up at the hotel."
+
+Philip turned pale. It was just what he had worried over many a
+time--this terrible debt, which he felt utterly unable to liquidate.
+
+"How much is it?" he asked, nervously.
+
+"How much? Really, I haven't reckoned it up yet; but I will," said
+Congreve, carelessly.
+
+He took out his wallet, and drew out a variety of papers, to which
+Philip's signature was attached.
+
+Then he sat down at a table, took a pencil from his pocket, set the
+different sums on paper, and added them up deliberately. All this was
+humbug, for he had added it up before Philip came in, and knew to a
+dollar how much it amounted to. Philip stood by, feeling miserably
+uncomfortable, while the reckoning went on.
+
+"Really," said Congreve, looking up at length, in assumed surprise, "I
+had no idea it amounted to so much!"
+
+"How much does it come to?" questioned his wretched dupe.
+
+"One hundred and thirty-six dollars," was the calm response.
+
+"A hundred and thirty-six dollars!" gasped Philip.
+
+"Yes; surprising, isn't it? Little sums count up, you know. However,
+we've had some fun out of it, haven't we?"
+
+"I don't see where the fun comes in," said Philip, bitterly. "Of course,
+it's fun for you to win so much."
+
+"You won some of the time, Phil. Think how many games we have had, and
+how exciting it was. You play a good deal better game than you did."
+
+"But I have lost a big pile of money."
+
+"Oh, yes. Experience costs money, you know. You'll get it all back, and
+more, too, some day."
+
+"How can I, when you are going away?"
+
+"I don't mean out of me. I suppose my game is better than yours. I mean
+out of somebody else."
+
+Philip was silent. The hope held out did not seem to comfort him much.
+
+"When will you pay me that money, Phil?" asked Congreve, abruptly.
+
+"When? I'm sure I don't know. I haven't any money, you know."
+
+"That won't do. It isn't satisfactory," said Congreve, assuming a
+sternness he had never before exhibited toward his friend.
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Philip, half frightened, half offended.
+
+"I mean that I need the money, and must have it."
+
+"I'd pay it to you if I had it, but I haven't."
+
+"You must get it."
+
+"How can I? My father won't give it to me."
+
+"Listen to me. I am in earnest. I want to ask you a question. Suppose
+you had won, wouldn't you have expected me to pay you?"
+
+"Why, yes, I suppose so."
+
+"Well, it's a poor rule that doesn't work both ways. I tell you, Phil, I
+need that money. I need it to pay my hotel bill."
+
+"Was that what you depended upon to pay your bills?" asked Philip, with
+awakening suspicion. "I thought you had plenty of money."
+
+This was what Congreve had represented to his dupe, but the question by
+no means disconcerted him.
+
+"Of course," he said; "but a man can't always command his resources. I
+have sent in two different directions for money, but they have put me
+off, so I have to fall back on you."
+
+"I'd like to pay the money, and get it off my mind," said Philip,
+uncomfortably, "but the fact of it is I can't."
+
+"This is a debt of honor. Gentlemen always pay their debts of honor. It
+takes precedence of all other claims."
+
+"I have no other claims. That is all I owe to anybody."
+
+"Well, when can you let me have the money?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know," returned Philip, sullenly. "I didn't expect
+you were going to press me so."
+
+James Congreve saw that Philip had reached the point which he desired.
+
+"I press you because I have to," he said. "I have already told you how
+you can settle the claim."
+
+"How?" asked Philip, uneasily.
+
+He could guess, for there had been conversation on that point before.
+
+"You know what I mean. Get hold of some of your father's government
+bonds," said Congreve, insinuatingly.
+
+"I don't want to become a thief."
+
+"Pooh! Isn't he your father, and ain't you an only son? Won't it all be
+yours sometime?"
+
+"Yes, but----"
+
+"Oh, don't bother with buts! That makes all the difference in the
+world."
+
+"I couldn't do it without being suspected," objected Philip, with whom
+this was the principal consideration.
+
+"Yes, you can. You'll give the bonds to me, and I will dispose of them.
+If you could get hold of two hundred-dollar bonds, I would give you the
+balance, after deducting the amount of my debt."
+
+"But I am sure to be suspected."
+
+"Unless you throw the suspicion upon some one else."
+
+"How can I?"
+
+"There's your friend, Harry Gilbert----"
+
+"He isn't my friend."
+
+"Well, your enemy, then. So much the better. You can say you saw him
+prowling round the house. If you could get him arrested, it would be a
+satisfaction, even if he wasn't convicted."
+
+"That's true. I should like to get even with him."
+
+"So you can. You can throw suspicion on him, and get off free yourself.
+It will be a splendid revenge."
+
+Philip began to think favorably of the scheme, arid before he left the
+hotel had agreed to it.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXXI
+
+                      THE TEMPTER
+
+Philip was far from being a model boy--as we have seen, he didn't shrink
+from meanness--but it was not without reluctance that he assented to
+James Congreve's proposal. He did not feel that abhorrence of theft that
+a better principled boy would have done, but the thought of resorting to
+it gave him a sense of humiliation. Besides, the fear of detection
+inspired in him a certain uneasy feeling. In fact, he retraced his
+steps, and sought Congreve in his room again.
+
+"What! back again?" asked James, in surprise.
+
+"Yes," replied Philip. "I've changed my mind. I don't want to do what
+you proposed to me."
+
+"Don't want to do it?" repeated Congreve, frowning. "What nonsense is
+this?"
+
+"No nonsense at all," retorted Philip, not liking his friend's tone. "I
+don't want to be a thief."
+
+"You won't be. It's all in the family, you know."
+
+"What if it is? Father won't take that view of it."
+
+"That won't matter to you."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because he won't know you took the bonds. You're not going to tell
+him."
+
+"He may find out."
+
+"Look here, Phil. You're the biggest coward I ever met!"
+
+"If you think so, suppose you do it yourself," said Philip. "That'll
+show whether you are a coward or not."
+
+"That's absurd. It wouldn't be in the family then. The bonds don't
+belong to my father. There wouldn't be any excuse for me."
+
+"You want me to do what you are unwilling to do."
+
+"You already explained why. Besides, I've no object in taking them. As
+for you, why they are part yours already; and, besides, you need the
+money you can raise out of them to pay your debts."
+
+"I haven't any debts, except to you."
+
+"So much the better for you," answered Congreve, coolly. "You won't have
+any one to pay except me."
+
+"I wish I'd never made your acquaintance," said poor Philip.
+
+"Very complimentary, upon my word!" replied Congreve, with a sneer. "It
+strikes me that you have got as much pleasure out of the acquaintance as
+I."
+
+"I haven't got you into my debt."
+
+"It isn't my fault if I am a better player at cards than you. However,
+that's neither here nor there. I don't propose to play any more with
+you. I ought not to have let you run up such a score. Just pay that off,
+and I won't trouble you any more."
+
+"I've told you I can't pay you."
+
+"Except in one way, and that way is an easy enough one. Listen to
+reason, Phil," he said, dropping his sneer. "Don't you see it is going
+to benefit you as well as me? You'll have a good deal of money left for
+your own use, after paying me, provided you take two hundred-dollar
+bonds. It will be convenient to have fifty or sixty dollars in your
+pocket, eh?'
+
+"Yes," assented Philip, more cheerfully.
+
+"Of course it will, and it will be fun to see Harry Gilbert hauled up
+for stealing them. Ho! ho! ho!"
+
+Philip echoed the laughter. This phase of the transaction certainly did
+please him.
+
+"If it can be brought about," he said, doubtfully.
+
+"Of course it can. Listen, and I'll tell you how. You can tell your
+father you saw Harry acting suspiciously near the house the evening it
+is done."
+
+"But the door would be locked."
+
+"You can unlock it, and leave it unlocked all night. It will be found so
+in the morning; and, even if the bonds are not immediately missed, the
+circumstance will be remembered."
+
+Philip's mind changed again. The plan looked more feasible and
+attractive as Congreve represented it.
+
+"Well, I don't know but I'll try it," he said.
+
+"I thought you'd be sensible," said Congreve, inwardly rejoiced. "Now,
+let me give you one piece of advice."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Strike while the iron's hot. If you want to know what that means, never
+put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day."
+
+"You don't mean I should go right home and do it?" said Philip,
+nervously.
+
+"No; wait till to-night--when everybody is in bed. Then steal downstairs
+and do the job. The sooner it's over, the better!"
+
+"I'll see about it," replied Philip, hesitatingly.
+
+"He's a little coward," said Congreve to himself; "but I guess I can
+bring him to it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+PHILIP DOES NOT FEEL HAPPY
+
+At supper time Philip seemed so sober and preoccupied that his mother
+said:
+
+"What ails you, Philip?"
+
+"Nothing. What makes you ask?"
+
+"I thought you were looking unusually sober."
+
+"I suppose it is because I have a headache," answered the boy.
+
+It was not a falsehood, for the burden upon his mind had actually given
+him a slight headache.
+
+"You'd better let me mix you some chamomile tea," said Mrs. Ross, with
+whom this was a specific against more than one bodily disability.
+
+"No, thank you," answered Philip, with an involuntary grimace; for, in
+his younger days, when it was useless to resist, he had more than once
+had an opportunity of learning how far from agreeable chamomile tea was
+to the taste. "It doesn't ache much. It will be better soon."
+
+"The tea will cure you immediately, my son."
+
+"I won't take it," said Philip, roughly.
+
+"Don't speak in that way to your mother, Philip," said his father,
+reprovingly.
+
+"Do you ever let her give you chamomile tea, father?"
+
+"No," smiled the Colonel, "I don't require it."
+
+"Nor I; and, if I did, I prefer the headache."
+
+"I am not sure whether I don't agree with you," said his father, smiling
+again.
+
+When supper was over, Philip lounged about restlessly. Nothing could be
+done as yet--nothing, indeed, till his father had retired and was fairly
+asleep--and, in the meantime, he had to wait in suspense.
+
+He strolled out to the stable without any definite object to take him
+there. He was in an unquiet, irritable frame of mind, which was likely
+to exhibit itself on the smallest provocation.
+
+A boy of seventeen, Tom Calder by name, was employed by Colonel Ross to
+look after his two horses and attend to any errands or light duties that
+might be required about the house.
+
+Philip, as he entered the stable, saw Tom sitting on a kitchen chair,
+which had been transferred to the stable, engaged in reading a weekly
+paper.
+
+"What are you doing there, Tom?" he demanded, in an imperious tone.
+
+If Philip had asked in a civil tone, Tom would have answered him with
+civility, but the boy's tone was offensive, and Tom was too spirited to
+bear it.
