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diff --git a/old/60978-0.txt b/old/60978-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9f48501..0000000 --- a/old/60978-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6066 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Will Somers, the Boy Detective, by Charles Morris - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Will Somers, the Boy Detective - -Author: Charles Morris - -Release Date: December 20, 2019 [EBook #60978] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILL SOMERS, THE BOY DETECTIVE *** - - - - -Produced by Demian Katz, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(Northern Illinois University Digital Library at -http://digital.lib.niu.edu/) - - - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_), and text -enclosed by equal signs is in bold (=bold=). - -Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end. - - * * * * * - -BEADLE’S POCKET Library - -Copyrighted, 1885, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. Entered at the Post Office at -New York, N. Y., as Second Class Mail Matter. March 18, 1885. - -=Vol. V.= $2.50 a Year. Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, NO. 98 -WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK. Price, Five Cents. =No. 62.= - - - - -WILL SOMERS, THE BOY DETECTIVE. - - -BY CHARLES MORRIS. - -[Illustration: “SHALL I LAY YOU OUT A PIECE OF THIS? IT’S DOG CHEAP. -JUST LOOK AT THAT STUFF.”] - - * * * * * - -Will Somers, THE BOY DETECTIVE. - -BY CHARLES MORRIS. - - - - -CHAPTER I. LOOKING FOR WORK. - - -“Got any opening in these diggin’s for a feller of my size and good -looks?” - -The speaker was a boy of some sixteen years of age, a well-built, -athletic lad, the sinewy development of his limbs showing through more -than one rent in his well-worn clothes. - -His claim to good looks was indisputable. A bright black eye gave -character to a face of classical outline, straggling curls of dark hair -hanging low over his olive-hued cheeks and brow, while his nose and -mouth had all the fine curves of the Grecian type. - -“What do you want?” asked the gentleman addressed, in a curt tone. - -“Well, I ain’t partik’lar,” drawled the boy. “I want a job. Most -anything will do. Say cashier, or head clerk.” - -The merchant twisted himself around in his chair and looked at the -speaker. The latter bore his sharp look unabashed, standing in an -erect, easy attitude. - -“Suppose I don’t want a cashier?” - -“Maybe then you’d give me a job to make fires and run errands.” - -“Who told you I wanted a boy?” - -“A counter-jumper outside there. I axed him if there was room in this -row for a smart young man, and he said he guessed you wanted a partner. -So I jest stepped back to see if I wouldn’t suit.” - -A frown came upon the merchant’s brow as he heard of this impudent -action of one of his clerks. - -“Who told you this?” he sharply asked. - -“Now look ye here, mister,” said the boy, impressively; “that’s not my -lay. I don’t tell tales out of school. I wouldn’t blow on a cat if I -caught her stealing a mouse in another man’s kitchen.” - -“Get out of here then. I am busy and don’t want to be bothered.” - -“See here now,” said the boy, leisurely seating himself in a chair. -“You’re not sayin’ nothing about that job. You’ve got a dozen men out -there in the store, and I don’t see a boy in the shanty. Now you can’t -run a place like this without a wide-awake boy, and I’m jest the feller -you want.” - -“You have impudence enough to run it yourself,” said the merchant, -looking more closely at his importunate visitor. - -“Wouldn’t be afeard to try,” said the boy, saucily, putting to his -lips a half-smoked cigar which he had all this time held in his -hand, and taking a long whiff. “I’ve a notion I could make dry-goods -spin amazing. Jest hand me the reins and I bet I put her through at -two-forty.” - -The merchant laid aside the papers which he had been examining. He -pushed back his chair from the table and faced his visitor. - -He was a hale, handsome man of some fifty years of age, somewhat -imperious in manner, but with a strong sense of humor in his face. He -seemed to think that he had met an original character. - -“What is your name?” asked the merchant. - -“Will Somers.” - -“Where do you live?” - -“In this here big town of Philadelphia, but in a little street that I -s’pose you never heered the name of. I make myself at home anywhere, -though.” - -“So it seems,” said the merchant, glancing at the handsome appointments -of his private office, and then at the ragged dress of the boy. - -“It’s only my coat and pants that’s torn,” said the latter, with an air -of pride. “I’m all right inside, I bet there’s not a coon in these -diggin’s can jump further, run faster, or lift more than me. And I -never seen the day yet I was afeard of work! Now how about that job, -mister?” - -“Leonard,” said the merchant. - -“Mr. Leonard, I mean. I’ve been a-waiting to get holt of the north end -of your name.” - -The merchant looked closely at his precocious visitor, who, to the age -of a boy, added the self-assertion and experience of a grown man. The -latter leaned back with easy assurance in his chair, and seemed indeed -“at home.” - -“What have you been used to doing?” asked Mr. Leonard. - -“What ain’t I been used to would be a bit more like it,” said Will, -resting his two elbows on the table. “Blackin’ boots, and sellin’ -papers, and holdin’ hosses has been my big holts, but I’ve dipped into -’most everything else ’cept preaching.” - -“You have been a little vagabond, I suppose, all your life, and know as -much of the world as men ought to at twenty-five.” - -“If there’s a feller inside of ten miles of here that says I ever -done anything mean, I can lick that feller; that’s me!” cried Will, -indignantly. - -“Do you know Philadelphia well?” - -“Does a cat know milk? Bet I do. Could navigate it with my eyes shet.” - -“Are your parents living?” - -“Dunno ’bout my dad,” said Will. “’Spect I’m an orphan. Me and sis was -drapped in this here town when we was like young kittens. A big white -house, t’other side the Schuylkill, was our head-quarters. Dad sloped. -Never heered of him since.” - -“The poor-house, eh?” said Mr. Leonard. “You have a sister?” - -“Yes. She’s slipped, too. Was took out when I was a baby. Never see’d -her since. Hope the girl’s sound. Know I’ve had mighty hard hoein’.” - -There was a touch of feeling in Will’s voice which he sought to hide by -greater recklessness of manner. Evidently he had a secret yearning for -his lost sister. - -Mr. Leonard was silent for several minutes before again speaking. He -seemed to be debating something within himself. - -“So you want to learn something of business?” he at length said. - -“You’ve hit that nail square on the head,” said Will, with energy. “I’m -gettin’ too big to shove the brush, or handle the extras. What’s more, -I’m not goin’ to be a poor critter all my life. I want a bizz that’s -got money in it. I’ve sot my eye on a brown-stone shanty up Broad -street. If it’s for sale ten years from now I’m in the market.” - -Mr. Leonard laughed slightly at the boy’s tone of confidence. - -“Fortunes ain’t made as quickly as you fancy, my lad,” he said. - -“If I don’t hang my hat up in that shanty, you can count me out,” said -Will. - -“The saucy young rascal has the making of a business man in him,” said -Mr. Leonard, to himself. “I would much rather have a boy that aimed -high than one that aimed low. He is a handsome lad, too, and if better -dressed would be quite presentable. I have half a notion to try him, -with all his impudence. He is a perfect specimen of the street Arab, -but he seems quick and intelligent.” - -“How about that job?” asked Will, impatiently. “I’m bound to strike -one, somewhere, afore night. I’ve give you the refusal. The man that -gets me makes a ten-strike, and no braggin’.” - -“If I should give you employment could I depend on you to do what you -were told?” - -“What I was told?” said Will, rising impulsively to his feet. “I -wouldn’t give a smashed cent for the feller who couldn’t do more than -he was told.” - -“That would never do,” replied Mr. Leonard. “I want a boy to do just as -he is told.” - -“And what chance is there for genius, then, if a feller can’t spread a -little?” asked Will, earnestly. “The boy that only does what he’s told -won’t never get to Congress.” - -“And they who act beyond their instructions sometimes get to the -State’s prison, my boy. If I give you a position you must learn to -never take a step without orders.” - -“I can try,” said Will, with a comical leer, “but it’ll go mighty -ag’in’ the grain.” - -Their conversation was interrupted at this point by the entrance of a -person into the office. - -He seemed to be one of Mr. Leonard’s employes, and was a tall, well -built man, but dressed with a foppish vanity that at once attracted the -boy’s attention. - -He looked with surprise at the merchant’s strange visitor, a look of -disdain coming upon his face, as he drew somewhat back, as if in fear -of contamination. Will glanced at him from head to foot, with a steady, -impudent stare. - -“The Everhart is in,” he said. “The Danton shipment of silks on board. -I have just received notice.” - -“That is good news, Wilson,” replied Mr. Leonard. “The market is just -ready for them. See to the custom-house charges at once. We must have -them in store as soon as possible.” - -“I will attend to it,” he said with a somewhat pompous air. - -With another look of supercilious wonder at Will he left the room. - -“Who’s that cove?” asked the latter. - -“That is Mr. Augustus Wilson, my principal bookkeeper.” - -“He is a hoss, he is,” said Will, with a contemptuous puff. “A man -of his size dressed like a peacock, and biting off his words like a -school-girl. I bet he’s a dose.” - -“If I should give you employment, Will, you must learn to curb your -tongue, and not be so insolent to the men in the store. They would not -stand impudence from a boy.” - -“I’ll get along with them. Don’t you be afeard,” said Will, with a look -of confidence on his handsome face. “I’ve got along with folks all my -life, and never been kicked yet. But I’m doubtful if I won’t be callin’ -that cove Gus. He’s a gay feller to Mister, he is.” - -“You will not stay here long, my lad, if you do. I warn you of that. He -is my principal employe, and must be treated with respect. Understand -me. Impudence will not serve.” - -“All right, Mr. Leonard. But I know I’ll have a fight every time I go -to say Mister. Gus will be coming up. When am I to take hold?” - -“Come round this hour to-morrow and I will let you know my decision,” -said Mr. Leonard, turning again to his papers. - -“That won’t gee,” said Will, positively. “If you want me you’d best say -so and be done with it. I’m bound to fetch work to-day.” - -“Very well,” said the merchant, impatiently. “I will give you a trial. -Now don’t bother me any further.” - -“If you’d said that half an hour ago I wouldn’t bothered you so long,” -said Will, saucily, as he strode out of the room. - - - - -CHAPTER II. STORE LIFE. - - -Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on -Market street. He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, -and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics -were constantly imported by him. - -There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the -store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the -business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity -till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce. - -A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero -duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store. His -employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him -some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc. - -He had succeeded in greatly improving the outward appearance of the -boy, but his mental crookedness was not to be so easily straightened. -Will was essentially the same lad who had spent his life till now in -street avocations, with intervals of fishing, lounging, swimming, -fighting and saucing. - -He took hold of business with a vim that promised well for his future -usefulness, doing the work given him so rapidly and well as to greatly -please his employer. - -But there was no curbing his tongue, and more than one spat occurred -between him and the salesmen, before he had been a day in the store. -Before the end of the first week there was an outbreak which threatened -to end his engagement. - -“Here, boy, take this roll of cloth down to the store and give it to -Mr. Johnson. Look alive, now, he is waiting for it.” - -This imperative address was made by a nervous, quick-spoken salesman, -named Robert Brown. - -Will was employed in opening a case of goods. He looked up with a -glance of disdain. - -“I’ve took in another job,” he said. “Ain’t doin’ two things at once. -You know the way down. Tote it down yourself.” - -“What do you mean, you young rascal?” cried the man, in a passion. “If -you stay in this place you will have to do what you are told or you’ll -be helped. Take this down at once.” - -“What’s goin’ to happen if I don’t?” said Will, dropping the tool he -had been using. - -“I’ll send you spinning down-stairs and out of the store door in a -hurry,” said the man, still fuming. - -“Look here, Mr. Brown, or Bob Brown, if you like it better, maybe -you don’t know that you’re barking up the wrong tree,” said Will, -insolently. “Ordering ain’t in my line. Ask