+
+"What's that to you, Phil?" he retorted.
+
+"You'll find out what it is!" answered Philip, angrily.
+
+"That's just what I'm wanting to do."
+
+"And don't you presume to call me Phil, either."
+
+"Why--isn't it your name?"
+
+"Yes; but it isn't for you to call me by it."
+
+"What am I to call you, now?"
+
+"You can call me Master Philip, or Mr. Philip."
+
+"Ho! ho! It's a joke you're playing on me!"
+
+"No, it isn't. It is your duty to treat me with respect. But you haven't
+answered my question."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"What are you doing there?"
+
+"Reading a paper. Can't you see for yourself?"
+
+"That isn't what my father pays you for. Go right to work."
+
+"Shure, you want me to work day and night! That's what Tom Calder won't
+do for no man last of all for a boy like you!"
+
+"If you ain't careful, my father will send you away."
+
+"If he does, I'll get another place soon," said Tom, indifferently.
+
+"You're an impudent loafer!"
+
+"The same to yourself," said Tom, indifferently.
+
+After a little further altercation, Philip walked off in dudgeon. It was
+clear that he couldn't bully Tom.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+                  STEALING THE BONDS
+
+Contrary to his usual custom, Philip spent the evening at home; and, as
+he must have something to occupy him, he spent it in reading. Usually,
+he cared very little for reading, and was prone to spend the evening
+out.
+
+Mrs. Ross regarded her son with approval, as she saw him steadily
+reading all the evening.
+
+"I do believe you're getting studious, Phil," she said.
+
+"I'm interested in a story," remarked Phil.
+
+"How much better it is to spend the evening at home reading than to be
+gadding about?" said his mother.
+
+"Well, you know a boy can't be always reading," observed Philip.
+
+If Mrs. Ross had been a close observer, she might have noticed that
+Philip got over wonderfully few pages. Indeed, he sometimes held the
+book open at the same place for half an hour together. The fact was that
+Philip cared very little for reading, unless he could get hold of some
+highly sensational story about highwaymen or pirates. He simply used the
+book as a cover.
+
+The Colonel, his father, was sitting in a room which he called his
+office, opening out of the family sitting-room, and Philip had seated
+himself so that he could look into that room, and watch what his father
+was doing.
+
+Near his desk, Colonel Ross kept a small, iron-bound trunk, which he
+used as a sort of safe, or a repository for valuable papers, and
+sometimes for bonds and securities. It was imprudent, for anyone might
+readily have carried it off; but the Colonel didn't think of this, or,
+at any rate, didn't feel inclined to go to the expense of a safe.
+Indeed, most of his bonds and securities were deposited in the strong
+room of the county bank, and, therefore, his imprudence was less.
+
+Philip's eager attention was roused when he saw his father rise from his
+desk, take up the trunk and open it, as it lay on the desk where he
+placed it.
+
+"Now, I may find out what he has inside," thought Philip.
+
+Colonel Ross opened it, as I have said, and took out several envelopes.
+Opening one of these, he drew therefrom what Philip recognized to be
+government bonds, and spread them out before him.
+
+What was the object of this examination, Philip could not divine, nor
+did he particularly care, though he might had he known that his father
+was considering the expediency of selling them, and buying another
+security--the stock of a certain railroad--which would pay larger
+dividends. His main interest was to ascertain whether his father had any
+government bonds, and this question he was now able to answer in the
+affirmative.
+
+After a brief inspection, Colonel Ross replaced in the trunk the
+securities he had taken from it, and locked the trunk. The bunch of
+keys, one of which opened the trunk, he laid on the desk, unconsciously,
+probably.
+
+"I hope he'll forget 'em," said Philip to himself. "It'll save me a good
+bit of trouble."
+
+It seemed likely that the keys would be forgotten, for Colonel Ross, as
+though his business were ended, took the lamp from his desk, and entered
+the sitting-room, where his wife and son were seated.
+
+"I don't know how it is, wife," he said, "but I feel sleepy."
+
+"It isn't your bed hour yet. It is only half-past nine."
+
+"That is true, but I shall go to bed earlier than usual to-night."
+
+"All the better for me," thought Philip. "Now, if mother would only go,
+too!"
+
+It seemed as if everything was turning out favorably for his plan, for
+his mother answered:
+
+"Well, I think I will accompany you--that is, if Philip won't feel
+lonely."
+
+Philip's heart beat with eager satisfaction. He had expected that he
+would be obliged to go to bed, and wait there till his father and mother
+were asleep, then steal downstairs, running the risk of detection, light
+a lamp, and commit the theft. Now it looked as if he could do it much
+more easily.
+
+He answered, in as indifferent a voice as he could assume:
+
+"I am not at all sleepy. I'll stay up a little longer and read."
+
+Mrs. Ross nodded, in a satisfied way, to her husband.
+
+"I do believe Phil's getting fond of reading," she said.
+
+"I hope he is," returned the father.
+
+"Phil," said his mother, "the servant is out tonight. A cousin of hers
+is sick, and I gave her permission to stay with her all night. Are you
+willing to close up the house?"
+
+"Oh, yes," answered Phil, briskly. "I'm glad she's away," he thought.
+"She won't be spying round and see what I'm about. Besides, I can leave
+the door open, so that it will be easier to accuse Harry Gilbert."
+
+"Good-night," said his mother.
+
+"Good-night, mother."
+
+"Don't stay up too late reading."
+
+"No, I won't."
+
+"How many more pages are there, Philip?" asked his father.
+
+"About four hundred," answered Phil, looking over to the end.
+
+"Then I wouldn't advise you to sit up till you've finished the book," he
+said, jocosely.
+
+"I guess not. I shan't sit up more than half an hour."
+
+So Colonel and Mrs. Ross went upstairs, and the coast was clear.
+
+When he was left alone, and felt that the hour so long anticipated had
+come, Philip's heart beat fast.
+
+"Come; it's easier than I hoped," he said to himself. "And father left
+his keys, too, on the desk. I hope he won't think of them, and come
+downstairs after them. That might upset my plans, though I've got a lot
+of old keys in my pocket, and one of them might answer. However, there's
+none so good as the real thing."
+
+Philip had to consider whether he would wait till his father and mother
+were asleep, or act sooner. He at length decided, in the words of
+Shakespeare, though he was not familiar with them:
+
+ "If 'twere done with when 'tis done,
+ Then, 'twere well it were done quickly."
+
+The argument was this: If he acted soon, he could make use of his
+father's keys, and that would save him trouble. On the other hand, there
+was some risk that his father might think of them, and, coming
+downstairs, surprise him. However, Philip didn't think this was likely,
+and, in any event, he resolved to take the risk. He could pretend that
+he had just caught sight of his keys, and was going to carry them
+upstairs for safekeeping.
+
+Indeed, Philip did not wait more than ten minutes.
+
+"Father must be in bed by this time," he said to himself.
+
+He took the small lamp by which he was reading, and entered his father's
+office.
+
+There lay the keys, and there stood the trunk.
+
+He took the bunch of keys and selected a small one, which he thought
+likely to fit the trunk.
+
+It did.
+
+The lid was lifted, and Philip, with eager hand, took the envelope which
+he knew contained the government bonds. It was a bulky envelope, and
+contained probably eight or ten bonds.
+
+Of course, Philip didn't venture to take all. He selected two, of one
+hundred dollars each, and replaced the others in the envelope, and
+afterward in the trunk.
+
+He put the bonds in his inside coat pocket, and, hastily refastening the
+trunk, replaced the keys on his father's desk.
+
+He breathed a sigh of relief to think the thing was done, and walked
+over to the window.
+
+What was his gratification to see Harry Gilbert walking by on the other
+side of the street.
+
+"All happens right," he said. "Now, Harry can't say he was at home. I'll
+fix him. I'll say I saw him at the window, looking in, and his denial
+won't amount to much, when he admits, as he will, that he was near the
+house."
+
+He would have felt differently had he seen the face of Tom Calder
+peering in at one of the side windows. Tom had spent the evening in the
+village, and was now on his return to his chamber, on the second floor
+of the stable. His attention was attracted by the light in the room,
+and, as the curtain was partly raised, he took the liberty of peering
+in, unobserved.
+
+"By gracious!" he exclaimed, in amazement. "Phil is stealing gov'ment
+bonds from his father. He's a bad one, but I didn't think that of him."
+
+Tom slipped out, resolved to consider at his leisure what he had better
+do about imparting his secret information. It was well he did, for Phil
+himself almost immediately came to the same window.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+            PHILIP GETS RID OF HIS PLUNDER
+
+"Philip," said his mother, at the breakfast table the next morning, "the
+servant tells me she found the outside door unlocked this morning.
+Didn't I ask you to lock it before you went to bed?"
+
+"So you did, mother. I really hope you'll excuse me. When I got ready to
+go to bed, I forgot all about it."
+
+"It might have proved serious," remarked his father, "for I found this
+morning that I had left my bunch of keys on my desk. I don't see how I
+came to be so negligent."
+
+"It's lucky no burglar or dishonest person knew of it," said Mrs. Ross.
+"You might have met with a serious loss."
+
+"So I might, for I had about a thousand dollars' worth of government
+bonds in my trunk, besides certificates of various kinds of stock. The
+latter would have done no one any good, though the loss would have
+annoyed me, but the government bonds might readily be sold."
+
+"I shouldn't think you'd keep the trunk downstairs, father," said
+Philip, who felt easy, as there seemed no likelihood of suspicion being
+fixed upon him.
+
+He resolved so to act as to divert any future suspicion.
+
+"I don't know but it is imprudent," said Colonel Ross.
+
+"Of course it is," said his wife. "You deserve to suffer loss."
+
+"I will take it upstairs hereafter," said her husband, "especially," he
+added, jocularly, "if Philip is to be trusted to lock the front door."
+
+Philip smiled, but his smile was not exactly an easy one, for he was
+every minute apprehensive that it would occur to his father to open the
+trunk and examine the contents. He did not want this to happen till he
+was out of the way, for it would be rather a trial to his nerves to hear
+the announcement made of the loss, while he knew that the missing bonds
+were concealed in his inside coat pocket.
+
+Philip was in a hurry to see Congreve, and get rid of his troublesome
+deposit. He hurried through his breakfast, therefore, and rose from the
+table.
+
+"You've eaten very little, Phil," said his mother.
+
+"Oh, I'm not hungry," said Philip, carelessly. "I didn't get up early
+enough to raise an appetite."
+
+"You got up as early as usual," said his father.