me like a gentleman and -I’ll stand on my head for you; but I’m not a feller that’s used to -bein’ kicked by any man’s toe or tongue, either.” - -“Then you won’t take it down?” - -“I’ll see you so far t’other side of nowhere that a forty-horse team -couldn’t draw you back in a lifetime, afore I’ll take it an inch.” - -Will returned to his former task of opening the case. - -Mr. Brown’s face was purple with rage, and the veins stood out on his -forehead, as he listened to this unexampled rebellion. - -“Why, you ragged young reprobate, who was only brought here by -charity!” he cried, hotly. “Hang me if I don’t kick you down-stairs -myself, and fling the goods after you!” - -Suiting the action to the word he grasped Will with a nervous grip, and -sought to hustle him to the head of the stairs. - -But if ever man caught a Tartar, Mr. Brown had done so in this action. - -Will lifted the iron tool in his hand with an impulse to strike his -assailant. With another impulse he threw it from him, and used his -sinewy limbs with a vigor which Mr. Brown had not dreamed of his -possessing. - -In a moment he had torn loose from his grasp, and by an alert trip had -stretched his foe on his back on the floor. - -“That’s the way I pile up my shingles!” cried Will exultingly. “Come to -time, old hoss. I’ve chawed up better men than you.” - -The language of the street, which he had partly laid aside, came back -to Will in his excitement. - -The furious salesman sprung to his feet and rushed at the boy with -clinched fists. Two other men, who had been engaged with them on the -third floor of the building, hurried up. - -“Hold there, Bob!” cried one of these. “Don’t try that on a boy.” - -“Let him alone,” said Will, as he deftly parried his blows. “He’s -my meat. I wasn’t brung up on free fights to back down from a -counter-hopper.” - -But the man who had spoken pushed between and separated them, just as -Will planted his fist with a stinging blow on Brown’s left cheek. - -“Come, come, Bob!” said the peacemaker, “that’s no way to settle -disputes with a boy. If the fellow has been impudent report him to Mr. -Leonard, but never try your fists on a boy.” - -Mr. Brown did report, and Will was sent for to Mr. Leonard’s office. -Our hero proved a very poor hand at giving evidence in his own favor, -but the men who had separated them described the whole occurrence. - -“Don’t let anything like this happen again,” said Mr. Leonard, after -lecturing Will, severely. “Mr. Brown placed himself in the wrong or I -would have to discharge you. Don’t misuse the confidence I have placed -in you.” - -“All right,” said Will, independently. “But the man that tries to wipe -his feet on me is goin’ to touch ground with his nose, that’s all.” - -This episode did not injure Will’s standing in the store, for Mr. Brown -was not a general favorite. - -His good-humor and willingness to work soon gained him friends, and -faults were excused in him that would have proved fatal otherwise to -his position. - -He had a fine voice, and sung ditties with wonderful vim. He could -dance like a negro minstrel, could tumble like an acrobat, and had more -tricks than a circus clown. - -Nothing pleased him better than to get on one of the upper floors, out -of sight of customers, and treat the admiring clerks to a taste of his -quality. - -His chief trouble, in such cases, sprung from the new clothes in which -Mr. Leonard had dressed him. - -“It’s a gallus rig. I’ll give in,” he said, “but I ain’t been used to -fancy fixin’s. There goes the coat, and here goes the vest, and up go -the sleeves, and now I’m in trim for work. P’int out what you want done -and I’m in.” - -“Nothing just now, Will. Let us have that ole Virginny break-down.” - -“Yes, I see myself waltzing round on my ear for you, and no pianner -music, and not even a jews-harp. Don’t dance till I hear a tune. -Whistle up, somebody, my boot-soles is itching.” - -One of the men whistled a quick tune, and Will’s feet rattled over the -floor in the most astonishing steps, relieving his feelings now and -then by a somerset, or a dance on his hands. - -“Hi, lads! let the music out,” he cried. “That’s your style! Heel and -toe. Ain’t I a screamer? Just observe me.” - -The next instant he was at the top of a high step-ladder, singing a -negro melody for dear life, and keeping time with hands and feet on the -boards. - -“Hush! here comes Mr. Leonard,” cried a scout. “He has heard all that -rascally noise. Limber up and get to work _quick_.” - -The men hastened to various avocations, somewhat to Will’s surprise. He -was as honest as the sun, and would never have thought of such deceit. -He had, all his life, fathered all his actions. - -When Mr. Leonard appeared, Will was seated in his shirt-sleeves on a -dry-goods box, whistling in a low tone, and keeping time with his heels. - -Mr. Leonard looked inquiringly around, a look of displeasure on his -face. - -“What has been going on here!” he asked, sharply. “I heard an uproar -all the way down to my office. You are all suddenly at work. What have -you been doing, boy?” - -“Nothing. Only killing time,” said Will, indifferently. “We kinder run -out of work, and I wanted to learn these fellows a South street wharf -break-down. Want to see me do it?” - -Will jumped from his box and struck an attitude. - -“No. And I want less noise and commotion. If you wish to stay in my -employment you must learn to curb yourself a little. Let us have no -more such performances.” - -“You suit me fu’st-rate so fur. Got no notion of dischargin’ you yet,” -said Will. “But what’s to be done? I can’t hold in. It’s out of the -question. There’d be something bu’st sure.” - -“Well,” said Mr. Leonard, turning on his heel to hide a broad smile. “I -must give you some out-door work--send you on errands. Can I trust you -to do them correctly?” - -“I dunno. Won’t make no promises. You can try me. That’s the way -to find out. I know everything and everybody out of doors; that’s -something.” - -“Very well; I will try you.” - -Thenceforth Will varied his store duties with out-door avocations, his -quick and intelligent performance of which gave much satisfaction. - - - - -CHAPTER III. MR. LEONARD’S VISITOR. - - -It was two or three days after the last-narrated events that a slender, -keen-eyed person stopped in front of Mr. Leonard’s store. He was -dressed in grayish clothes, and wore a wide-rimmed hat. - -He glanced up at the lofty iron front, reaching five stories high, and -then briskly entered the store, threading his way back between the open -cases of goods which covered the long floor to the counting-house. - -Sending in his card he was at once admitted to Mr. Leonard’s private -office. - -“Take a seat, Mr. Fitler,” said Mr. Leonard, pushing aside his papers. - -Rising, he carefully closed the door and seated himself near the -visitor. - -“You received my message, then?” - -“Yes, sir. You have need of my services?” - -“I wish your advice, at any rate. But first, does any of my men know -you?” - -“I think not. I know none of them.” - -“I have here an invoice of silks shipped me from Lyons, France, by -Danton & Co. There were two cases of these goods, valued, as you see, -at ten thousand dollars. The ship Everhart, which had them in freight, -reached Philadelphia two weeks ago. Her cargo was duly discharged, and -the goods deposited in the Government warehouse.” - -“Why not brought at once to your store?” asked Mr. Fitler, drumming -with his fingers on the table. - -“Such was my intention, and I directed my confidential clerk, Mr. -Wilson, to pay the duties, and see that they were brought here. He -did the first, and obtained the Government order for their delivery, -which was locked up in my presence, in the fire-proof there. He was -hindered from doing the second by news of the death of a near relative -in Harrisburg, whose funeral he was obliged to attend.” - -“I perceive. What next?” said Mr. Fitler. - -“A few words will conclude. On his return yesterday he went to the safe -for the custom-house delivery-order. It was gone.” - -“Were you present?” - -“Yes.” - -“Had you seen it in his absence?” - -“No. Why do you ask?” - -“Only for a full statement of facts.” - -“You will please understand that no possible suspicion attaches to Mr. -Wilson, even if his absence did not preclude it. He has been in my -service for ten years, and is incorruptible.” - -“Certainly,” said Mr. Fitler, in an indifferent tone. “Somebody else -has taken it. But that is not all?” - -“No. I have just learned that the order was presented at the bonded -warehouse last Tuesday by a gentlemanly-dressed person, accompanied by -a drayman. The necessary entries were made, and the goods delivered.” - -“And where are they now?” - -“That is what I want to find out.” - -“This is a bold robbery, Mr. Leonard,” said the visitor, with energy. -“It looks very much as if the black sheep was in your own store. Is -there any one whom you suspect?” - -“There is none.” - -“Who has access to your safe?” - -“Any of my book-keepers. Three or four of them are obliged to enter my -office, in my absence, in the regular discharge of their duties.” - -“What is the record of these three or four men?” - -“The best. They are all steady, quiet business men, married and living -moderately. I know them all well.” - -“These smooth-watered wells are sometimes very deep,” said Mr. Fitler. -“Have you any new hands?” - -“Yes. One, whom I took on two weeks ago.” - -“Ha!” said the visitor, interested. “Could he enter your office without -suspicion?” - -“He could. I have employed him as a messenger.” - -“Every confidence in him, too?” - -“I think him thoroughly honest.” - -“You have too much trust in human nature, Mr. Leonard,” said his -visitor, with a shrug. “If you were in my profession you would have -very little. I would like to see this new hand. Can you call him in on -some pretense?” - -“You have seen him. He is the messenger I sent for you.” - -“What? That boy? He in your employment? Well, that beats!” Mr. Fitler -leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily but silently. - -“Do you know him?” asked Mr. Leonard, with some displeasure. - -“Know him? I should think so. Who don’t know Willful Will? That is his -street name. Why, I thought you had picked him up at your door and -sent him after me. He did look strange at me. I never saw him in a -whole suit of clothes before. The idea of his settling down to steady -business! Just call him in; I would like to talk with him.” - -“He is not in at present. I sent him, this morning, out to my -residence, near Germantown.” - -“Is Mr. Wilson at hand?” - -“Yes. I will call him.” - -Mr. Leonard went to the door of the office and asked for Mr. Wilson. -The latter was in the counting-room, and immediately entered. - -The keen eyes of the visitor were fixed on him as he came in, taking in -at a glance, as it seemed, every detail of his face, form and dress. - -“Mr. Wilson, this is Mr. Fitler, a detective officer from the central -station,” said the merchant. “I have sent for him to investigate that -affair of the robbery.” - -“I hope he can help us in it,” said Mr. Wilson, as he quietly seated -himself. - -“The rascals were wide-awake, Mr. Wilson,” said the detective, “in -taking advantage of your trip to Harrisburg. Was the fact that you had -paid the duties and could not attend to taking the goods out of bond -talked about in the store?” - -“It was no secret in the counting-room,” said Mr. Wilson. - -“What is your opinion of the book-keepers, sir?” - -“I have full confidence in them. They are only men, to be sure, and may -have talked outside.” - -“Could the store have been entered at night?” - -“No, no,” said Mr. Leonard. “Nothing has been tampered with. The order -was stolen in the daytime, while the safe was open.” - -“How does the store-keeper at the bonded warehouse describe the parties -who took away the goods?” - -“In a very vague fashion,” replied Mr. Wilson. “He could not have -noticed them closely. His description did not remind me of anybody I -knew.” - -Mr. Fitler watched him as he spoke, seeming attracted by his foppish -dress and stilted manner of speaking. - -“I will see the store-keeper myself,” he answered. “It is unlucky -that you were called away at such a time, Mr. Wilson. Was it a near -relative?” - -“A first cousin,” he replied. - -“Ah! I am somewhat acquainted in Harrisburg. What name, pray?” - -“Miles Sartain,” answered Mr. Wilson, with composure. - -“The name is not familiar. I thought I might have known him,” said the -officer carelessly. - -“I will drop in myself to-morrow, and look round,” he continued. “You -may not know me, but don’t be surprised if a stranger makes himself -at home. I will see the store-keeper this afternoon, and will set the -police authorities to work to try and trace these missing goods.” - -He bowed himself out of the office, leaving Mr. Wilson and his employer -in busy conversation. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. WILL MAKES A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. - - -Meanwhile Willful Will, as the officer had called him, was on his way -to Mr. Leonard’s country-seat. He bore a note addressed to a Miss -Jennie Arlington, a resident of the merchant’s house, which he was -directed to deliver into her own hands without delay, and wait for any -return message. - -The mansion was a broad-fronted, brown-stone edifice, richly -ornamented, and surrounded with beautifully-kept grounds, in which now -a host of flowers were in bloom. - -Seen from the front, through the vailing screen of leaves and blossoms, -it seemed an abode of wealth and taste very attractive to any artistic -eye. Even Will paused for five minutes, in a day-dream, gazing in. The -boy was not without the poetic instinct. - -He was stirred from his reverie by the approach of a servant-woman to -the gate. - -“Say, you there,” cried Will, as she turned back. “This Mr. Leonard’s?” - -“Yes,” was the answer. - -“All square, then. I want to see Jennie.” - -“See who?” asked the woman, in surprise. - -“Jennie. You know. Can’t go her last name. Slipped clean out of my -head.” - -“Miss Arlington is not in. You can’t see her,” said the woman. - -“Bet a hoss that I will,” he replied, positively. “Mr. Leonard didn’t -send me here on a fool’s errand. Where is she?” - -“What do you want? I will give her your errand when she comes in.” - -“Maybe so, when you get it,” said Will, mysteriously. “Hope you don’t -kalkerlate to pick up secrets that easy. There’s things it don’t do for -everybody to know. Where is the gal?” - -“She is down there in the wood,” said the servant. - -Breaking into a gay ditty, Will hastened off toward the piece of -woodland indicated by the woman. - -The ground sloped downward from the back of the house into a wide -depression that led off toward the Schuylkill. This was occupied by a -piece of fine woodland, the trees growing straight and tall, while the -undergrowth had been mostly removed, leaving long, green vistas. - -The country was now arrayed in all its June-tide beauty, while flowers -lent a rich charm to the fields, and the fresh green of spring arrayed -every tree. - -The old vagabond instinct rose in him as he sauntered on, now chasing -a gorgeous butterfly, now following the flight of some swift bird, now -stopping to listen to a trill of woodland music, now taking a wild roll -in the grass. - -His cap was soon adorned with daisies and buttercups; violets peeped -from his button-holes, and he gathered a bouquet of yellow dandelions -as if he thought them choice flowers. - -“If this ain’t gay I don’t know beans!” he cried, exultingly. “Wouldn’t -I like to live out here! Bet I’d go a-fishin’ every day, and a-swimmin’ -every other. I’ll go a hoss there ain’t a tree in that woods I can’t -climb. Got a notion to shin up some of them just for fun.” - -But a frisking ground-squirrel took his attention, and drove out of his -head the project of tree-climbing. - -This fellow chased to his hole, other objects attracted Will’s -delighted eyes, and led him step by step into the woods. - -Finally, some sounds behind a thin screen of bushes attracted his -notice. He drew carefully up and looked through. There on a flat stone, -beside a flowing brook, sat a young lady, her lap full of wild flowers, -which she was forming into a bouquet. - -She seemed quite young, at furthest not more than eighteen, and was -very beautiful as she sat there all unconscious of stranger’s eyes. -She was tall and well formed, with a face of most classic outline--the -general contour of the features not unlike Will’s own. But the cheek -had a peachy bloom which his had long lost, and a gentle, womanly -expression replaced his saucy independence. - -“Sell me out if she ain’t a beauty!” said Will enthusiastically. “Them -long curls is scrumptious. Wonder if she’s my game? I’ll give her a -start, just for fun.” - -Placing his two hands to his mouth the woods rung with a long, clear -call of “Jennie!” - -The girl sprung up, dropping most of her flowers, and looked round in -alarm. - -“Jennie!” again rung out in Will’s deep, musical tones. - -“Who calls?” she said, with parted lips, standing like a statue of -flight. - -Her question was answered by a crash in the bushes, and the appearance -of a figure coming with a double somerset into her presence. - -“You, Jennie?” asked Will, standing suddenly on his feet before her. - -She looked at the sturdy, handsome lad with a look in which trepidation -was mingled with amusement. - -“I am Miss Arlington,” she replied, with dignity. “What do you mean by -calling me in that manner, and coming into a lady’s presence like a -mountebank?” - -“That’s the way I always come in,” said Will, impressively. “And you -looked so pretty sitting there I wanted to give you a start.” - -“Don’t do it again. It is not manly behavior,” she replied. “What do -you want with me?” - -“I’ve got a ’pistle,” said Will, fumbling in his pockets, “that Mr. -Leonard guv me for you.” - -“Mr. Leonard? Are you the new store-boy that he has told me of?” she -asked, as she opened the letter. - -“Been a-talkin’ about me, has he?” asked Will. “Hope he ain’t gone back -on me. Bet he can’t find jist sich another in these diggin’s.” - -“He said that you were a good intentioned boy, and that he might make -something of you, if he could only cure you of your impudence.” - -“Well, that’s clever in him. Mebbe he don’t know the job he’s takin’ -in. Mought jist as well try to cure a grapevine from twisting.” - -“Come with me to the house,” said Miss Arlington, on reading the -letter. “I am to send a package back by you.” - -“Lucky it ain’t a cook-stove, or something else nice and handy to -carry,” said Will, as he walked on beside his new acquaintance. “Live -with Mr. Leonard?” - -“I do.” - -“How old mought you be?” asked Will, earnestly. - -“That is no question to ask a lady,” she replied, with a smile. - -“Oh, we’re not playin’ gentleman and lady; we’re playin’ boy and gal. -You’re not come out yet, or not engaged, or nothin’ of that nonsense, -are you?” - -“That is another question that you have no business to ask.” - -“I’d like to know how I’d ever learn anything if I didn’t ask -questions? That’s the way I come to be so wide-awake.” - -The young lady, who had been a little angry at his questions, could not -help laughing. - -“You are an odd boy,” she said. “If I was in want of a confidant I -might accept you. I will tell you this much; I _am_ engaged.” - -“Well, now, that’s bad,” said Will. “Can’t you break with the feller? -Give him the sack. Tell him you’ve a notion to go to Californy, and -don’t want no company. Sling him somehow.” - -“Why should I?” she asked, turning her brilliant brown eyes on Will. - -“Now, don’t look at me that way or I can’t tell you,” he said, with -affected bashfulness. “Jist turn your eyes away for a minute.” - -“Well, go on,” she replied, turning away. - -“I like you, gal, and there’s no joke in _that_. Can’t you jist sling -the other feller, and wait for me? I’m goin’ to be a rich man, you can -bet on that.” - -“Do you want an answer now?” she asked, in a constrained tone. - -“If it comes handy to you, I’d just as lieve.” - -“Here it is, then,” she replied, giving him a ringing box on the ear. - -With a laugh she sprung through the gate, which they had just reached, -and hurried into the house, leaving Will completely crestfallen. - -She did not reappear, but sent a servant with the package which Will -was to take back. He trudged off reflectively toward the cars. - -“Got served right, I s’pose,” he said, “for I _was_ imperdent. But I -ain’t done with the gal yet. Bet I give her as good as she sent.” - - - - -CHAPTER V. UNDER LOCK AND KEY. - - -“I do not know what to make of this,” said Mr. Leonard, as he sat -with a bank-book and a package of canceled checks in his hand. “I am -positive that my account is not overdrawn. This settlement makes me -five hundred dollars short, where I should have at least one thousand -dollars to my credit.” - -“It is very strange,” said Mr. Wilson. “We have never found an error in -our account with the Mechanic’s Bank before.” - -“They paid my check without hesitation?” - -“Certainly. They would have paid it if it had been ten thousand. Your -credit is unsullied.” - -“I don’t understand this, and don’t like it,” said Mr. Leonard, -gravely. “Let us go over these checks and deposits. The bank may be in -error. I have here my private check-book, which Will has just brought -from my house; I think it likely some personal check of mine may have -gone to the wrong bank. Call off the checks, and I will compare them -with the check-book entries.” - -They proceeded to do so, Mr. Leonard taking the memoranda and his -bookkeeper called out the amounts and dates of the checks. - -“Fifteen hundred and seventy-three,” he repeated. “I don’t find that. -What date is it?” - -“May 23d.” - -“Are you sure? There is no such check of that date in either book. To -whose order is it drawn?” - -“To Gilbert, Cook & Co., or bearer,” said Mr. Wilson, looking up with a -glance in which a doubt was struggling. - -“But we owed them no such amount. They were paid in full on the 15th,” -said Mr. Leonard, in excitement. “And they never would have asked for a -check to be drawn to _bearer_. Let me see that.” - -He snatched it out of Mr. Wilson’s hand, in his excitement. - -“By Heaven!” cried the merchant, rising hastily to his feet. “I never -wrote that signature. It is a forgery.” - -The two men looked at each other with half affrighted glances. - -“Can it be possible?” cried Mr. Wilson. - -“Possible? It is a fact!” was the vehement answer. “The signature is -good. I might be deceived by it myself, only that I know I did not -write it. This is a bad business, Wilson.” - -“A terribly bad business,” was the reply. “Who could have done it? -There is a black sheep in our midst.” - -“_Can_ there be?” said the merchant, turning pale as he thought of the -late robbery from his safe. “Do you suspect any one?” - -“No one but yourself, sir,” said Wilson, in his slow, stilted manner. -“I suspect you of undue faith in human nature. If you choose to take -into your store a street boy of notorious character, what can you -expect?” - -“What do you mean?” said Mr. Leonard, in arms for his _protege_. - -“I mean that that boy’s coming here was not without an object. I -suspected from the first that he might have been sent here as the tool -of some designing knaves, who knew your easy disposition.” - -“You have no right to talk this way, Wilson.” - -“Indeed I have,” said the clerk, with energy. “There is plainly a thief -in your store. Yet the character of everybody here has been proved -by years of trust. Two weeks ago you introduced here a boy of very -doubtful antecedents, and in that two weeks two serious robberies have -been consummated. What is the natural conclusion?” - -“Where is the boy? Let us have him here,” said Mr. Leonard, moving -angrily to the door. - -“No, no! that is no way to act,” cried Wilson. “He is a keen knave; you -will put him on his guard.” - -“You are right. I was going to act hastily. It does look suspicious for -the boy. But I cannot believe him guilty without positive evidence.” - -“You must go a different way to get it. Give this matter to the -detective, along with the other. I warrant he will make something of -it.” - -“I will do so,” said Mr. Leonard. “This troubles me sadly, Wilson. -After fifteen years of business to find myself suddenly the sport of a -daring thief and forger. What can be done?” - -“Nothing, but to watch and wait,” said Wilson, calmly. “I do suspect -that boy. I firmly believe that he is the stool-pigeon of some bold and -expert villains. I see nothing we can do now but to have him closely -watched, and learn all his associations. That the detective can do far -better than we.” - -“We will leave it in his hands, then,” said Mr. Leonard, closing his -check-book with a determined snap. - -Meanwhile the subject of this conversation was giving a touch of his -quality to the salesmen. - -“Say what you please,” he remarked, “but Mr. Leonard does live gay. -Never seen a finer shanty; and there’s no end to the roses and posies -around it. Had a high old run through the woods, and come across a -highfalutin’ gal, you bet.” - -“Did you fall in love with her?” - -“Maybe so; though I can’t see it’s any of your biz. She was -scrumptious, I tell you. She lives with Mr. Leonard. The old man had -his back up when I come back, ’cause I staid so long.” - -“He laid you out then?” - -“He told me I had to finish counting them Milton cloths. I told him the -store would be shut up afore I got half through. He said he couldn’t -help that, it was my fault for staying so long.” - -“And what are you going to do?” - -“I’m goin’ to count them, if it takes me all night.” - -“You needn’t mind them. They have already been counted,” said Mr. -Johnson, a salesman who had approached during this talk. “Mr. Leonard -will let you free from the task.” - -“Mebbe he’d best wait till he’s asked!” said Will, resolutely. “I don’t -blow hot and cold with no man, and I don’t let no man blow hot and cold -with me. He laid it onto me heavier than suits me, and now I’m going to -let him see that I can do as I’m told. I don’t keer if everybody in the -store has counted them cloths. That’s my job and I’m bound to put her -through.” - -Will hastened to the cellar stairs, and down into the basement, where -the cases of cloth in question stood, freshly opened. - -He labored on an hour, for two hours, in lifting the heavy rolls of -cloths from the cases, counting, and replacing them. It was quite dark -here, and he lit the gas at the start. He did not, in fact, know how -long he had been engaged, when the light suddenly dimmed and went out. - -Will stood in almost utter darkness, only a faint light entering at the -narrow window. He ran to turn off the gas, not understanding what put -it out. As he did so he heard the clang of a door overhead. - -The truth rushed to his mind. The store had been shut and fastened, the -gas turned off as usual at night, and everybody had gone home, quite -forgetting that he was still in the cellar. - -Will was inclined to be superstitious, and a sense of fright came upon -him as he found himself alone in this lonely, dark room. He groped his -way to the stairs and tried the door. It was firmly bolted. All his -efforts could not move it. He called out at the top of his voice, but -no answer came back. - -“I’m a reg’lar rat in a cage,” he muttered, as he made his way to the -windows, thinking to break a pane and call for help. But they faced on -a deserted alley, and he feared if even he should bring aid, it would -only be to be arrested as a thief. - -“I wonder if there is any ghosts in these diggin’s, as some of the men -say?” he muttered, looking fearfully around. “I don’t like it a bit. -I’ve never been in such a ’tarnal scrape in my life. Blame their eyes, -they know’d I was down here, why didn’t they call me up? I believe it -was done a-purpose. If I don’t be even with some of them yet, you can -sell me.” - -But even a cornered coward grows brave, and Will was no coward. The -superstitious dread could not long hold the mastery over his bold -spirit. It was not long before he threw off the fears which had -troubled him. - -“I ain’t no baby, to be skeered by a shadder,” he said. “Let what will -come I’m goin’ to have a snooze anyhow. I dunno what’s the reason a -feller couldn’t sleep as sound here as in my little eight-by-ten hole -at home! Bet I make a soft bed, and that there ain’t no ghost or sich -bothers itself to waken me up.” - -The bed did not lack softness, after he had opened and spread out yard -after yard of rich, soft goods on the floor, using some of the heavy -cloths he had been counting as a substratum. - -But his slumbers were not sound, for reasons which we have not space to -give here. What Will saw, and what happened to him that night in the -gloomy cellar, must be left for future chapters to declare. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. WILL’S FIRST SALE. - - -No one in Mr. Leonard’s establishment was aware of the fact that a -rat of a new species had made free that night with the contents of -the cellar. Will, for reasons of his own, kept his adventure secret, -appearing in the store the next morning as if he had just walked in -from the street. - -It had not been so easy to remove the traces of his rough usage of the -goods, and he had spent considerable time in smoothing and folding the -cloths and the richer and more fragile materials which had served him -for a bed. - -Something had happened which he considered it important to keep secret, -and he went about his duties with a vim intended to prove that there -was no weight on his mind, but that he was as fresh and free from care -as a daisy. - -“Here, Will,” called Mr. Johnson. “You are wanted front.” - -“All right,” returned Will, cheerfully. “I’m the lad for your money if -it’s anything under a ton weight to carry.” - -It was out of the question, however, for him to proceed soberly through -the store. He went at something like a bat’s flight, taking a case of -goods in his way at a leap. - -There were several dray-loads of goods unloading, and he was busily -occupied for an hour. He was just at leisure again when he observed -a person who had at that moment entered the store, and seemed to be -looking around for a salesman. - -He was a middle-aged person, who seemed from his dress and general -appearance to be from the country, and not much used to city ways. - -Above his flaming red necktie was a face of mingled simplicity and -shrewdness, a beard of a week’s growth, covering the lower portion of -his visage, while flax-like hair escaped from under his wide-brimmed -felt hat and straggled over his forehead. - -Will looked around for a salesman. There was none near. This was a -difficulty he was not long in overcoming. He was intending to learn the -whole business. Why not begin now? - -“Calculatin’ to invest in dry-goods?” he said, addressing the stranger. - -“Why, I’d like to buy a small bill of goods,” said the man, with a -slow, hesitating accent. - -“Hitch hosses, then, and come along here. I’m the man you want. What’ll -you have to-day? Silks, shawls, dress goods? Got some fine new styles -aboard. See here, this is jist the article you want, to a thread.” - -In a trice, Will had partly unrolled a rich fabric of the most delicate -shades of color. - -“Shall I lay you out a piece of this? It’s dog cheap. Just look at that -stuff! Did you ever see anything as handsome? You can feel it, too, if -your fingers are clean. Every spot on that would be a dollar out of -pocket. How many pieces did you say?” - -“No, no,” said the customer, with difficulty restraining Will’s flow -of words. “Silks don’t sell down our way. I’d like to look at the -calicoes.” - -“The what?” said Will, starting back in open-mouthed astonishment. - -“The calicoes,” said the man, hesitating, as if he feared he had made a -serious blunder. - -“Look ye here,” said Will, touching his arm in a patronizing manner. -“What part of Uncle Sam’s farm might you be from?” - -“I’m from Woodenville, down in Bucks county,” said the customer, -drawing back in a timid manner. - -“Kalkerlated so,” replied Will. “Vote for General Jackson last -’lection?” - -“See here, boy,” said the man, a little angrily, “we don’t allow no one -to poke fun at us down our way!” - -“All right, boss; don’t get your back up. I’d a notion they always -run the old general down that way. But, ain’t you got into the wrong -cornfield? Does this shanty look like a calico-shop?” - -“Not much,” said the man, looking round. “You may have some goods, -though, to suit me. We keep a few choice dress goods.” - -“Knowed you did,” said Will, confidently. “See’d it in your eye at -first sight. Knowed you wasn’t no ten-cent calicoer. Can show you goods -from fifty cents a yard to fifty dollars. Trot down this way. I’ll make -your eyes water.” - -Will, proud of his new position, worked his man diligently around the -store, showing him a variety of goods, and asking him a greater variety -of questions, about the state of the crops, what kind of poultry he -preferred, banty or game, how much corn it took to fatten pigs, etc. - -He seemed to have suddenly developed a powerful desire for agricultural -news, and his customer answered him as if pleased with his interest. - -“I’ll have my bill now, please,” said the man, after selecting several -pieces of dress goods. - -“That’s an inch or two out of my line,” answered Will. “The fellers -in the office will put that through. This way. Got to report at the -captain’s office.” - -The clerks looked rather wonderingly at Will’s ushering a customer into -the office, and proceeding with much dignity to introduce him, and -report the items of his purchase to the entry clerk. - -Meanwhile the country customer walked lazily about the office, asking -simple questions of this one and that, and waiting for their replies, -with eyes fixed on their faces as intently as if much hung on the -response. - -“Who did you say kept this store?” he asked of a younger man who was -intently engaged on a huge ledger. - -“Mr. Leonard,” was the short answer. - -“Leonard, hey? I used to know Leonards. Anything to the Bucks county -Leonards?” - -“I don’t know,” snapped the clerk. - -“What might his first name be?” - -“Henry,” said the clerk, plunging again into his figures. - -“Henry. Reckon I know him, then. Is he in?” - -“Your bill is ready, sir,” said another clerk, accosting him. - -“Very well. Hold on to it a minute. I want to see Mr. Leonard.” - -“He is in his private office, and closely engaged. I do not think he -would like to be disturbed.” - -“Oh, he won’t mind me,” said the countryman, confidently. “I know -he will be glad to hear from his uncle Tim, and Jake Leonard, his -first-cousin. You see, I know the family.” - -“I am afraid he is too busy just now. I will ask him if he has time to -see you.” - -“Now, there ain’t no use for that in the world. I won’t trouble him a -bit. Wouldn’t like to get back to Bucks county without I could tell -Jake that I’d had a talk with his relation. Ain’t this the office?” - -“Yes,” said the clerk, doubtfully. - -“I’ll drop in then. There ain’t no use standing on such ceremony.” - -A repressed laugh ran through the office as the simple-minded but -persistent customer opened the door and ushered himself into Mr. -Leonard’s room. - -“He’s green as a cucumber,” said the entry-clerk, as he returned to his -desk. - -Mr. Leonard looked up in surprise as his visitor entered his office, -and stood looking curiously around. - -“Well, sir,” said the merchant, “can I do anything for you?” - -“I reckon not,” said the man, quietly. “Just been buying some goods out -in the store.” - -“Ah! Well, I hope you were suited?” - -“Yes, pretty well.” - -“I am glad to hear that. I hope you will excuse me now. I am very -busily engaged. Will be happy to do anything for you though if I can.” - -“Are you anything to the Bucks county Leonards?” said the customer, -taking a seat instead of taking the merchant’s hint. - -“No. I am not from that part of the country,” said Mr. Leonard, -impatiently. - -“Not, hey? Thought you might be. There’s a Jake Leonard down there, a -real clever fellow. Do you know him? Maybe he is something to you.” - -“I don’t know him.” - -“Well, well, it was just a notion of mine. Go on with your writing. -Don’t let me disturb you.” - -Mr. Leonard resumed his pen, taking his free-and-easy visitor at his -word. The latter stretched himself out indolently, seeming to wonder at -the rapid motion of his host’s pen. - -“You’ve got the regular Leonard nose,” he at length said. “Look enough -like Jake to be his cousin.” - -The merchant pushed back his chair in great annoyance. - -“You will excuse me, sir,” he said, “but I am engaged on important -business. My clerks can attend to you.” - -“I think not,” said the visitor. - -“Why not?” - -“Because I wouldn’t like to post them in my business. You wouldn’t like -me to ask them if there’s anything new in the custom-house robbery.” - -Mr. Leonard rose hastily to his feet, and stood looking with alarmed -visage at the speaker. - -“Who are you?” he asked, in anxious tones. - -“Not the bird whose feathers I wear, you can be sure of that,” said the -man, laughing. “I called on you yesterday, and told you then that I -would be here this morning.” - -“Not Mr. Fitler! That is not possible!” - -“That is my name,” said the visitor, whose face had quite lost its -expression of simplicity. - -He lifted the wide-brimmed hat from his head, and with it came the -straggling yellow locks which had helped to disguise him. - -“I’ve been having a look at your office hands, and asked them a few -questions,” he said. - -“With what result?” - -“None. Appearances are all correct. If there are any rascals among them -they have the wit to keep it out of their looks and voices.” - -“Have you gained any clew to the custom-house fraud?” - -“Not as yet. I have put all the sharp eyes I could on the track. It is -a new style of work, and I don’t know just where to place it among the -professionals.” - -“It is no professional,” said Mr. Leonard. - -“You think so?” remarked Mr. Fitler, looking up. - -“I am sure. Please examine that check. It is my printed form, you see, -and my correct signature.” - -“Well?” - -“It is a forgery.” - -“The deuce! And when did this come in on you?” - -“I discovered it yesterday, after your visit.” - -“The plot is thickening, and is getting narrowed down,” said Mr. -Fitler, curiously. “Do you recognize the writing in the body of the -check?” - -“No. The hand is plainly a disguised one.” - -“Perhaps so. I am not sure. I would like to compare it with the -handwriting in the custom-house entry. Can I have the check for a day -or two?” - -“Certainly.” - -“Tell me all the particulars of the forgery.” - -Mr. Leonard proceeded to give him the information with which the reader -is already acquainted; to which his visitor listened with intense -interest. - -“There’s a deep one at work here, but I bet he’ll have a shallow spot,” -said the detective. “There’s a traitor in your own store. I had best -pay for my goods and take them away. If I act the country customer, I -will have an excuse for often dropping in. Good-day. I have been long -enough here.” - -Resuming his hat, Mr. Fitler left the office. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. TROUBLE IN THE BASEMENT. - - -Mr. Abraham Smith, as the country customer called himself, paid for the -small bill of goods which he had purchased. - -“How shall we ship them?” asked the clerk. - -“You needn’t mind. Just lay them by. Might have to buy something else -before I go back and can have all sent together.” - -“Very well,” said the clerk. “That will be all right.” - -“I’ve got a deal to ’tend to, you see,” said Mr. Smith, confidentially. -“Ain’t seen my city relatives fer two years, and they’re a bit r’iled -about it. Good day, Mr.