+
+"Perhaps reading in the evening didn't agree with me," replied Philip,
+smiling.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked his mother.
+
+"Just out for a walk."
+
+"Will you call at the grocery store and tell them to send up a barrel of
+flour?"
+
+"All right."
+
+Usually Philip, who was far from obliging naturally, made a fuss when
+asked to do an errand, but now he spoke very good-humoredly. He was so
+anxious to get out of the house that he was ready to promise anything.
+
+"I really think Philip is improving," said his mother, after he had gone
+out.
+
+"There's some room for it," remarked his father, dryly.
+
+Philip, as may be supposed, made his way as quickly as possible to the
+hotel. As he came up, he saw the one of whom he was in search--James
+Congreve--standing on the piazza, smoking a cigarette.
+
+"Well?" he said, guessing something from the evident excitement of
+Philip's manner.
+
+"Let us go up to your room, Congreve," said Phil.
+
+"All right."
+
+He led the way upstairs to the small room which he occupied as a
+bedroom, and Philip followed him in. The latter carefully closed the
+door.
+
+"I've got 'em," he exclaimed, triumphantly.
+
+"The bonds? You don't say!"
+
+"As true as you stand there."
+
+"Let me see them."
+
+Philip drew the bonds from his pocket, and handed them to Congreve.
+
+The latter said, joyfully:
+
+"You're a trump, Phil!"
+
+"Yes, I think I managed pretty well," said Phil, complacently.
+
+"Tell me how you did it."
+
+So Phil explained.
+
+"You were in precious luck, I can tell you. I had no idea things would
+turn in your favor so. Let me see--here are two one-hundreds."
+
+"Yes; that's what you said."
+
+"True. Were there more in the trunk?"
+
+"Yes; I heard father say there were a thousand dollars in bonds."
+
+James Congreve's face was overspread by an expression of covetousness.
+
+"It's a pity you didn't take more," he said.
+
+"But what was the need of taking more? These will pay my debt to you."
+
+"Of course. Still, it seemed such a good chance."
+
+"You don't think I'm going to set up as a thief, do you, Congreve?"
+asked Philip, in surprise.
+
+"No, of course not. I didn't mean anything. Well, Phil, the sooner these
+are disposed of the better."
+
+"You are going to attend to that?"
+
+"Yes. I believe I will take the next train up to the city."
+
+"When will you be back?"
+
+"To-night. I will bring you the balance of the money--say, fifty
+dollars."
+
+"There ought to be more than that for me."
+
+"Oh, it will be all right! Only, you know, I will have to sell them
+below the market price, at some place where no questions are asked."
+
+"I've no doubt you'll do the square thing," said Philip, who did not
+know that this statement of Congreve's was only a flimsy pretense to
+enable him to appropriate a larger share of the plunder, as it may
+fairly be called.
+
+"I'll promise you fifty dollars, whatever the bonds bring," said
+Congreve.
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"Now, I must get ready, for the next train leaves for the city in half
+an hour."
+
+"I'll go along with you to the depot," said Philip.
+
+"No, you'd better not. After the loss is discovered, it might excite
+some remark, and possibly suspicion, if it were remembered."
+
+"Then I'll be going. I've got an errand over at the store. Shall I see
+you to-night?"
+
+"You'd better not come around till to-morrow morning. It may help avert
+suspicion."
+
+"Just as you say."
+
+"A pretty good haul!" said Congreve to himself. "I didn't think the
+little fool would have spunk enough to do it, but he has. I may pay him
+that fifty dollars, and then again I may not. I don't think I shall care
+to come back again to this dull hole to-night. I shall have to leave my
+trunk, but it isn't worth the sum I owe the landlord, and he is welcome
+to it. With the price of these bonds I can start anew cheaper."
+
+Philip left his friend, without the least suspicion that he intended to
+play him false. He felt very comfortable. He had got the bonds out of
+his possession, so that there was no danger of their being found on him,
+and he was to receive, the next morning, fifty dollars, a larger sum
+than he had ever possessed at one time in his life. He made up his mind
+that he would put it away in his trunk, and use it from time to time as
+he had occasion for it.
+
+He went to the grocery store, and left his mother's order. Then he took
+an aimless walk, for Congreve was away, and there was no one else he
+cared to be with.
+
+So he turned to go home. He rather dreaded to enter the house, lest his
+father might have discovered his loss. In the yard he saw Tom Calder.
+Tom, remembering what he had seen the evening before, looked at Philip
+with a significant grin, but said nothing.
+
+"What are you grinning at?" demanded Philip,
+
+"Nothing. I feel gay and festive, that is all," responded the stable
+boy.
+
+"Where's my father?"
+
+"He went out to ride in the buggy."
+
+Philip felt relieved. Evidently the loss had not been discovered yet. He
+was glad to have it put off.
+
+"Is there any news?" asked Tom, with another grin.
+
+"News? Why should there be any?"
+
+"I don't know. I thought you might know of some."
+
+"You talk like a fool," said Philip, angrily, and went into the house.
+
+"There'll be some news soon, I reckon," said Tom to himself, with a
+grin. "I won't say nothing till the time comes. Wonder if Philip'll
+think I am talking like a fool then?"
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXXV
+
+              THROWING SUSPICION ON HARRY
+
+During the day Colonel Ross had no occasion to look into his trunk of
+securities. Clearly, he had no suspicion that he had met with a loss.
+
+It might strike the reader as curious that Philip began to be impatient
+to have his father make the discovery. An impending blow always leads to
+a state of suspense which is by no means agreeable. When the blow falls,
+a certain relief is felt. So Philip knew that the discovery would be
+made sooner or later, and he wanted to have the matter settled, and
+clear himself at once from suspicion by diverting it to Harry Gilbert.
+
+In the hope that his father would find out his loss, he lingered round
+the house through the afternoon, filling up the time as well as he
+could. Usually, he would have passed at least a part of the time with
+James Congreve, but the latter had gone to the city.
+
+"Don't you feel well, Philip?" asked his mother.
+
+"Certainly! What makes you ask?"
+
+"You don't generally stay at home all the afternoon."
+
+"Oh, well, there isn't anything going on in the village."
+
+"Where is that friend of yours who is staying at the hotel?"
+
+"He went away this morning to the city."
+
+"Isn't he coming back?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I suppose so."
+
+"I suppose you feel lonely without him?"
+
+"Yes, mother."
+
+"Have you seen anything of Uncle Obed lately?" asked Mrs. Ross, making a
+wry face as she pronounced the word admitting the relationship.
+
+"Yes; I saw him walking with the Gilbert boy the other evening."
+
+"Did you speak to him?"
+
+"No; I just nodded. I don't care about getting intimate with him. I wish
+he'd leave town."
+
+"As likely as not, he'll use up all his money, and then come on your
+father for help."
+
+"I hope father won't give him anything, then," said Philip.
+
+"I am willing that he should give him enough to get him back to
+Illinois. He ought never to have left there. If he thinks we are going
+to pay his board here, all I can say is that he is very much mistaken,"
+said Mrs. Ross, pressing her thin lips together with emphasis.
+
+"That's the talk, ma! I am glad you don't mean to be imposed upon. I
+suppose old Wilkins thinks you are soft, and won't see him suffer. You'd
+better keep a stiff upper lip."
+
+"He will know me better after a while," said Mrs. Ross.
+
+The afternoon wore away, and supper came. Philip partook as usual, and
+waited afterward in the confident expectation that his father would open
+the small trunk. He was not mistaken.
+
+Upon retiring to his special apartment, Colonel Ross took up the trunk,
+and, producing the key, opened it.
+
+It so happened that he was after some papers, and did not immediately
+take up the envelope containing the government bonds. Philip was rather
+afraid he wouldn't, and ventured to remind him of them by a question.
+
+"How many government bonds have you in that envelope, pa?" he asked.
+
+"A little over a thousand dollars," answered Colonel Ross.
+
+"Will you let me look at one? I want to see how it looks."
+
+This question led the colonel to open the envelope. He took out a bond
+and handed it to Philip.
+
+"Are these coupons?" asked Philip, who knew perfectly well, but only
+wanted to fix his father's attention.
+
+"Yes, they are promises to pay interest semiannually. In January and
+July I cut off one of these little slips, and receive the interest it
+represents in gold."
+
+"That's very convenient, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, for I can get the coupons cashed at any bank or broker's office."
+
+Almost mechanically, he began to draw out the bonds and count them. But
+his air of inattention was quickly replaced by a look of surprise and
+anxiety. He counted the bonds over again, more deliberately, but each
+time the number came short two.
+
+"That's strange," he said, in a low tone.
+
+"What is strange, pa?"
+
+"Two bonds seem to be missing," said his father, in a tone of concern.
+
+"I've got one, you know, in my hand."
+
+"Yes, yes. I reckoned that."
+
+"How large were they? Is it much of a loss?"
+
+"One hundred dollars apiece, and each worth a hundred and fifteen
+dollars, on account of the premium. Do you know anything about them?"
+and Colonel Ross fixed a piercing eye on his son.
+
+"I, pa? How should I know anything about them? Why, I didn't know
+exactly how they looked. When did you see them all last?"
+
+"Last evening. I happened to count them then."
+
+"They must have been taken from the trunk since then."
+
+"Then I am almost sure I know how it happened," said Philip, suddenly,
+as if a light had dawned upon him.
+
+"I should like to have you tell me, then."
+
+"You remember, pa, you left the keys on the desk?"
+
+"Yes; but there was no one here except you," and again the father had
+suspicion of his son.
+
+"I hope you don't think I'd do such a thing as that?" said Philip,
+virtuously. "But I am afraid it is my fault, for I left the outside door
+unlocked all night. Any one might have come in and stolen the bonds."
+
+"That is true; but why didn't they take more, or all? You didn't see any
+one round when you went to bed, did you?"
+
+"Yes, I did," answered Philip, with well-feigned eagerness. "Just as I
+was going to bed, I went into the next room, where the trunk is, and,
+turning to look out of the window, I was quite startled to see Harry
+Gilbert's face close to the window. The light shining through the
+doorway was quite strong enough for him to see the trunk and keys lying
+on your desk. It's as sure as can be that he took the bonds. You see, he
+could slip in after I went upstairs, and there was nothing to prevent.
+He might have been lurking around when you were examining the bonds last
+night, and saw you place them back in the envelope."
+
+"What is all this about?" asked Mrs. Ross, entering the room at this
+point.
+
+It was explained to her, and she instantly adopted her son's view.