--What did you say your name was?” - -“Harvey.” - -“Good-day, Mr. Harvey. I’ll call ag’in. I want to have another chat -with Mr. Leonard about family matters.” - -Mr. Smith left the office, quite innocent of the fact that he left a -breeze of amusement behind him. - -Will met him on his way out. - -“Want them things shipped?” he asked. - -“Well, not just now,” said Mr. Smith, slowly. “Lay them away till I -call around ag’in.” - -“What did you say was the best growin’ potater?” asked Will, posting -himself in the doorway. - -“The Peachblows, down our way.” - -“Ain’t Murphies good?” - -Mr. Smith brushed past him as if he was tired of being catechised. - -“I know a durn sight more about ’taters than you do, that’s certain,” -said Will to himself. “There’s somethin’ underhand at work here. If I -don’t twig what it is afore long, my name ain’t Willful Will.” - -“What are you doing here?” said Mr. Wilson, just then entering. “Can -you find no work, that you must be lounging round the front door? Come -in. I will find something for you to do.” - -He spoke sharply, as if much displeased at Will’s idleness. - -“Dunno that I’m much afeard of work,” said the latter. “Nobody round -here says that. No use throwin’ hints as if I wasn’t ready to do what I -take holt of.” - -“I wish no impudence,” said Mr. Wilson, angrily. “People here are -expected to attend to their duties, without answering back everything -that is said to them.” - -“The folks that brought me up,” retorted Will, “learnt me that what’s -sass for the goose is sass for the gander. Don’t throw stones at a -fellar if you don’t want them throwed back at you. What do you want me -to do?” - -“To save your impertinence for the street vagabonds who were your old -companions,” said Mr. Wilson hotly. “Don’t try it on, here. I don’t -want to point out your work. You can find it for yourself, or get out -of this establishment, whichever you prefer.” - -“When I get orders from head-quarters I’ll slide,” called Will after -him, as he was walking away with dignity. “You can put that in your -pipe and smoke it, Gus Wilson. I don’t keer the curl of a pig’s tail -for a chap like you.” - -Mr. Wilson turned back, as red as a beet in the face. - -“I see, my lad,” he said, slowly and with bitter emphasis, “that -store-keeping is not in your vein. Come to the office. I will have you -paid off, and will give a character for your next situation.” - -He was a different man, now, in his cool, studied bitterness, than he -had been in the flush of anger. - -“I ain’t taking a discharge jist now, Gus Wilson,” he said, defiantly. -“Maybe you don’t know who you’re talkin’ to, or you’d haul in your -horns several feet. If you go playin’ that dodge on me, if I don’t put -a ring in your nose that’ll lead you around like a calf, then sell me -out.” - -Will walked swaggeringly away, with a glance over his shoulder at his -opponent, that seemed to have more effect on that individual than his -words. - -He stood looking after the boy with a perplexed air, the red gradually -dying out of his visage, and a slight pallor taking its place. - -Breaking from his momentary reverie, he walked hastily back to the -office, paying no further attention to Will, who stood some distance -back, coolly regarding him. - -“That shot struck between wind and water,” said the boy, with a grimace. - -As he was passing the office on his way back into the store, the door -of Mr. Leonard’s room opened, and his name was called. - -“Wonder if Gus has been at work a’ready?” he said to himself. - -But the chief clerk was busily engaged at his own desk as Will went -through the counting-room, and Mr. Leonard simply wished to send him on -an errand to the post-office. - -“Counted them Milton cloths last night and this morning,” said Will. -“Ain’t reported yet.” - -“How many pieces did you make them?” - -“Ninety-seven.” - -“I don’t think you have done your work very carefully Will,” said the -merchant, smiling. “Here is the invoice, you see. One hundred pieces. -And here is Joe Ware’s tally, marked correct.” - -“I don’t keer three cents for Joe Ware’s tally,” said Will, balancing -himself on the arm of a chair. “I counted them goods, and here’s my -tally. If it ain’t O. K., I’ll eat an elephant. I ain’t much of a -reader, but I can count the straightest streak you ever saw.” - -“But the pieces would not fit evenly in the boxes if any of them was -short,” said Mr. Leonard. - -“Nor they don’t, neither,” persisted Will. “You never seen sich -packing.” - -“That will do, Will. Leave your tally here, and be off on your errand. -I am glad to see you are so diligent.” - -With a flush of pleasure Will left the office and the store. - -He had scarcely disappeared when his employer hastily rose, and opening -the door of the office, called Mr. Johnson. - -“Do you think Joe Ware was correct in his count of those Milton -cloths?” he asked. - -“Certainly,” replied Mr. Johnson, in surprise. “I never knew him to -make a mistake.” - -“Yet I would prefer to have them counted again. Please go into the -basement yourself, and keep the account of them while one of the men -removes them from the cases.” - -“Very well, sir,” replied Mr. Johnson, leaving the office in great -astonishment. Such an order had never been given before during his -years of service with Mr. Leonard. There was obviously something wrong. - -Mr. Johnson was absent for a considerable time, during which the -merchant pushed aside his work pettishly and rose and paced the floor -of his office. His mind was evidently in an unsettled state. - -Will returned and delivered the stamps and envelopes he had been sent -for, and passed out again to his duties in the store, with a sharp -glance at his restless employer. - -Finally Mr. Johnson made his appearance. - -“Well, sir, what result?” asked the merchant, hastily. - -“It is the strangest thing,” said Mr. Johnson; “Ninety-seven pieces.” - -“Are you sure?” asked Mr. Leonard, seating himself, nervously. “Can -there be no mistake?” - -“Ninety-seven is correct. There is one piece short in each of three -cases,” was the reply. - -“This is a very mysterious business,” replied the merchant, seriously. -“Yesterday afternoon they were all correct. This morning they are three -pieces short. What can have occurred in the night? There is no evidence -of burglary. The store was firmly closed this morning?” - -“It was, sir. I never heard of a stranger business. Nothing of the kind -has ever happened here before.” - -“Never been found out here before would be more correct,” said Mr. -Leonard. - -“Why, sir, do you think such things have been going on previously?” -asked Mr. Johnson, in greater astonishment. - -“I do not know what to think,” replied the merchant. “May not the three -pieces have been removed this morning? Perhaps a sale may have been -made. I wish you would make full inquiry through the store.” - -Mr. Johnson did so, and returned with the word that no one had touched -them. - -“Call Will here,” said Mr. Leonard, in quick tones. His nervous manner -was quite gone. - -He wrote hastily, folded and sealed the note. - -“Take this to the Central Station,” he said to Will. “Ask for Mr. -Fitler, and deliver it into his hands.” - -“And if I don’t find him in?” - -“Inquire where he is, and hunt him up. I wish him to have it as soon as -possible.” - -“There won’t no grass grow under my feet,” said Will, setting his cap -jauntily. “Not on the Philadelfy pavement, anyhow.” - -“Come with me into the basement, Mr. Johnson,” said the merchant. “I -wish to take a look around.” - -The basement was a long, dimly-lighted room, broken here and there -by iron columns which sustained the upper floors. It was well filled -with cases of goods, all of which had been opened and covered again to -preserve them from dampness, though the room was thoroughly dry. - -The long underground apartment was closely examined, and a smaller, -dark, sub-cellar, as well. Nothing was discovered. Everything -appeared to be in its usual state. The windows and doors had not -been disturbed. The mystery of the loss of the three pieces of cloth -deepened. - -The lower cellar was devoted to coal, empty cases and various -occasional necessaries. Its darkened walls were well cobwebbed. Its -narrow apertures for light could scarcely have admitted a rat. - -Mr. Leonard returned to his office in deep perplexity and concern. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. TWO LOVERS. - - -It was at a later hour that same day that our young friend, Willful -Will, met unexpectedly with Miss Arlington, the lady whose acquaintance -he had made the previous day. - -She was walking quietly along Seventh street, a little frequented -avenue, and seemed as if expecting some one. There were indications of -a slight petulance at his or her failure to appear. - -“Hallo!” cried Will, under his breath. “Seems to me I’ve seen that -figure-head afore. Blest if it ain’t the gal that shook me yesterday! -Isn’t she got up gallus?” - -The young lady, whose rich and tasteful dress brought this exclamation -from Will, recognized him at once as he advanced. - -A smile crossed her face as she remembered the close of their former -interview. - -“Hope you’re not too proud to speak to a fellar,” said Will, as he -walked boldly up. “’Tain’t in the woods we are now, that’s sure; but if -you can box a chap’s ears there you can speak to him here.” - -“I don’t think you deserve to be spoken to,” she answered, “after your -conduct yesterday.” - -“I dunno anything I done that wasn’t right to the mark,” said Will with -a look of surprise. “If I stepped over the line anywhere I’m jist the -feller to step back ag’in.” - -“What did I box your ears for?” asked Miss Arlington, as Will walked -gravely on beside her to her seeming amusement. - -“For fun, maybe,” he replied. “I couldn’t see nothing I done. Guess you -thought you had a country cove. See if I don’t give you the worth of -your box.” - -“Why, you are not cherishing ill-feeling, I hope?” - -“No, but I’m death on gettin’ square. I’ll find out the chap that’s -sweet on you yet, and if I don’t put a ring in his nose there’s no use -talking.” - -“That will do, sir,” she replied, with some feeling. “We had better -part here. I cannot permit you to use such language.” - -“Why, bless you, Jennie, I don’t mean a speck of harm in it,” said Will -laughing. “Didn’t think you’d get your temper up so easy. I can’t help -no more being imperdent than I can help breathing, and it don’t take -folks long to find that out. Best do what I said t’other day; give that -chap his walking-papers and set your cap for me.” - -“Very well. I will let you know when I have made up my mind to that,” -she replied, stopping as if to bring their interview to a close. - -“All right, if you ain’t goin’ my way,” said Will. “I’d like to spend -the day and show you round town a bit, but I got biz’ness to ’tend to, -and you’ll have to let me off. Good-by. My respects to him.” - -Will was away like a shot, leaving her surprised that she had consented -to be interviewed by a shop boy, and one speaking so impertinently and -with such shocking English in the public streets. - -There was something behind all this in Jennie Arlington’s mind. She was -drawn to Will Somers by an attraction whose nature it would have been -difficult for her to define, but which was none the less strong for her -ignorance of its origin. - -She found herself questioning the source of this unusual feeling as she -walked slowly on, and was puzzled at finding herself unable to account -for it. - -“Ain’t many gals like her in this village,” soliloquized Will. “A rich -and proud one enough, I’ll bet, but she lets me talk to her straight -from the shoulder. Dunno how it is but I’ve got a queer kind o’ -hankering after her. ’Tain’t what they call fallin’ in love. That’s -not my lay. But she’s got the upper holt on my fancy somehow, an’ I’ll -swow if I know how-- Haloo! Wonder if that’s the partick’ler chap now? -There’s some feller jist j’ined her. Bet I’ve seen him afore, too. Like -to turn back and twig the cut of his jib, but it wouldn’t be on the -square. Guess I’ll toddle on.” - -The person who had joined the young lady was a gentleman of attractive -appearance. He was of good build, and had an engaging face, the -expression of his full gray eyes and well formed mouth being that of -great frankness. He was dressed neatly, but with no effort at display. - -Their greeting displayed much warmth, and an animated conversation -ensued between them. A half-hour afterward found them enjoying ices in -a neighboring restaurant, and still busily conversing. - -“And when will you be out to see me, John?” she asked, with a look in -her eyes as if her heart hung upon his answer. - -“Not for a week or so,” he replied, in a rich baritone voice. “I am -eager enough, but we are just now unduly busy in the store.” - -“Can’t you come out on Sunday? The country is beautiful now.” - -“I will do my best,” he replied. “When our wedding-day comes, Jennie,” -he added, tenderly, “I will make a permanent engagement. Your word will -be law.” - -“Yes, that’s the way all the men talk,” she replied, gayly. “Those are -splendid resolutions, but they won’t wear. I have been making a study -of married men. How about the promise you made me for to-day?” - -“The promise? What promise?” - -“There, if he has not gone and forgotten already!” She shook her head -in affected surprise. “The forfeit you owe me. You were to pay it -to-day. Don’t you know that is all I came in town for?” - -“I wish you had been with me to jog my memory, for it has wandered,” he -replied. “I thought it was a sheer desire to see my handsome face that -brought you in.” - -“Now, you tease!” she exclaimed, turning away. “But the forfeit? You -shall not get off so easily.” - -“Let me see if I have not some gift for you in my pocket,” he said, -gravely. “It is a perilous thing to eat philopenas with a lady. I -should have known better.” - -He emptied the contents of his pockets on the table. - -“A knife, a pencil, a price-list, a button, that sure emblem of -bachelorhood. What shall I give my love?” He whistled