+
+"Phil's hit the nail on the head, I do believe," she said. "I didn't
+think he was so sharp. Colonel Ross, I have no doubt the Gilbert boy
+took the bonds."
+
+"Then, why didn't he take more?" asked Ross.
+
+"Oh, he got frightened--thought he heard a noise, or perhaps he thought
+it would not be discovered so quick if he only took two. There are
+reasons enough."
+
+Philip and Mrs. Ross assumed so confident a tone that Colonel Ross,
+though at first inclined to discredit the charge, ended by believing it
+very probable.
+
+"This thing must be attended to," he said. "What are you going to do
+about it, pa?"
+
+"I shall go before Justice Slocum, and get a warrant to search Widow
+Gilbert's house. If I find anything, I shall have Harry arrested."
+
+"Now, you're in a scrape, Harry Gilbert," said Philip to himself,
+exultantly.
+
+"I guess I'll go along with you, pa," he said, aloud, "and see if James
+Congreve has got back from the city."
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+              HARRY IS CHARGED WITH THEFT
+
+Philip called at the hotel, and inquired, with considerable confidence,
+if "Mr. Congreve" was in.
+
+"He has not returned," answered the landlord.
+
+"Then he won't be back to-night," said Philip, feeling considerably
+disappointed.
+
+"No; the last train is in."
+
+"I wonder if he had any trouble in selling the bonds," thought Philip;
+but this thought was one to which he didn't think it prudent to give
+expression.
+
+He walked home slowly, while Colonel Ross kept on his way to the modest
+home of the Gilberts. We will precede him.
+
+The little family was gathered in the plain sitting-room. There were but
+three--Mrs. Gilbert, Harry and Uncle Obed.
+
+The old man--to begin with the oldest first--was sitting in a rocking
+chair, with his hands folded in his lap, and an expression of placid
+contentment on his face. He had reached the age when rest is agreeable,
+and was satisfied to sit through the evening, now watching Harry or his
+mother, and now occupied with thoughts of earlier days and distant
+scenes. He was thoroughly satisfied with the new home he had found,
+plain and humble though it was. Indeed, perhaps, for that very reason,
+it suited him better.
+
+Mrs. Gilbert was sewing. She had time enough to sew for some of her
+neighbors, and in that way earned a moderate sum for herself, though, as
+the family was now situated, she could have dispensed with it.
+
+Harry was reading a "Life of Benjamin Franklin," which he had taken from
+the Sunday school library, and was evidently deeply interested in it.
+
+"What are you reading, Harry?" asked the old man, after a while.
+
+"Franklin's life, Uncle Obed."
+
+"You couldn't read anything better. Old Ben is a good model for American
+boys. He was a great man."
+
+"So he was, Uncle Obed; and he began poor, too."
+
+"Sarten, sarten! Poor boys make the smartest men--that's my
+observation."
+
+"Then I've got one thing in my favor," said Harry, smiling.
+
+"And you will succeed, too; I make no doubt of it. You've made a pretty
+good beginning already."
+
+"Thank you, Uncle Obed, for your favorable opinion. I hope I shall
+deserve it."
+
+"You're worth half a dozen boys like Philip Ross. I reckon he'll never
+amount to much."
+
+"He doesn't think so," said Harry, smiling. "He thinks himself a very
+important character."
+
+"Like enough! He looks like it. He doesn't care to own me as a
+relation."
+
+"It would be different if you were rich, Uncle Obed."
+
+"Mebbe so. I think so myself. Thank the Lord, I ain't beholden to him or
+his family for any favors. They wanted to send me home to Illinoy. I was
+too unfashionable for them, I expect, but I've found a home--yes, I've
+found a good home."
+
+"I am glad we succeeded in making it comfortable for you, Mr. Wilkins,"
+said Mrs. Gilbert, looking up from her sewing.
+
+"You do, ma'am," said the old man. "I ain't been so well taken care of
+for years as I am now. I wish I could do something to show my
+gratitude."
+
+"The money you pay us is of great service. It makes the largest part of
+our income. I am only afraid you pay too much."
+
+"No, I don't," said Uncle Obed. "Money isn't of much vally, compared
+with a good home. If I ain't as rich as my niece, I can afford to pay
+fair board. When a man's turned seventy, as I have, the best money can
+do for him is to give him a happy home."
+
+Mrs. Gilbert and Harry were pleased to find their boarder so contented.
+The money he paid weekly, with unvarying punctuality, made things easy
+for the widow, and relieved her of the anxiety which she had constantly
+felt before his arrival.
+
+The conversation above recorded was scarcely over, when a knock was
+heard at the front door--a sharp, peremptory knock--as of one who
+demanded admittance, rather than requested it.
+
+All looked up, with some surprise, for it was now eight o'clock, and
+they did not often have evening callers.
+
+"I will go to the door, mother," said Harry. "You need not interrupt
+your sewing."
+
+So Harry opened the outer door, and, considerably to his surprise, saw
+standing on the step the dignified figure of Colonel Ross.
+
+"Colonel Ross!" he exclaimed, in surprise.
+
+"I will come in a few minutes," said the Colonel, stiffly.
+
+"Certainly, sir. Excuse my not inviting you."
+
+"It is very excusable--under the circumstances," said the Colonel,
+stiffly.
+
+"What does he mean?" thought Harry. "I can't tell what circumstances he
+refers to."
+
+"Mother," said he, opening the door of the sitting-room, "here is
+Colonel Ross."
+
+"Take a seat, Colonel Ross," said the widow, politely.
+
+Colonel Ross seated himself deliberately in a chair near his wife's
+uncle.
+
+"Glad to see you, Mr. Ross," said Uncle Obed, thinking the visit was
+meant for him. "You're very kind to look in on an old man."
+
+"I--well, my visit this evening has a different object."
+
+"Oh, come to see Mrs. Gilbert! Well, how's Lucinda?"
+
+"Mrs. Ross is enjoying her usual health," said Colonel Ross,
+ceremoniously.
+
+"Glad to hear it," said the old man. "She hasn't called on me yet,
+though I'm the only relation she's got within a thousand miles."
+
+"Mrs. Ross is very much occupied," said her husband, coldly. "However,
+you will excuse me if I proceed to the object of my visit. I regret to
+say that last evening the trunk in which I keep a part of my securities
+was opened, and two government bonds abstracted."
+
+"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mr. Wilkins, really surprised. "When did
+it happen?"
+
+"Sometime in the evening or night. The outer door was left unlocked,
+through the neglect of my son, Philip, who sat up later than his mother
+or myself. Unfortunately, I had myself carelessly left my bunch of keys,
+including the key to this trunk, on my desk, so that the thief found his
+work very easy."
+
+"You and Philip were both careless. Have you got track of the rogue?"
+
+"I think I have," answered Colonel Ross, in a significant tone.
+
+"I'm glad on't. These fellows ought to be caught. I don't have much
+sympathy for a thief."
+
+"I am glad to hear you say so," said Colonel Ross.
+
+"You didn't think I had, did you?" asked the old man, puzzled.
+
+"I thought you might have, when you came to know who it was I suspect."
+
+"I don't see as that will make any difference. Who is it?"
+
+"My son, just before retiring, saw a person prowling round the house,
+and looking into the window. Doubtless, he saw the bunch of keys, and
+was tempted to enter and steal the bonds."
+
+"Have you arrested him?"
+
+"Not yet; but probably I shall before long."
+
+"Who is it, Colonel Ross?" asked Mrs. Gilbert, with interest.
+
+"Madam," said the Colonel, slowly, "it pains me to say that the person
+seen prowling round my house, and looking in at my window, was your son,
+Harry!"
+
+"Harry!" ejaculated the widow, scarcely thinking she had heard aright.
+
+"It's ridiculous!" exclaimed Uncle Obed.
+
+"Colonel Ross," said Harry, rising to his feet, and confronting the
+visitor, with clear eyes and an expression of honest indignation, "do
+you mean to say that you suspect me of stealing any of your property?"
+
+"Young man, I advise you not to be impudent or brazen-faced. Do you mean
+to deny that you were near my house last evening between half-past nine
+and ten o'clock?"
+
+"No, I don't. I did pass your house about that time."
+
+"I am glad you have the sense to own it. You may as well confess the
+rest--that you entered through the unlocked door, opened my small trunk,
+and took out two government bonds of a hundred dollars each."
+
+"Whoever charges me with that utters a falsehood," said Harry, boldly.
+"I passed your house, but I did not enter it, and did not even look in
+the window, and it is news to me that the door was unlocked, or the keys
+on the desk. In fact, I didn't know you had a trunk in which you kept
+your bonds."
+
+"Of course you deny it," said Colonel Ross, "but I think it entirely
+likely that the stolen bonds are at this very moment hidden beneath this
+roof."
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+                 SEARCHING THE COTTAGE
+
+"Colonel Ross, your suspicions are very insulting and entirely
+unwarranted," said the Widow Gilbert, with a flush on her usually pale
+cheek.
+
+"Of course I knew you would not believe anything against your son, whom
+you believe to be a model," said Colonel Ross, with a sneer.
+
+"So he is--a model!" said the widow, warmly.
+
+"Then all I can say is that there is a strong reason to suspect that
+this model son of yours is a thief."
+
+"I deny it."
+
+"I notice, however, that you are afraid to have the house searched."
+
+"I have never expressed any unwillingness."
+
+"Then I understand that you give your consent."
+
+"I do."
+
+"Very well. Then allow me to call in a party not interested, who will
+attend to that duty."
+
+Colonel Ross went to the outer door, and, opening it, called:
+
+"Constable, you are wanted!"
+
+At this summons a tall, stout man--Mr. Rogers, the village
+constable--came forward, as it seemed, rather reluctantly.
+
+"Constable," said Colonel Ross, "Mrs. Gilbert has given her consent to
+have the house searched for the bonds which were abstracted from my
+trunk last evening."
+
+"Mr. Rogers," said Mrs. Gilbert, who knew the constable well, "Colonel
+Ross has made a cruel and unwarranted charge against Harry. I hope you
+don't believe he is a thief."
+
+"I don't," said the constable, bluntly. "I've known your boy ever since
+he was a baby, and I never knew him to do a mean thing."
+
+"Constable," said Colonel Ross, angrily, "it does not become you to
+screen the guilty or make excuses for him."
+
+"It strikes me you're rather too fast, Colonel Ross, in making him out
+guilty. What proof have you of it?"
+
+"My son's word."
+
+"Oh!" said the constable, expressively.
+
+"You have only to do your duty and search the house, and I venture to
+predict that the evidence will be forthcoming that will convince even
+you."