in a low tone as -he ran over an inventory of his pocket treasures. - -“Not a knife, for true love’s sake. It is the worst of signs.” - -“You put trust in signs, then? I should give you a lover’s knot,” he -replied, as he continued jokingly to investigate his pockets. “Ah! I -have it. Here is just the thing. The making of a bow, which you can -wear and think of me.” - -“I keep thinking of you without a bow,” she replied. “But I will take -it. What a lovely shade! Did you choose that on purpose for me?” - -He had drawn a strip of delicately-colored silk from his pocket. - -“I might as well take the credit of it,” he replied. “I know you ladies -think men are no judges of colors, but you see my taste there. Will -that pay my forfeit?” - -“Certainly,” she replied as she twined the silk round her hand and -admired its play of color. “You are forgiven. I will make me a bow -that will rouse the envy of all the ladies. But there, our ice is all -afloat. Mr. Price will take it as a personal insult if we disdain his -ices in this way.” - -“And I must return to the store. The voice of the siren has lured me -away too long.” - -“I wish you could be lured away oftener,” she replied. “You are -infatuated with that stupid old business. I do believe you prefer it to -me.” She gave him a humorous look as they left the saloon in company. - -They were now in the open street. Love-making must now confine itself -to eye-glances and farewell pressure of the hands. - -Meanwhile, Will had proceeded on his errand, meeting with another -adventure in doing so. - -On reaching the crossing at Eighth and Arch streets an old gentleman -was just in advance of him. There was a line of vehicles. Trying to get -through between them he was struck by a horse and thrown to the ground. -He fell in such a position that he would inevitably have been run over -by the wheels of the loaded wagon had not Will sprung hastily forward, -and dragged him off the track. - -“Come, old gentleman,” he said, as he assisted the old man to his feet. -“’Tain’t safe fer you to be walking among wagon-wheels. Hope you ain’t -hurt.” - -He was industriously brushing the dust from the clothes of the fallen -man. The latter was a well-dressed and rather handsome person, though -showing plainly the advances of age. - -“I am not hurt. I thank you for your quickness and kindness,” he said, -as he looked Will searchingly in the face. “Where do you live, my boy? -I must see you again.” - -“I ain’t living now, I’m only staying,” said Will, as he brushed off -the last speck of dirt. - -“And where are you staying?” - -“Wherever folks will let me.” - -“Are you engaged in business?” - -“Yes.” - -“What business, and where?” - -“Running a wholesale dry good store. No use saying where, ’cept you -want to buy.” - -“I want to know more of you, my lad, and to reward you for your -kindness. Why will you not inform me?” - -“’Cause most of folks think they know too much of me now, and I’m -afeard that’d be your luck. And I ain’t taking rewards just now.” - -Will was off without giving time for an answer. The old gentleman -called a boy to him, and engaged him to follow his rescuer, and report -at a place mentioned. Will was not going to escape his gratitude so -easily. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. THE TELL-TALE CLEW. - - -Mr. Leonard was in quite a serious mood as he sat that evening in the -spacious library of his elegant home. - -The room he occupied was charmingly appointed. Bookcases in rich -foreign woods, well-filled with tasteful volumes, alternated with fine -pictures and suggestive bits of statuary, gave the room an aspect -which only combined culture and wealth could produce. A richly-colored -carpet covered the floor. An elegant chandelier in bronze hung over the -wide center-table, which was covered with delicate bits of ornament, -utilized as ink stands, paper-weights, etc. - -This was Mr. Leonard’s favorite room. Here he spent most of his -evenings, and here the family were apt to follow him, leaving the more -pretentious rooms below for company purposes. - -He had been a widower now for about a year, and his present family -consisted of his ward, Jennie Arlington, of a son and daughter, both -as yet quite young, and of a matronly maiden aunt, who filled the -responsible position of housekeeper. - -She was too old-fashioned to entertain company, and on Jennie were -thrown the labor and the pleasure of entertainment. Fortunately none -could have been better fitted to do the honors of the elegant mansion. -Despite her youthfulness, she had that womanly tact which makes natural -entertainers sometimes of mere children in years. - -“And what ails Uncle Harry to-night?” she asked, confronting him in his -restless stride. - -By this title she had always been used to call him, though there was -really no relationship between them. He had become her guardian, and -taken her as a member of his family, at the request of an old friend -by whom she had been raised, and who had left her a good share of -his fortune though even he was but an adopted father. There was some -mystery, known only to Mr. Leonard, about her origin. - -“Nothing, child,” he said, somewhat querulously. “Some business bother, -that is all. Sit down to your book, and I will walk my nerves into -quietness in five minutes.” - -“But you always leave business at the store,” she said, persistently. -“I never knew business yet to affect your appetite or unsettle your -nerves.” - -“I suspect I am getting old and uneasy,” he answered, with a forced -laugh. “You must look for more whims from me in the future.” - -“I think I will take a walk, too, uncle,” she replied, taking his arm. -“But, you really go too fast; I cannot follow such a stride as that.” - -“If you get in my carriage you must travel at my speed,” he said, -laughing. “You are a little pest, Jennie. I wish you would let me -alone.” - -“Your hair wants smoothing,” she said, stroking his abundant locks. -“Sit down and let me put it into shape. It is tossed like a lion’s -mane.” - -“Well, well, I suppose I will have to give in. A man cannot enjoy his -troubles in any comfort where you are.” - -“It was bothers a minute ago. Now it is troubles. What will it be next, -I wonder?” she said, as she hovered about him, tastefully arranging his -hair. “What has ruffled you, Uncle Harry? I want to know.” - -“So that you can tell your bosom friends, Miss Milton and Annie Jones?” - -“My lips are sealed to silence, sir,” she said, with mock dignity. -“It is a secret, then? So much the better. I dote on secrets. I would -not divulge it for an ocean of silver. What is it? Murder, arson, or -burglary? Something delightfully horrible, I hope.” - -She looked the spirit of mischief, as she stood over him, in her gray -evening dress, her black, waving hair, and sparkling eyes in strong -contrast, while a color sash, and a gay bow at her throat, broke the -uniformity. It was the forfeit which her lover, John Elkton, had given -her. - -“I am in earnest, Jennie. I want you to be secret,” he said, gravely. -“Your last guess is the right one. It is a robbery that frets me.” - -“Robbery!” she cried, with parted lips. “Well, I declare! Was it -serious? Was your store broken into last night?” - -“Nothing so commonplace as that, or there would be no secret about it. -There is a mystery connected with the affair which obliges us to be -circumspect, lest we should put the villains on their guard.” - -“Well, really!” she cried, with childish excitement, taking a chair, -and seating herself beside him. “Go on, uncle, I am so eager to learn -all about it. Maybe I could be of some help.” - -“Not you, my child. It is a matter for police detectives. Even they -are, as yet, at fault.” - -“Tell me! quick! before Aunt Hannah comes in. You don’t know what a -talent I have for guessing. I may throw wonderful light upon it.” - -“Yes, a talent for guessing wrong,” he said, smilingly. - -She had quite roused him from his abstraction. Laughing at her -impatience, he proceeded to give a description of the mysterious -robberies that had been discovered in his store within the last few -days. - -This relation was interrupted by a dozen exclamations on her part. - -“Now that is too strange,” she cried, drawing her chair round, so that -she directly fronted him. “I don’t wonder you are worried. The thieves -must be ever so shrewd. I won’t begin to guess just yet. And such a -fool, too! Those silks were very valuable?” - -“Yes. They were of superior quality. I don’t think there are any like -them in the city.” - -“That may help then to find them, if they should be offered for sale.” - -In her eagerness she had leaned forward till her face was very near his. - -“We have hopes in that direction,” he replied. “But--what--where did -you get that?” - -His face had suddenly become pallid. He was pointing with a trembling -finger at her throat. - -“What?” she asked, drawing hastily back with a frightened look. - -“That! That bow! Where did you get it?” he cried, starting up, and -seizing her wrist in his excitement, while he eagerly scrutinized the -innocent ornament. - -“I do not know what you mean, uncle,” she exclaimed, drawing her wrist -from his too severe gripe. - -“It is a piece of the silk! of the stolen silk! I tell you,” he -ejaculated, in strong excitement. “You may have the clew there to the -robbery. Where did you get it?” - -“The stolen silk! It cannot be!” - -“It is. There is no doubt of it.” - -This was a dreadful revelation. She sunk back in her chair, a deep -pallor coming upon her face. A thousand fearful contingencies crossed -her mind in that one dread minute. - -“But you have not answered, Jennie.” - -Nor did she yet answer. Her face grew even whiter. She covered it with -her hands, with a shuddering motion that surprised and pained him. - -The strong man looked down upon the girl, almost cowering before him. -With a sudden impulse he seized her hands and drew them from her face, -looking with a searching glance into her eyes. - -“Where did you get it?” - -“I cannot tell you.” - -It was a strained, unnatural voice that spoke. - -“You cannot?” His tones vibrated with surprise and dread. “What shall I -understand by this strange action? Answer me! You must!” - -“Oh, uncle!” she exclaimed, in agony, again covering her face. “Ask me -not. It is impossible that I should answer.” - -“Why, are you crazy, Jennie?” - -“No, no! Let me go! Give me time to think!” - -“You know the robber, girl. He has been giving you part of his stolen -goods. I must have his name.” - -“I do not know him! I could not tell you now if I did.” - -“Was it that boy I sent here yesterday?” - -“That boy?” she asked, doubtfully, as a sudden dishonorable thought -shot across her mind. - -“Yes! It was he! He gave you the silk!” He spoke with a tone of -conviction. - -“I will not answer! I will answer nothing! Not now! I must have time to -think!” - -With a quick, stooping motion she broke from him, and darted out of -the door of the room, her black hair streaming behind her, her pallid, -scared face haunting him as if he had seen a specter. - - - - -CHAPTER X. A CONFERENCE. - - -Mr. Leonard and the officer were closeted in close conversation. On -this occasion the latter was in his ordinary dress. The fact of the -loss of the three pieces of cloth was known throughout the store, and -there was no need of secrecy in this interview. - -“The whole affair is growing more and more mixed,” he said, after -listening gravely to Mr. Leonard. “The clew lays somewhere in your own -store, but it will take time to get hold of the end of it. The parties -are very shrewd.” - -“I can scarcely imagine any of my young men as being dishonest,” said -the merchant. “I have trusted them all, time and again.” - -“And perhaps been robbed for years past. There is an accomplice here, -I tell you, of some party of rascals outside. Have you had your books -looked over to learn if there have been former robberies of this kind?” - -“No, but I will,” was the energetic answer. - -“We have been able, so far, to get no trace of the custom-house -robbers. The only description to be had of them might apply to fifty -persons we meet every day. They are not professionals; that I am sure -of. These are outside hands, but very keen ones.” - -“And the forged check?” - -“Was presented by the same person,” replied the officer. “The bank -teller has no recollection of the party, but the handwriting in the -check and in the warehouse entry are the same.” - -“It is strange--very strange,” said Mr. Leonard, abstractedly, as he -selected several invoices from a pile of them he had taken from his -safe. - -“I am going to try the suggestion you just made,” he said, proceeding -to the door. - -“Harry!” he called, into the counting-room. - -One of the clerks responded, coming into the room. - -“I wish you to take these invoices,” said the merchant, “and compare -them with the sales of these special goods. They are the first we have -had of these styles, and the salesbook should show whether they have -all been disposed of or not.” - -“I will,” said Harry, leaving the office. His tone expressed surprise -at this request. - -“We will soon have that matter tested,” said Mr. Leonard. “Those are -the only goods I can think of which we have lately commenced to sell.” - -They were interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Wilson. - -“Excuse me,” he said, coolly. “I did not know you were engaged. I have -just been down to see Claxton.” - -“That will rest,” said Mr. Leonard. “Sit down. We were