+
+"Mrs. Gilbert," said the constable, "I hope you'll excuse me for obeying
+the Colonel. I have to do it, you know."
+
+"Do your duty, Mr. Rogers. We are not afraid to have the house searched
+from top to bottom."
+
+"I don't want to disturb your things, Mrs. Gilbert. Suppose you go round
+and open everything to us."
+
+"If that will be satisfactory to Colonel Ross. I want him satisfied."
+
+"As long as I am present, with a right to examine, I shall not object."
+
+"It seems to me, Colonel Ross," remarked Uncle Obed, "you are not
+treating the boy right."
+
+"It is immaterial to me what you think, Mr. Wilkins," replied the
+Colonel, with asperity.
+
+"Mebbe so," said the old man. "I calculate it won't always be so. The
+time may come when you will care more for my opinion."
+
+"You flatter yourself unduly, Mr. Wilkins, I assure you."
+
+"Mebbe so," answered the old man, not appearing at all discomposed by
+the rude tone of his niece's husband.
+
+"We will begin here, gentlemen," said Mrs. Gilbert.
+
+So saying, she went about from place to place down below, opening
+whatever drawers there were, even in the pantry, and revealing nothing
+that looked like the bonds.
+
+"I didn't expect they were downstairs," said the Colonel.
+
+"Then we will go upstairs. You shall not say that we have concealed
+anything or shrunk from any investigation."
+
+"Very well."
+
+Mrs. Gilbert thereupon led the way upstairs, and the search began.
+Finally, they came to her own bureau. The upper drawer was opened, and
+the sharp eyes of the Colonel detected a large envelope. It was the one
+that contained the bonds which had been presented to Harry for his
+service in ferreting out the burglars in the wood.
+
+Singular as it may seem, neither Harry nor his mother had thought of
+them, and the false inference that might be drawn from their discovery.
+It was natural, therefore, that each should look startled and
+discomposed.
+
+"Ha! what have we here?" demanded Colonel Ross, clutching the envelope.
+
+"Those are my property," said Harry, who was the first to recover his
+self-possession.
+
+"I will take the liberty to examine. Ha! government bonds, as I live.
+Constable, what do you say now?" demanded the Colonel, triumphantly.
+
+The constable, who knew nothing of Harry's gift, looked very
+uncomfortable indeed. Despite his belief in Harry's honesty, he was
+staggered by this apparent evidence to the contrary.
+
+"What is this, Mrs. Gilbert?" he asked.
+
+"They are bonds belonging to Harry. He speaks the truth."
+
+"A likely story," exclaimed Colonel Ross. "Really, Mrs. Gilbert, your
+conduct is most extraordinary. I begin to think you had some knowledge
+of your son's act."
+
+"Colonel Ross, don't you dare to insult my mother," said Harry, so
+fiercely that the Colonel retreated a little, under the impression that
+our hero intended to make an insult upon him.
+
+"Be careful, boy," he warned. "I've caught you red-handed in the
+commission of a crime that may send you to State's prison. You'd better
+take heed what you say!"
+
+"Mr. Rogers," said Mrs. Gilbert, "that envelope contains government
+bonds that belong to my son. Ask Colonel Ross how many he lost."
+
+"Two bonds of a hundred dollars each," answered the Colonel. "And here
+they are," he continued, producing two bonds of that denomination from
+the envelope.
+
+"Look again. See if there are no more," said Harry.
+
+The Colonel, evidently surprised, produced a fifty.
+
+"Do you mean to say that you lost that, also?" inquired Harry.
+
+"No," replied the Colonel, evidently puzzled; "you must have got that
+from somewhere else."
+
+"I got the whole somewhere else," said Harry.
+
+"It is entirely useless, Harry Gilbert, to attempt to impose upon me by
+any such ridiculous story. As to the extra bond, I don't know where it
+came from. Perhaps your mother had it before. It doesn't alter the fact
+that I have found my stolen bonds in your possession."
+
+"When did you lose your bonds?" asked Uncle Obed, who thought it time to
+"put in his oar," as he afterward expressed it.
+
+"Last evening."
+
+"You're sure you had 'em up to that time, are you?"
+
+"Yes; I looked them over, and counted them early in the evening."
+
+"Then, all I can say is that the bonds you've got in your hands have
+been in the house several days. Harry showed them to me when he first
+got 'em."
+
+"Really, Mr. Wilkins, I don't like to doubt the word of an old man like
+you; but, sir, your statement is absolutely incredible."
+
+"It is true," said Mrs. Gilbert. "I, too, assert the same thing."
+
+"Then you are all in a conspiracy," said Colonel Ross, in a passion.
+
+"And you have evidently plotted the ruin of an innocent boy," said Mrs.
+Gilbert, with spirit.
+
+"You have always pretended to be poor," continued Colonel Ross, "and now
+you expect me to believe that your son owns nearly three hundred
+dollars' worth of bonds!"
+
+"I do, for it is true."
+
+"Where did he get them?"
+
+"They were given him."
+
+"Utterly absurd! People don't often give boys such presents as that.
+Constable, I call on you to arrest that boy."
+
+"Where is your warrant, Colonel?"
+
+"Arrest him on suspicion."
+
+"I could not do it."
+
+"Then you mean to connive at his escape?"
+
+"No; I'll stay here to-night, if you insist upon it."
+
+"Do so, and I will take the bonds."
+
+"Lay them down, Colonel Ross; they are my property!" said Harry,
+sternly.
+
+"You can't be allowed to take 'em, Colonel, till you prove that they are
+yours. One you admit is not," said the constable.
+
+"It doesn't matter much," replied the Colonel, discomfited. "They will
+find their way back to me soon. This boy won't take on so high a tone
+tomorrow."
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+                   PHILIP'S SURPRISE
+
+"Where did that other bond come from?" thought Colonel Ross, as he
+wended his way homeward. "I can't understand it. Perhaps the boy took it
+from some one else. It is just possible that his mother may have owned a
+fifty-dollar bond."
+
+To do Colonel Ross justice, he really thought that the bonds he had
+discovered were his own, and he was convinced, by what his son had told
+him, that Harry had really entered his house on the night when the outer
+door had been left open and abstracted them.
+
+Philip, disappointed at not finding his friend Congreve at the hotel,
+took his way home, and was already in the house when his father
+returned. He was naturally curious to hear something of the result of
+his errand.
+
+"Well, father," he said, eagerly, as the Colonel entered the room where
+he was seated, "what luck did you have?"
+
+"I found the bonds," said his father, briefly.
+
+Nothing could have astonished Philip more, knowing what he did as to
+the manner in which they had really been disposed of. He looked the
+picture of amazement.
+
+"Found the bonds!" he ejaculated.
+
+"Certainly! What is there remarkable about that?"
+
+"And Harry Gilbert really had them?" said Philip, not knowing what to
+think.
+
+"Of course!"
+
+"Where were they found?"
+
+"In the bureau drawer in his mother's room."
+
+"What can it mean?" thought Philip, in a whirl of amazement. "I gave
+them to Congreve to carry to New York, and how in the world could
+Gilbert have got hold of them? There must be some mistake somewhere."
+
+"What did Harry say when you found the bonds?" he asked.
+
+"He denied that they were mine; said they were his."
+
+"But where could he get them?"
+
+"That is the question. He said they were given to him, or some such
+ridiculous nonsense, and his mother actually backed him up in this
+preposterous statement."
+
+"I was never so astonished in the whole course of my life!" said Philip;
+and he spoke the honest truth.
+
+"You, my son, are entitled to great credit for your vigilance, and you
+apprising me that the boy was prowling about the house on the evening in
+question. I shall make you a present of ten dollars."
+
+"Oh, thank you, father," said Philip, his eyes expressing his delight,
+as his father drew from his pocketbook two five-dollar bills and placed
+them in his hand.
+
+"At any rate, it has turned out pretty lucky for me," he thought to
+himself. "All the same, it is a puzzle where those bonds came from.
+Congreve wouldn't go and give them to Harry? No, of course not! Well,
+the best I can do is to keep mum."
+
+"There is one circumstance that rather puzzles me," said the Colonel,
+reflectively.
+
+"What is it, father?"
+
+"I only miss two hundred-dollar bonds, and I found in the boy's
+possession a fifty-dollar bond in addition. That is certainly
+singular."
+
+"So it is," said Philip, showing his own surprise.
+
+"He must have stolen that from some other party," continued the
+Colonel.
+
+"As like as not," chimed in Philip, glibly. "Have you got the bonds with
+you?" he asked, after a pause. "Did you bring them back?"
+
+"No. Rogers, the constable, said I could not take them till I had proved
+them to be my property. He is a stupid old countryman, and knows nothing
+about law. He was evidently prejudiced in favor of the Gilberts."
+
+"Well, what did you do with Harry?"
+
+"He ought to have been taken to the lockup, but the constable didn't
+want to do it, and I agreed that he might stay in the house, under guard
+of the constable, of course, for I apprehended the boy might make an
+effort to run away."
+
+"Did he seem much frightened?" asked Philip, curiously.
+
+"No; he seemed very indignant at being suspected. Of course, it was all
+put on. He was actually insolent, and defied me to take the bonds. I
+suppose he thought he could put me off the scent by his bravado."
+
+"What are you going to do to-morrow?" asked Philip.
+
+"I shall have him taken before a magistrate, and shall formally charge
+him with the theft."
+
+"What did Uncle Obed say?" inquired Philip, suddenly.
+
+"It really is of very little consequence what that old man said,"
+returned Colonel Ross, stiffly. "Of course, he sided with the Gilberts,
+and he actually had the effrontery to say that the bonds had been in the
+house for several days."
+
+"He couldn't have given the bonds to Harry, could he?"
+
+"Of course not. The man is a pauper, or about the same as one. Every day
+I expect he will come to me to ask pecuniary assistance."
+
+"Will you give him any money if he does?"
+
+"Yes; enough to get him back to Illinois. He ought never to have left
+there."
+
+Philip went to bed in a state of wonderment, but at the same time in a
+state of satisfaction. Suspicion had been diverted from him, the real
+culprit, and the boy whom he hated more than any other was likely to
+suffer for his misdeeds.
+
+If he had had a conscience, this thought ought to have made him
+uncomfortable, but it did not. He thought, rather, that under cover of
+this charge made against another, he and Congreve would be free to use
+the proceeds of the stolen bonds, and he began even to plan in what way
+he would spend his portion.
+
+Meanwhile, a very different scene took place in the cottage of the
+Gilberts, after the Colonel had taken his leave.
+
+"I hope, Mr. Rogers," said Mrs. Gilbert to the constable, "you don't
+believe my boy guilty of this base deed which the colonel charges upon
+him?"
+
+"I've always thought highly of Harry, ma'am," said the constable, "and I
+can't think now he'd take anything that wasn't his; but it is rather
+strange that them bonds should be found in this house now, ain't it?"
+
+"No, indeed. Is the Colonel the only man in town that owns bonds?"
+
+"I expect not; though, so far as my own experience goes, I know I ain't
+got any. I always thought--begging your pardon, Mrs. Gilbert--that you
+was poor, and now what am I to think?"
+
+"You needn't think I am rich; but Harry owns those bonds, and they are
+the reward of his own good conduct. Would you like to hear how he came
+by them?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am, if you don't mind telling me."
+
+"I don't mind telling you, though I didn't choose to tell the Colonel."
+
+Whereupon, Mrs. Gilbert related the story of the tin box secreted in the
+wood, and how, through Harry's prompt action, those who had purloined it
+had been brought to justice.
+
+"You've got a smart boy, Mrs. Gilbert," said the constable, admiringly.
+"I couldn't have done as well myself. There won't be any difficulty in
+clearing Harry now."
+
+"What would you advise, Mr. Rogers?"
+
+"Nothing at present; but if we find it necessary to-morrow, we can get
+that lawyer's testimony, which will certainly clear Harry of this
+charge."
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+                HOW CONGREVE SUCCEEDED
+
+Philip would not have felt flattered if he had been able to read the
+thoughts of his friend James Congreve, when the latter was riding away
+from the village where he had been boarding, toward the great city.
+
+"That's the last I shall ever see of the young snob, I hope," he said to
+himself. "I've got all I can out of him, and now I wash my hands of him.
+I wish him joy of waiting for me to-night. It'll be many a long day
+before he sees me or the balance of the bonds."
+
+James Congreve settled back in his seat, bought a paper from the paper
+boy on the train, and began to read in a very comfortable frame of
+mind.
+
+From time to time he put his hand on the inside pocket in which he had
+placed the bonds, to make sure of their safety, for no one knew better
+than he that there were dishonest persons to be met with who were
+willing to appropriate valuables belonging to others.
+
+It was some time since he had been so well off as he would be when he
+had converted these bonds into money. Indeed, all the summer long he had
+been short of funds, or he would not have spent so long a time in a
+country village, which to him was dull and afforded him a small field
+for his peculiar talents.
+
+Arriving in New York, Congreve took his way to Wall Street. Here it was
+that he expected to get rid of the bonds, or, rather, exchange them for
+greenbacks.
+
+In this street brokers' and bankers' offices abound, and all negotiable
+securities readily find a purchaser. He stepped into an office nearly
+opposite the opening of New Street, and, approaching the counter, said,
+as he drew out his bonds:
+
+"What are you paying for government sixes?"
+
+"Let me see the date," said the clerk. He spread open the bonds, and
+then answered: "One hundred and fifteen and three-eighths."
+
+"Very well," replied Congreve. "I will sell them."
+
+The clerk took them and stepped to the desk, to make an entry of the
+purchase.
+
+"What name?" he asked, turning to Congreve.
+
+"John Baker," said Congreve, with momentary hesitation.
+
+For obvious reasons, he thought it best not to mention his own name, as
+trouble might possibly come from the possession of the bonds.
+
+"Shall I give you a check?" was the next question.
+
+"I would prefer the money," answered Congreve.
+
+"Go to the cashier's window, and he will attend to you."
+
+"Not much trouble about that," thought Congreve, complacently, when he
+was startled by a voice at his elbow.
+
+"How are you, Congreve?"
+
+Looking around hastily, he saw a hand extended, and recognized a young
+man who had at one time been a fellow-boarder with him in Fourteenth
+Street. It is safe to say that James Congreve wished him anywhere else
+at that most unfortunate time.
+
+"Hush!" said he, in a subdued whisper; "I will speak to you outside."
+
+He hoped the clerk had not heard the name by which he had been
+addressed; but he hoped in vain. The latter, pausing in his writing,
+came to the counter and said:
+
+"Didn't this gentleman call you Congreve?"
+
+"Yes," admitted Congreve, uneasily.
+
+"You just gave your name as John Baker."
+
+"Oh, no! That is, I didn't say my name was John Baker. That is the
+gentleman for whom I am selling the bonds."
+
+"Then they do not belong to you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Where does Mr. Baker live?"
+
+"In New Haven," answered Congreve, glibly, for he had a ready
+invention.
+
+"We do not care to buy," said the clerk, coldly, for there was something
+in Congreve's manner which made him suspicious.
+
+"Really," said Congreve, laughing in a constrained manner, "you appear
+to be very cautious."
+
+"We have to be."
+
+"Shall I tell Mr. Baker it will be necessary for him to come to New York
+in person to dispose of his bonds? He is my uncle, and I simply am doing
+him a favor in disposing of them."
+
+"Very possibly; but I think we won't purchase them."
+
+"Oh, well! I can carry them elsewhere," said Congreve, raging inwardly.
+
+His acquaintance, whose recognition had interfered with his plans,
+followed him to the door, in rather a perplexed frame of mind.
+
+"Where have you been all summer, Congreve?" he asked, thinking it best
+to ignore the scene which he had just witnessed.
+
+"None of your business," answered Congreve, sharply.
+
+"What does this mean?" asked the young man, in astonishment.
+
+"It means, sir, that I do not wish to keep up my acquaintance with you.
+Didn't you know any better than to blurt out my name just now, and so
+get me into trouble?"
+
+"If you are ashamed to appear under your real name, I don't care to know
+you," answered the young man, with spirit. "So, good-morning to you, Mr.
+Congreve, or Mr. Baker, or whatever else you call yourself."
+
+"Good riddance," said Congreve.
+
+"There's something wrong about that fellow," said Tom Norcross to
+himself, as he looked after Congreve, while the latter was crossing the
+street. "I don't believe he came by those bonds honestly. His manner was
+certainly very suspicious."
+
+Congreve entered another banking house, and here he had no difficulty in
+disposing of his bonds. He came out with two hundred and thirty dollars
+in his pocket, and feeling less irritable than before.
+
+"So that's done," he said to himself, "and I am well provided with money
+for the present. Now I must make up for lost time, and try to enjoy
+myself a little. I was nearly moped to death in that dull country
+village, with no better company than a young snob. Now to see life!"
+
+First of all, Congreve installed himself at a fashionable boarding house
+uptown. Then he purchased a seat for the evening's performance at
+Wallack's Theater, and then sought out some of his old companions in
+haunts where he knew they were likely to be found. He had a few games of
+cards, in which his luck varied. He rose from the card table a loser in
+the sum of twenty-five dollars.
+
+"That is unlucky," thought Congreve. "However, I've got two hundred
+dollars left. I must be more cautious, or my money won't last long."
+
+Still, he felt in tolerably good spirits when he went to the theater,
+and enjoyed the performance about as much as if his pleasures were
+bought with money honestly earned.
+
+It so happened that the clerk at the first banking house who had refused
+to purchase the bonds sat two rows behind him, and easily recognized his
+customer of the morning.
+
+"I suspect Mr. Baker, alias Congreve, has disposed of his bonds," he
+thought to himself. "I am really curious to know whether he had any
+right to sell them."
+
+From time to time this thought came back to the clerk, till he formed a
+resolution quietly to follow Congreve, after the close of the
+performance, and ascertain where he lived.
+
+Congreve, seated in front, was not aware of the presence of the clerk,
+or he might have taken measures to defeat his design.
+
+When James Congreve left the theater, he was at first inclined to stop
+at Delmonico's on the way uptown, and indulge in a little refreshment;
+but he felt somewhat fatigued with his day's travel, and, after a
+moment's indecision, concluded instead to return at once to his boarding
+place.
+
+"He lives in a nice house," said the clerk to himself. "Let me notice
+the number. I may find it desirable to know where to find him."
+
+To anticipate matters a little, word came to New York in the afternoon
+of the next day that two bonds, the numbers of which were given, had
+been stolen from Colonel Ross, and search was made for the young man who
+was suspected of having negotiated them. The clerk, who, previous to
+returning the bonds to Congreve, had taken down the numbers, at once
+identified them as the ones referred to, and gave information to the
+police.
+
+The result was that just as Congreve was sitting down to supper on the
+evening of the second day, he was informed that a man wished to see him
+at the door. On answering the call, he saw before him a small man, of
+quiet manner, dressed in a sober suit of black.
+
+"You name is Congreve, I believe?" he said, politely,
+
+"Yes, sir," answered James, in a hesitating tone.
+
+"Then I must trouble you to go with me."
+
+"I have just sat down to supper."
+
+"I am really sorry to disturb you, but you are charged with selling two
+stolen bonds in Wall Street yesterday."
+
+"There is some mistake," said Congreve, hurriedly. "Colonel Ross sent me
+the bonds by his son, with a request that I would sell them for him."
+
+"Glad to hear it," said the detective, laconically. "Then you will be
+able to clear yourself. Meanwhile, you must come with me."
+
+And James Congreve spent the night in a boarding house by no means
+fashionable.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XL
+
+                PREPARING TO PROSECUTE
+
+"I am going to the bottom of this affair," said Colonel Ross, as he
+sipped his second cup of coffee at the breakfast table the next morning.
+"The Gilbert boy must suffer the consequences of his crime."
+
+"Will he be sent to prison, pa?" inquired Philip.
+
+"It is a State's prison offense, my son," answered his father.
+
+Was it on Harry's account that Philip suddenly turned pale and looked
+nervous? I cannot credit him with a sufficient amount of feeling for
+another. He could not help recalling the fact that it was he and not
+Harry who had been guilty of this State's prison offense.
+
+"However, the thing can't possibly be traced to me," he reflected,
+somewhat more comfortable in mind. "I don't know as I care whether Harry
+Gilbert goes to prison or not. He is very proud and stuck-up, and it
+will take down his pride."
+
+"I commend your decision," said Mrs. Ross, to her husband. "In my
+opinion, mercy would be misplaced in such a case as this. The boy who is
+degraded enough to steal is likely to continue in his criminal course,
+and the sooner he is punished the better."
+
+There was something in this remark, also, that made Philip wince.
+
+"Where will Harry Gilbert be tried?" asked Philip.
+
+"Before Squire Davis. I directed the constable to carry him round there
+at nine o'clock this morning."
+
+"May I go, too?"
+
+"Yes; your testimony will be needed to show that the boy was prowling
+around our house on the evening in question."
+
+"Very well," answered Philip, with satisfaction. "I'll go along with
+you."
+
+"Do so, my son."
+
+As it was not yet time to go to the office of the justice, Philip
+stepped out into the yard, where Tom Calder, the stable boy, was washing
+a carriage.
+
+"I guess I'll tell him the news," thought Philip. "Tom," he said, "we've
+discovered who stole the bonds the other night."
+
+"Have you?" asked Tom, with a queer smile.
+
+"Yes. Would you like to know who it is?"
+
+"Uncommon."
+
+"It's Harry Gilbert."
+
+Tom Calder pursed up his lips in genuine amazement, and emitted a shrill
+whistle.
+
+"You don't say!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Yes," said Philip, complacently. "The governor had the house
+searched--Widow Gilbert's, of course--and he found the bonds there."
+
+"That beats all I ever heard!" ejaculated Tom.
+
+"Oh, it doesn't surprise me at all!" said Philip, carelessly. "I've long
+suspected Harry Gilbert of being dishonest."
+
+"I don't believe it, for my part," said Tom, manfully standing by a boy
+who, on more than one occasion, had done him a favor. "Harry Gilbert is
+as honest a boy as there is in town."
+
+"Your opinion isn't of much importance," said Philip, in a tone of
+superiority, "and it won't save the Gilbert boy from going to State's
+prison."
+
+"Do you mean to say the one who took the bonds will have to go to
+State's prison?"
+
+"Yes; that's what father says, and he knows a good deal about the law."
+
+"Maybe he'll change his mind," said Tom Calder, in a peculiar tone.
+"When is the trial coming off?"
+
+"This morning, at nine o'clock, at the office of Squire Davis."
+
+Tom nodded his head thoughtfully, but only said:
+
+"Are you going to be there?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What time is it now?"
+
+"Quarter past eight."
+
+"Somebody else will be there," said Tom to himself; and Philip left him
+and went back into the house.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XLI
+
+              HARRY MANAGES HIS OWN CASE
+
+Trial Justice Davis sat in his office. He was a man of sixty, with a
+keen but not unbenevolent face, looking all the more sagacious, perhaps,
+because of a pair of gold spectacles which surmounted his nose. He had
+been apprised of the trial at which he was expected to preside, and he
+looked surprised and regretful.
+
+"I can't believe that boy is guilty," he said to himself. "I have always
+looked upon him as one of the best boys in town."
+
+At nine, the principal parties concerned entered the office. First,
+Colonel Ross and Philip walked in--Philip with an attempt to be at ease,
+but with a perceptibly nervous air, notwithstanding.
+
+Harry Gilbert entered, walking beside the constable. Behind him followed
+his mother and Uncle Obed. Mrs. Gilbert looked anxious, though the
+constable assured her that there was no need of it, and that Harry would
+be triumphantly acquitted. Harry did not look in the least frightened,
+but seemed much more at ease than Philip.
+
+A trial before a police justice in a country town is much more informal
+than in a city, and this should be remembered by those who read this
+chapter.
+
+"What charge do you bring against Harry Gilbert, Colonel?" asked the
+justice.
+
+"I charge him with entering my house on the evening of the nineteenth
+instant, opening the small trunk in which I keep my valuable papers and
+securities, and abstracting therefrom two United States Government
+bonds, of the par value of a hundred dollars each."
+
+"You hear the charge, Harry," said the justice. "Are you guilty or not
+guilty?"
+
+"Not guilty," answered Harry, in clear, ringing accents, surveying the
+Colonel proudly.
+
+"You ought to have some one to defend you," said the justice.
+
+"I will defend myself," said Harry, resolutely.
+
+"Very well. Colonel Ross, I will hear your testimony."
+
+The Colonel, being sworn, testified that he had missed the bonds on the
+morning afterward, and had been led, by what his son told him, to
+suspect Harry Gilbert. He had gone to the cottage, and found the bonds.
+He was about to rehearse Philip's information, but the justice stopped
+him, and said he would hear Philip in person.
+
+"Have you any question to ask the witness?" asked the justice of Harry.
+
+"Can I reserve my questions?" asked Harry.
+
+"Yes; if you desire it."
+
+Philip was next sworn. He testified that, on the evening in question, he
+had seen Harry prowling round the house, just before going up to bed.
+
+"How did you happen to sit up so late?" asked Harry.
+
+"That's my affair," replied Philip, haughtily.
+
+"Answer!" thundered the justice, angrily. "No insolence here, sir!"
+
+"I was reading," said Philip, frightened.
+
+"Did you go into the room where the trunk was?" asked Harry, in his
+capacity as lawyer.
+
+"Ye-es."
+
+"Did you open the trunk?"
+
+"No," answered Philip, nervously.
+
+"I protest against the prisoner's insolence to my son," exclaimed
+Colonel Ross, angrily.
+
+"It is a question he has a right to ask," said the justice, calmly.
+
+"Did you see the keys which your father left on his desk?" asked Harry.
+
+"No," answered Philip, ill at ease.
+
+"I should now like to question Colonel Ross," said Harry.
+
+The Colonel, with a curl of the lip, took the stand again.
+
+"Really," he said, "it looks as if my son and I were on trial instead of
+the prisoner."
+
+"Colonel Ross, you must be aware that I am according Harry no unusual
+privileges. It is as a lawyer--his own advocate--that he questions
+you."
+
+"Go on," said the Colonel, haughtily.
+
+"Colonel Ross," continued Harry, "do you generally keep a list of the
+numbers on your bonds?"
+
+"Of course!"
+
+"Can you furnish the numbers of the bonds that were taken from you?"
+
+"I can give the numbers of the whole ten bonds. I don't know which were
+taken. I have not compared my list with those that remain."
+
+"Have you the numbers with you?"
+
+"Yes, I have them in my notebook."
+
+"Will you be kind enough to repeat them so that the court may take them
+down?"
+
+"Certainly! though I don't see what good that will do."
+
+"It is of material importance," said the justice, nodding approval.
+
+Colonel Ross drew from his inside coat pocket a large wallet, and,
+opening it, took out a memorandum, from which he read as follows:
+
+"The numbers run from 17,810 to 17,817, inclusive."
+
+"Then the stolen bonds are somewhere between those numbers?" said
+Harry.
+
+"Of course."
+
+Harry turned to the constable.
+
+"Mr. Rogers," he said, "have you the bonds which were found at our
+house?"
+
+"Yes," answered the constable.
+
+"Will you hand them to Squire Davis, and ask him to read off the
+numbers?"
+
+"You will do as Harry requests you," said the justice.
+
+The constable placed the envelope in his hands, and Justice Davis,
+opening it, drew out three bonds.
+
+"I find two one-hundred-dollar bonds," he said, "and one fifty-dollar
+bond."
+
+"The two hundred-dollar bonds are mine," said Colonel Ross.
+
+"That is, you claim them," said the justice, cautiously. "I will read
+the numbers.
+
+"This one," he proceeded, unfolding one, "is numbered 9,867, and the
+other"--after a pause--"11,402. It strikes me, Colonel Ross, that you
+will have to look further for your bonds."
+
+If such a dignified-looking man as Colonel Ross could look foolish, the
+Colonel looked so at that moment. He realized that he had made a
+ridiculous exhibition of himself, and he felt mortified to think that he
+had been so careless as not to have thought of comparing the numbers of
+the bonds the moment he had discovered them in Harry Gilbert's
+possession.
+
+"Harry Gilbert is honorably discharged, and the bonds are restored to
+him," said the justice.
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Harry, glancing not without natural exultation,
+at Colonel Ross and Philip.
+
+Philip, by the way, looked as uncomfortable as his father.
+
+Here there was an unexpected and startling interruption.
+
+"I can tell Colonel Ross all about it!" said a distinct voice from near
+the door.
+
+"Come forward then and give your information," said the justice.
+
+This call was answered by Tom Calder, who elbowed his way to the front,
+dressed in his farm attire, and in his shirt sleeves.
+
+Philip's face might have been observed to grow pale when he heard Tom's
+voice, and he looked decidedly sick when the boy walked up to give his
+testimony. Unobserved by any one, for all eyes were fixed upon Tom, he
+edged to the door, and slipped out, in an agony of apprehension, for he
+foresaw what was coming.
+
+"Proceed," said the justice.
+
+"That night when the Colonel missed the bonds," began Tom, "I was coming
+home some time after nine, when I happened to look into the window, and
+there I saw Phil Ross with his father's little trunk open before him. I
+saw him take out a couple of bonds, and slip them into his inside
+pocket. Then he carefully locked the trunk again, laid the keys on the
+desk, and left the room. That's all I saw."
+
+"It's a falsehood!" ejaculated Colonel Ross, furiously.
+
+"You just ask Phil about it, Colonel," said Tom, composedly.
+
+Colonel Ross looked around for Philip, but no Philip was to be seen.
+
+"I seed him slip out of the door just as Tom was beginnin' to talk,"
+said a small urchin.
+
+Overcome with mortification, and compelled to suspect that Tom's story
+was true, Colonel Ross hurried home, where he found Philip.
+
+Sternly calling him to account, the Colonel extorted a confession, not
+only that he had taken the bonds, but what had become of them. The
+result was that information was sent to the police of New York, and
+James Congreve was arrested.
+
+I may as well finish this part of the story by saying that Congreve was
+compelled to give up what remained of his ill-gotten gains, but Colonel
+Ross failed to prosecute him, because he could not do so without
+involving his own son also. It was only two months, however, before
+Congreve was detected in a more serious affair, for which he was forced
+to stand trial, and is even now serving a term of imprisonment, received
+as a penalty for the later crime.
+
+As for Philip, he was so mortified and shamed by the exposure of his
+dishonesty, and his attempt to fix the crime upon another, that he asked
+his father to send him to a boarding school at a distance, and his
+request was complied with.
+
+Tom Calder was immediately discharged by Colonel Ross, but within a week
+he was engaged elsewhere at an advanced salary. His new employer was Mr.
+Obed Wilkins, better known to us as Uncle Obed.
+
+If this statement excites surprise, I must refer my readers to the next
+chapter for an explanation.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XLII
+
+                      CONCLUSION
+
+The house of Colonel Ross was the finest in the village, with one
+exception. A certain Mr. Carrington, a city merchant, had, five years
+before, built a country villa surpassing it, a little distance away on
+the same street.
+
+It was provided with handsome grounds, and originally cost, everything
+included, thirty-five thousand dollars, exclusive of furniture.
+
+It was the day after Harry's triumphant acquittal that Uncle Obed
+remarked, casually:
+
+"I hear that Mr. Carrington is anxious to sell his estate."
+
+"I am not surprised," answered Mrs. Gilbert. "He bought it chiefly to
+please a young wife, and her sudden death sadly disturbed all his
+plans."
+
+"I have made some inquiries," continued Uncle Obed, "and find that he is
+willing to sell everything, even to the furniture, for fifteen thousand
+dollars."
+
+"That is a great bargain, for he could scarcely have paid less than
+forty thousand dollars for the whole."
+
+"I have about decided to buy the place," said Mr. Wilkins, quietly.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Gilbert and Harry, in concert.
+
+"Since you both think it will be a good bargain, I think I will buy it,"
+continued Uncle Obed, his eyes twinkling.
+
+"That's a good joke," said Harry.
+
+"No joke at all, as you will find."
+
+"You don't mean to say you can afford to buy such a place?" said Harry,
+in amazement.
+
+"I consider myself worth seventy-five thousand dollars," said Mr.
+Wilkins.
+
+Mrs. Gilbert and Harry stared at him in undisguised astonishment.
+
+"I thought you were a very poor man," said the widow.
+
+"I know you did," said Uncle Obed, laughing.
+
+"What will Colonel Ross say?" wondered Harry.
+
+"I feel more interested in what my niece will say," said the old man.
+
+"I am afraid they will take you away from us, Uncle Obed, when they find
+out that you are rich."
+
+"Not against my will, I think," replied the old man, with quiet
+determination.
+
+"They won't want to send you back to Illinois now."
+
+"I don't know but they will, when they find I won't go with them."
+
+"Do you think of moving into the new house, Mr. Wilkins?" asked Mrs.
+Gilbert, anxiously.
+
+"Yes, I think I shall."
+
+"We shall be sorry to lose you," she said, soberly.
+
+"You are not going to lose me," assured Uncle Obed. "Do you think I am
+going to live alone? I should die of loneliness. No! You and Harry go
+with me, and I shall take the liberty of paying all the expenses of
+housekeeping."
+
+"How kind you are, Uncle Obed," said Harry.
+
+"No, I'm not. I'm a selfish old man, looking out for what will make my
+home happy. And that's not all. Mrs. Gilbert, didn't you tell me you had
+a sister--a dressmaker in New York--in poor health."
+
+"Yes, poor Maria. She is in poor health, but cannot afford a vacation."
+
+"You shall offer her a home with you. There's plenty of room in
+Carrington's house. She will be company for all of us, especially when
+Master Harry goes to college."
+
+"When I go to college!" Harry ejaculated.
+
+"Certainly! Wouldn't you like it?"
+
+"Very much; but it would take so many years, when I could be earning
+nothing."
+
+"I will see that you are provided for, Harry; but I don't want you to go
+away from home at present, if it can be avoided. Isn't there any one in
+the village with whom you can prepare for college?"
+
+"Mr. Rodman, the minister, is an excellent scholar, and I am sure he
+would be glad to take a pupil."
+
+"Then go to see him at once. Tell him I don't want him to work for
+nothing. I will pay him well for his services, and buy him all the
+sticks he needs to flog you when you require it."
+
+"That doesn't frighten me," said Harry, smiling.
+
+"You will wonder how I became so rich," said Mr. Wilkins, after a pause.
+"I will tell you. Ten years ago I befriended a young man, and furnished
+him the means to go to California. There he prospered, and became very
+rich. A year since he returned, on a visit, and, to my amazement,
+insisted upon my accepting seventy thousand dollars as a free gift.
+This, added to the little property I already had, made me worth rather
+over seventy-five thousand dollars. Recently, feeling lonely, I came
+East, intending, if my relatives here received me kindly, to make my
+home with them, and make Philip Ross my heir. You know how my
+expectations were disappointed. It was a grief to me, but it is all
+right now. I look upon you and your mother as relatives, and I intend to
+treat you as such, and, in return, I know you will provide me with a
+happy home during my few remaining years."
+
+It is needless to say what hearty assurances Uncle Obed received that
+his happiness would be consulted, and secured, so far as Harry and his
+mother were able to effect it.
+
+The next day Uncle Obed, accompanied by Harry, went to the city, and
+returned the owner of the Carrington estate.
+
+The Gilberts immediately began to make arrangements for moving into the
+new house. No sooner did Colonel Ross and his family receive a hint of
+what was going on than in amazement Mrs. Ross called at the little
+cottage, where she found all in confusion.
+
+"Is it true, Uncle Obed," asked Mrs. Ross, abruptly, "that you are a
+rich man?"
+
+"I believe so, Niece Lucinda," answered the old man, meekly.
+
+"I am so glad," said Mrs. Ross, with suavity. "We all rejoice in your
+good fortune, dear uncle! And now, Uncle Obed, you must come over to our
+house at once. We will set aside the best room for you, and we will try
+to make you happy. This little house is not suitable for you."
+
+"So I thought, and for that reason I have bought the Carrington place."
+
+"So I heard," said Mrs. Ross; "but, of course, you won't think of living
+there alone?"
+
+"No; Mrs. Gilbert and Harry will live with me there."
+
+Mrs. Ross darted a glance of hatred and suspicion at the widow, whom she
+mentally accused of scheming for Uncle Obed's wealth.
+
+"Better let the place, and come to live with us, dear Uncle Obed," she
+said, sweetly.
+
+"No, thank you. We'll be good neighbors, Niece Lucinda, and I shall be
+glad to exchange calls; but I want a home of my own."
+
+And to this determination Mr. Wilkins adhered, in spite of all his niece
+could say.
+
+So Harry and his mother and his aunt took up their residence at the fine
+Carrington house, which Uncle Obed took care to support in a befitting
+manner, though not extravagantly.
+
+He bought a horse and carriage, and engaged Tom Calder as a stable boy,
+as we have already hinted. Harry began at once to prepare for college,
+under the care of the minister.
+
+Five years have passed away. He is now at Yale College, but comes home
+often to see his mother and Uncle Obed. He is one of the highest
+scholars in his class, and Uncle Obed is proud of his success.
+
+He is recognized as the heir of Mr. Wilkins, much to the chagrin of Mrs.
+Lucinda Ross and family.
+
+Philip is a spendthrift, and is giving his parents serious anxiety. He,
+too, entered college; but was expelled the first year. It is to be hoped
+he will some day turn over a new leaf.
+
+For Harry I confidently expect a useful and honorable career, and I am
+sure that all my young readers will rejoice at the prosperity which has
+come to the struggling boy.
+
+
+
+                        THE END
+
+
+
+A. L. Burt's Catalogue of Books for Young People by Popular Writers,
+52-58 Duane Street, New York
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+Joe's Luck: A Boy's Adventures in California. By HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+The story is chock full of stirring incidents, while the amusing
+situations are furnished by Joshua Bickford, from Pumpkin Hollow, and
+the fellow who modestly styles himself the "Rip-tail Roarer, from Pike
+Co., Missouri." Mr. Alger never writes a poor book, and "Joe's Luck" is
+certainly one of his best.
+
+Tom the Bootblack; or, The Road to Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the Bootblack. He was not at all
+ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to better
+himself. The lad started for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. Mr.
+Grey, the uncle, did not hesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad.
+The plan failed, and Gilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a
+comfortable fortune. This is one of Mr. Alger's best stories.
+
+Dan the Newsboy. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+Dan Mordaunt and his mother live in a poor tenement, and the lad is
+pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling papers in the streets of
+New York. A little heiress of six years is confided to the care of the
+Mordaunts. The child is kidnapped and Dan tracks the child to the house
+where she is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the little
+heiress is so delighted with Dan's courage and many good qualities that
+she adopts him as her heir.
+
+Tony the Hero: A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By HORATIO ALGER,
+JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1. 00.
+
+Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control of
+Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal. After much abuse Tony runs away and
+gets a job as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is heir to a large
+estate. Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws him down a
+deep well. Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided for him, and by
+a brave act, a rich friend secures his rights and Tony is prosperous. A
+very entertaining book.
+
+The Errand Boy; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+12mo, cloth illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a smart
+country lad. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper named
+Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for the hero's subsequent
+troubles. A retired merchant in New York secures him the situation of
+errand boy, and thereafter stands as his friend.
+
+Tom Temple's Career. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+Tom Temple is a bright, self-reliant lad. He leaves Plympton village to
+seek work in New York, whence he undertakes an important mission to
+California. Some of his adventures in the far west are so startling that
+the reader will scarcely close the book until the last page shall have
+been reached. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating
+style.
+
+Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely determines to make a living for
+himself and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains a
+situation as cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders a service to a
+wealthy old gentleman who takes a fancy to the lad, and thereafter helps
+the lad to gain success and fortune.
+
+Tom Thatcher's Fortune. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, unselfish boy. He supports his
+mother and sister on meagre wages earned as a shoe-pegger in John
+Simpson's factory. Tom is discharged from the factory and starts
+overland for California. He meets with many adventures. The story is
+told in a way which has made Mr. Alger's name a household word in so
+many homes.
+
+The Train Boy. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother and
+sister by selling books and papers on the Chicago and Milwaukee
+Railroad. He detects a young man in the act of picking the pocket of a
+young lady. In a railway accident many passengers are killed, but Paul
+is fortunate enough to assist a Chicago merchant, who out of gratitude
+takes him into his employ. Paul succeeds with tact and judgment and is
+well started on the road to business prominence.
+
+Mark Mason's Victory. The Trials and Triumphs of a Telegraph Boy. By
+HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+Mark Mason, the telegraph boy, was a sturdy, honest lad, who pluckily
+won his way to success by his honest manly efforts under many
+difficulties. This story will please the very large class of boys who
+regard Mr. Alger as a favorite author.
+
+A Debt of Honor. The Story of Gerald Lane's Success in the Far West. By
+HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+The story of Gerald Lane and the account of the many trials and
+disappointments which he passed through before he attained success, will
+interest all boys who have read the previous stories of this delightful
+author.
+
+Ben Bruce. Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy. By HORATIO ALGER, JR.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price S1.00.
+
+Ben Bruce was a brave, manly, generous boy. The story of his efforts,
+and many seeming failures and disappointments, and his final success,
+are most interesting to all readers. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's
+most fascinating style.
+
+The Castaways; or, On the Florida Reefs. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+This tale smacks of the salt sea. From the moment that the Sea Queen
+leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the
+coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through
+her rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the
+leeward. The adventures of Ben Clark, the hero of the story and Jake the
+cook, cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young people Mr.
+Otis is a prime favorite.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tin Box, by Horatio Alger
+
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