talking over the -mysterious robbery.” - -“Is there any clew yet?” he asked, earnestly. - -“Not a shadow,” said Mr. Fitler. “There is only this much very likely; -that the thief is in this store.” - -“Can that be possible?” said Wilson, with perfect coolness. “And all -here have been so fully trusted. I fancy my suspicion of that boy will -prove a just one, in the end.” - -“I fear it may,” replied Mr. Leonard. - -“I have not even let you escape in my investigations,” said the -officer, addressing Mr. Wilson. - -“What do you mean?” asked the latter, hastily, with a slight tinge of -color. - -“I mean simply to turn every stone that lies in my way and see what is -under it,” said the officer, fixing his eyes upon him. “You were one -of the parties having access to that safe, and control of the stolen -warehouse order.” - -“But I was absent from the city in Harrisburg,” replied Mr. Wilson, a -little hotly. “Did you trace any guilt to me?” - -“I merely wrote to Harrisburg, to inquire if a man named Miles Sartain -had died and been buried on certain days named, and if one Augustus -Wilson had attended the funeral; that is all.” - -“You were inquisitive, indeed,” said Wilson, in a light tone. “I was -there.” - -“Yes. So I have learned. You must remember, sir, that I know nobody in -this matter. If I got you in my vise, I would squeeze you as tightly as -the meanest man in the store.” - -“I hope to keep out of your vise, then,” said Wilson, laughing. - -“So, as the case now stands,” said Mr. Leonard, “we have absolutely no -clew?” - -“We have hold of one or two threads only, but there is nothing visible -yet at the ends of them.” - -“I have been more fortunate, then. I have found some positive evidence.” - -“How is that?” asked Mr. Fitler, quickly. He was at once full of eager -attention. - -“I have traced a piece of the silk into the possession of a member of -my own household. No less a person than my ward, Miss Arlington.” - -“Ha!” cried Mr. Wilson, in deep surprise. “How in the world did she -obtain it?” - -“She had learned my suspicions first, and refused to tell me. There was -some one she evidently did not wish to implicate. Remember that I tell -you this in confidence. It is to go no further, except as I may direct.” - -“Then, why mention it at all, if you are not ready to make use of it?” -asked the officer. - -“Because I want your suggestions. I will not press her to reveal her -secret, but we may guess at it.” - -“It is a mighty odd thing. A bit of the silk strayed a’ready into your -own house. Was she using it in any way?” - -“Yes, as a bow.” - -“Then she didn’t fancy there was anything wrong about it. She may have -bought it. Is there no other silk of the same pattern in the city?” - -“There is not.” - -“Very odd that she should make a secret of it.” - -“Could she have communicated with any person from the store?” asked Mr. -Wilson. - -“With nobody, I think, except the boy, Will. I sent him out to my house -the other day, and he had an interview with her.” - -“It is just as I thought. Everything points to that boy,” said Wilson. - -“I thought so myself,” said Mr. Leonard. “I expressed my doubts of the -boy, and she made no denial.” - -“Did she admit anything?” asked the officer. - -“No. She would not answer.” - -“The boy may be used as a scapegoat. When did you first see the bow?” - -“Last evening.” - -“And has the lady been away from home since the robbery?” - -“She was in the city yesterday.” - -“Now we are coming to it,” said Mr. Fitler, straightening himself up. -“Who is there in the city that she would be likely to wish to screen -in such a case? What bosom friend among the ladies, or what particular -friend among the gentlemen?” - -“Miss Arlington is engaged to be married. The gentleman is in business -in the city. But he is above suspicion.” - -“What a very poor detective you would make,” said Mr. Fitler, -impatiently. “It is the theory of our office, sir, that nobody is above -suspicion. This man may be as innocent as she is. What we want is to -trace where _he_ got the silk. Who is he?” - -“His name is John Elkton. He holds a position as principal salesman in -the store of White & Bradley.” - -“What time yesterday was Miss Arlington in the city?” - -“In the afternoon. Probably from two to five.” - -“You must find out more definitely. I will try and learn at what hours -yesterday Mr. Elkton was out of the store. We need to establish the -fact of an interview.” - -“I don’t think there is much doubt of that.” - -“I want to have no doubt of it. This matter must be traced from Miss -Arlington to somebody that we can handle without gloves.” - -“You will find nothing wrong about John Elkton,” said Mr. Leonard, -decisively. “You may imagine that I knew him well before consenting to -this engagement. Had I thought that the silk came from him I would not -have spoken of it.” - -“You are sure it was your silk?” - -“Positively sure.” - -“Then you would have acted very foolishly. Little headway we would make -if we were so tender of people as that. Here is a positive clew, and -you would throw it away because you know the man it points to. We want -to see it pointing somewhere. If he can put us on another track well -and good. If he cannot, the worse for him.” - -Mr. Leonard looked as if something had left a bad taste in his mouth. - -“That is all we can do just now,” said the officer. “I would like to -take a turn in your cellar. That cloth robbery is the strangest part of -the whole business.” - - - - -CHAPTER XI. IN THE CELLAR. - - -Mr. Leonard and his visitor proceeded together to the basement of the -establishment. They were followed by Mr. Wilson. - -The officer paused on reaching the foot of the stairs, and took a -general view of the long room. - -“You keep some valuable goods down here?” he asked. - -“Not our most valuable.” - -“Have any of these other cases been examined? Your visitors may not -have confined their attention to the one line of goods.” - -“No. They were all broken, and would not show tampering so easily. Had -I better have them all examined?” - -“That you’ll have to settle yourself,” said Mr. Fitler, smiling. “It -might be best for your peace of mind not to know all you have lost.” - -He was walking now down the room, his keen eyes wandering from side to -side, noting every detail. - -“Do those goods come in that rumpled condition?” he asked, stopping -beside a case of light dress goods. - -“They don’t look as smooth as they might, that’s a fact,” said Wilson, -as he partly opened a roll of the stuff. It was somewhat creased and -wrinkled. - -They had fallen upon a portion of Will’s bed which he had rolled up -again rather hastily. - -“I think I will have these few cases recounted,” said Mr. Leonard. -“They are new goods, and we can easily tell what sales have been made -from them. Send Mr. Brown down here, and Will,” he called up the stairs. - -While he was waiting for the appearance of these parties, and putting -them to work, Mr. Fitler walked on, continuing his investigation. He -examined the windows at the end of the room with the greatest care. - -“The thieves did not enter by the windows, that’s clear,” said the -officer. “What arrangements have you in front?” - -“An elevator to lower goods down.” - -“Opening on Market street?” - -“Yes.” - -“And how secured?” - -“By iron doors, which are locked at night.” - -“That could not be safely used,” said the officer, “even if left -unlocked. Market street is too public, at any hour of the night, for -heavy operations like these. The door at the head of the stairs is -always locked at night?” - -“I think so. Those are my orders,” said Mr. Leonard, joining them. - -The officer had proceeded to the front of the store and was examining -the elevator. - -“No chance there,” he said. - -“But, how then did they enter?” asked Mr. Leonard, anxiously. “They -must have found some means of access from without.” - -“They must have made entry into the store in some way, and then have -worked down into the cellar.” - -“We have examined the doors and windows. They do not seem to have been -tampered with.” - -“I will take a look at them,” said the officer. “Who opens the store in -the morning?” - -“Mr. Brown, the man you see at work there, usually.” - -“And closes it at night, I suppose?” - -“Yes.” - -“Does anybody else carry the keys?” - -“Occasionally. But Brown had them on the night of the robbery.” - -“It’s a mighty odd business,” said the officer. - -He walked back past where Mr. Brown and Will were busily engaged -counting the goods. Mr. Fitler eyed the man closely. It was Will’s old -enemy, but they were amicably engaged now. A nervous, quick-motioned, -sharp-speaking person, whose worst fault was his temper. - -“I think Brown is all right,” was the officer’s silent comment, after a -long look at the man’s face. - -“You have a cellar under this?” he asked. - -“Yes,” said Mr. Wilson. “Devoted to coal, empty boxes, and rubbish -generally. It has no entrance, except from here.” - -“We will go down,” said the officer. - -“It is rather dark there,” said Mr. Leonard. “We will need a light. -Will, get a lamp, and follow us into the cellar.” - -“All right,” said Will, dropping a piece of goods with a thump on the -floor. “I’ll put you through.” - -They proceeded to the sub-cellar, Will following down the stairs with -a lighted lamp. It was a long, dark room, imperfectly lighted by two -very narrow windows at the back. In front a coal vault extended under -the pavement. This was empty now of coal, and its iron grating fastened -from within. - -As Mr. Wilson had said, the cellar was half-filled with rubbish. Its -stone walls had been whitewashed, but were brown enough now, their -mortar eaten with dampness. The earth floor was rather yielding, as if -from dampness. - -Mr. Fitler’s eyes noted everything, as he walked slowly back. - -“Bring the light here,” he said, at length, as they came near the rear -wall. He stooped and picked up something from the floor. - -“Who made those footprints?” he asked, pointing to two very faint -indentations in an unusually soft portion of the floor. - -They all looked down with interest, Will holding the light close. The -shape of a foot could be plainly made out. - -“That’s a reg’lar Robinson Crusoe find,” said Will. “If we was only on -a desert island now we might look for Injuns, or sich customers.” - -“Here we can look for rogues,” said the officer. “It is a small foot,” -he continued, examining with great care. - -“About the size of the boy’s shoe,” said Wilson, looking sharply at -Will’s feet. “Set your foot here.” - -“Oh, you dry up,” said Will, angrily. “I ain’t measuring feet now. -Maybe I made it. I was down here yesterday. So was more of the men.” - -“No impudence, Will,” said Mr. Leonard, reprovingly. - -“Can’t help it,” said Will, defiantly. “Imperdence was born in me, and -it will work loose. Can’t keep it down.” - -He turned away with a vexed shrug, and walked toward where something -had attracted his attention. - -“Who dropped this?” asked the officer, displaying the object he had -picked up. - -It was a small copper token, about the size of a nickel cent. - -“That’s mine,” said Will, returning. - -“Then you were down here,” said Wilson. “And those are your footprints.” - -“I didn’t say they weren’t,” said Will, indifferently. - -“Then why do you object to measuring?” - -“’Cause that would look too much as if I was taking my measure for a -thief. That’s a game I ain’t playing. S’pose I mought have made the -steps, ’cause I was down here.” - -Mr. Fitler was closely examining the remainder of the cellar. - -“Everything seems right here,” he said. “A rat could hardly get into -this place. What’s that you have?” he asked, addressing Will. - -“A bit of paper I found while you was talkin’ here. Picked it up from -under the box.” - -It was a strip of writing paper which Will handed the officer, -seemingly a fragment of a letter. - -The latter examined it by the light of the lamp. It contained a few -lines of writing. - -His countenance changed as he slowly read the faintly-written -correspondence. - -“Read it,” said the officer, handing it to Mr. Leonard. - -“---- Monday, at sharp 8. Black-eyed Joe’s mill the crib. The swag is -safe, and samples put out. They are fighting shy. Now’s our time to -shove, before the scent gets hot. J. P.” - -“I didn’t ask you to read it aloud,” said Mr. Fitler. “Such information -had best not get to too many ears.” - -“Information?” repeated Mr. Leonard. “A riddle, I should call it.” - -“It is a riddle with an easy key,” said the officer, dryly. “I wish I -knew who Black-eyed Joe was. I never heard of that gentleman before. -Where did you get this, Will?” - -“Just under the edge of the dry-goods box there.” - -Mr. Fitler examined the spot carefully. There were no other suspicious -indications. - -“It is deuced queer,” he said, reflectively, “for that piece of letter -to be down here. I’ve been of the notion that burglars got into the -upper part of your store and worked their way down to the basement. But -what did they want down here? This adds a new mystery to a queer case.” - -“Under the supposition of a confederate in the store, might he not have -dropped it by accident when down here on his regular business?” asked -Mr. Leonard. - -“Yes,” said the officer, abstractedly. - -He took the paper again, and attentively read it. - -“What does it mean? It is all Greek to me,” said Mr. Leonard. - -“It means that an appointment for a meeting of the gentlemen who have -been visiting you has been made. The Monday night has passed, or it -might be next Monday. The meeting is fixed for Black-eyed Joe’s, -wherever that is. ‘The swag is safe.’ That is your silk, which they are -trying to dispose of by samples. ‘Fighting shy’ simply means that you -are keeping the affair quiet, and it is their plan to sell the goods to -some innocent buyer, before the robbery is made public. If I but knew -who J. P. was, and where to find Black-eyed Joe, I would sleep easier.” - -Will, who happened to overhear this remark, smiled intelligently to -himself. - -“Bet what you dare that I find him first,” he muttered. “Got a notion -in my top-knot that I’ll ’tend that meetin’ next Monday.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII. A REJECTED SUIT. - - -Jennie Arlington sat disconsolately at a window in Mr. Leonard’s -library. She was not alone. Mr. Augustus Wilson occupied a chair by -her. They had been conversing for a short time. - -“It is a distressing affair to Mr. Leonard,” he said. “This thing of -finding himself robbed of valuable goods on every side, and quite -unable to trace the thief, is a source of great annoyance, and may -prove ruinous in the end.” - -“I know it, Mr. Wilson,” she replied, “and wish I could help it.” - -“You may be able to do something to help it,” he said, significantly. - -“What do you mean?” she exclaimed, with a sudden flashing up. - -“Simply that Mr. Leonard saw a piece of the lost silk in your -possession. He seems to think that you got it from the boy, Will -Somers.” - -“Does he?” she asked, coldly. - -Her visitor’s sharp glance could detect a nervousness beneath her -apparent ease. - -“Yes. I might have given him a different idea of the case, but thought -it best to keep silent. I know, Miss Arlington, as well as yourself, -that you did not get the silk from the boy. I know, as well as you, -where it came from. I can appreciate your wish to keep silent, but -something is due to Mr. Leonard.” - -“You assume to know a great deal,” she said, defiantly. - -“Not much assumption about it,” he coolly replied. “The thing is patent -on its face. John Elkton is the man, and you cannot deny it.” - -“John Elkton is no thief, as you insinuate,” she cried, red with anger. -“I would much sooner believe such things of you than of him. I doubt if -your honesty would weigh in the scale with his.” - -“Facts are stubborn things,” he coolly replied. “I am not on trial now. -He is. You must excuse me for speaking, Miss Arlington. John Elkton was -connected with the theft of that silk, and I have abundant proof of it.” - -“You have not, and you cannot have,” she answered, rising, but leaning -heavily upon her chair. “If you came here on purpose to insult me, -I can only say that you have succeeded, and that this interview had -better close.” - -“I am sorry to have offended you,” he replied. “I certainly had no such -purposes as that. I came here to serve, instead of annoy you.” - -“Serve me? In what way?” she asked. A pallor had replaced the flush. - -“By keeping your secret. I alone have these proofs against John Elkton. -I can suppress them. Of course I must aid Mr. Leonard in seeking the -other thieves, but if the proofs in my possession are destroyed Elkton -cannot be implicated. It is consideration for your feelings brings me -here. I knew you would not wish him to be held as a felon.” - -“No, indeed!” she said, clutching the chair, nervously. - -“I am aware of your relations with him, and how bitterly you would feel -any such disgrace, as your betrothal is known to all your friends. Of -course your engagement must be broken. I care nothing for him, I care -much for you, and wish to save you from disgrace. Your engagement can -be quietly broken and the cause suppressed.” - -“You are very kind, Mr. Wilson,” she said, turning a quick glance upon -him. “What object have you in this?” - -“Nothing but your good,” he replied, in his slow, steady way. “I have -your welfare so deeply at heart that I would run any risk or do any -deed to aid you.” - -“Indeed!” she said. “I did not know I had so warm a friend in you.” - -“You did know it,” he answered, abruptly. “You trifle with me now. You -affect to forget our past intercourse, to forget that I opened the -secret of my heart to you on a former occasion.” - -“Yes, I remember your making a goose of yourself by making love to -me when I was but a child,” she replied, with a curl of the lip. “I -laughed at you then as I should laugh now at anything ridiculous.” - -“I loved you then, as I love you now,” he said earnestly. “I forbore -to press my claim when your fancy was turned elsewhere. I believe it -was but a girl’s fancy that drew you to John Elkton. That dream is -past now. You are a woman, and are free. I have a right now to press -the love that I have nursed in silence till it has grown too strong to -suppress. I have a claim on you that gives me the right to speak of -my affection. I love you. You are or will be free. May I not offer my -sincere affection? May I not lay claim to this dear hand? I who have so -long loved you in silence and hopelessness?” - -He attempted to take her hand, which she quickly withdrew. She still -leaned upon her chair, with pallid face and set, compressed lips. - -“When I am free I will let you know,” she said, with a touch of -sarcasm. “It would be well for you to suppress this sudden passion -till then. I do not imagine that you will die young from the pangs of -unrequited love. I despise you too much to give a serious answer to -such an unmanly and insulting suit.” - -She walked with a queenly step across the room toward the door. - -“Very well, then,” he cried, angrily. “You accept the other -alternative. I will at once inform Mr. Leonard and the officers of what -I have learned. Before this time to-morrow John Elkton shall be the -tenant of a prison, and shall know that you have consigned him there.” - -“And do you think,” she exclaimed, turning on him sharply and suddenly, -“that I am such a weak and soulless woman as to desert the man I love -because he has fallen a victim to the schemes of a villain? Nay, more, -that I would sell myself, body and soul, to that villain to save my -betrothed? Do your worst, sir. I defy and scorn you. I would rather wed -John Elkton in a prison than you in a palace. But I believe that you -are a liar and a knave outright.” - -“You have defied me; that is enough,” he said, with a gloomy and -resolute air. “But it is passion only that speaks in you. You will -return to reason and be sorry for what you have said.” - -“Never, sir, never!” she cried, passionately. “You have put yourself -beyond the pale of my consideration by your base effort. This interview -has lasted long enough. I cannot and will not bear it longer.” - -She turned and swept through the door like an offended queen, without -another look at the man, who stood there pale and discomfited, biting -his lips in impotent anger. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. NO ANSWER. - - -An old, well-dressed and fine-faced gentleman called at Mr. Leonard’s -store, and stood looking irresolutely down the long floor, as if in -doubt whom to address. A salesman approached, supposing him to be a -customer. - -“What can I do for you, sir?” he asked. - -“I came to inquire about a boy you have engaged here. I believe you -have a boy?” - -“Yes, sir. I hope there is nothing wrong about him. Has he been in -mischief?” - -“No, no. Just the contrary. Is he in?” - -“Somewhere. He will be here in a minute. There he is now. I will send -him to you.” - -Will came readily at the call of the salesman, who directed him to his -visitor. - -“Want to see me?” asked Will, demurely, looking curiously at the old -man. - -“Yes, my lad,” was the reply. “You ran away so quickly the other day -that I had no time to thank you for your kindness.” - -“I twig you now,” said Will, vigorously. “You’re the old chap I picked -up from under the car-wheels. Glad to see you ag’in.” - -“I would like you to come to my house. I want to have a talk with you.” - -“Ain’t got no notion of being talked to death,” said Will. “Let’s have -it here.” - -“No,” said the old gentleman, decidedly. “I can’t interfere with Mr. -Leonard’s business. Here is my card. I hope you will call on me this -evening. What is your name, my lad?” - -“Willful Will is what folks generally call me. I s’pose that’s name -enough. What’s yourn?” - -“My name is John Somers.” - -“Hanged if the old chap ain’t got the same name as I have,” said Will -to himself. - -“Well, I’ll swim round your way some time afore long,” he said, aloud. -“Live out Arch street, hey? That’s grandeur.” - -“I am wealthy, my lad, and alone in the world. I try to do some little -good with my money. I owe you a debt of gratitude which I wish to -repay.” - -“All right. I’m your hoss,” said Will, energetically. “Don’t want no -gratitude, an’ nothin’ else I don’t earn with my fingers and toes. But -I’ll get round jist to see how you live.” - -After some few words more Will’s visitor departed leaving that young -gentleman in a whirl of suppressed amusement. - -Will went reflectively back to his work. - -At the same hour that Will was holding this interview with the grateful -old gentleman, John Elkton was holding an interview of another -character with his betrothed. - -He had received a brief note from her that morning, vaguely detailing -the suspicions in regard to her silken bow, and asking him to meet her. - -The letter had produced a strong effect on his mind. He read it again -and again, the mystery remaining unexplained to him. He could only -understand that he had been accused of some crime. - -“What does it mean, Jennie?” he asked. “Your note is as mysterious as a -Sphinx. Have I murdered somebody and forgotten it?” - -“It is in relation to this,” she replied, holding out the bow. “It -is claimed that this silk was stolen, and they suspect you of being -implicated.” - -“Who claims so? Who suspects me?” he cried, hotly. - -“Mr. Leonard declares most positively that it is a piece of some silk -that has just been stolen from him.” - -“This is a strange story you tell me, Jennie,” he said, leaning his -head reflectively on his hand. “You told Mr. Leonard that I gave you -the silk?” - -“I did not!” she broke out, impulsively. “I refused to tell him. I -suffered torments when I heard this terrible story, heard doubts -cast on you. I refused bitterly to answer him. I do not know what he -thought. He did not seem to suspect you.” - -“Who did, then?” asked her lover, looking intently into her eyes. - -“It was his confidential clerk, Mr. Augustus Wilson. I have had a -distressing interview with him. He accuses you openly of theft, and -says that he has convincing proofs against you.” - -“He lies, then,” cried John, indignantly. “I defy him to his proofs. -Did he tell you what they were?” - -“No. He promised to conceal or destroy them, if I wished.” - -“Promised! It was only a promise?” - -“A promise with a proviso. I was, if I would save you, to break our -engagement, to accept his love, to promise to be his wife.” - -“Well, that’s cool!” said John, with a long breath. “I’m to be -thrown overboard, it seems. And of course you felt great pity and -consideration for me, and wanted to save me, and saw no way to do it -but by accepting this desirable offer?” - -His tones were full of bitterness. - -She laid her hand on his lips with a touch that was almost a blow. -Indignation flamed into her face. - -“You are not serious in that question?” she cried. “You cannot think so -meanly of me? Accept him! I rejected him with the scorn his base offer -deserved. I told him Jennie Arlington was not for sale.” - -“That’s my own Jennie,” he replied, kissing her burning lips. “I knew -how you would answer such a suit.” - -“Yet I did it with a horrible fear at my heart--a fear that he _had_ -the proofs, that he _would_ have you arrested for theft.” - -“Do I understand that you thought me capable of such a crime?” - -“No, no! I knew you were innocent, but I knew how suspicious -circumstances will sometimes condemn an innocent man. Valuable silks -have been stolen from Mr. Leonard. You have some of them in your -possession. You will be required to explain how you obtained them, and -to save yourself by revealing the real culprit.” - -He threw himself in his chair, and leaned his head heavily upon his -hands. Marks of painful reflection passed over his face. She looked -eagerly but doubtfully into his speaking countenance. - -“Tell me, John,” she said, “where did you get the silk? Who gave it to -you, or how did you obtain it?” - -He remained silent a minute longer before answering her question. - -“I cannot, Jennie,” he replied. “It is a secret which I cannot reveal.” - -She passed over to him and took his hand in hers, looking eagerly into -his downcast eyes. - -“Not even to me, John?” she asked. - -“Not even to you, Jennie,” he replied. - -She took her seat again, a look of deep distress upon her face. Was -this love? This the confidence with which love should be crowned? - -“My secrets are yours,” he said, catching at the meaning of her action. -“This is not my secret, and I am not at liberty to reveal it.” - -“And am I to understand, John Elkton,” she broke out, “that you are -the recipient of a disgraceful secret? That you are concerned with -criminals? That you have made me a receiver of stolen goods? I repelled -the insinuation with scorn when made by another. I did not expect to -have it confirmed by yourself.” - -“Now, Jennie, you are hot and hasty again,” he said, rising, and -passing his hand over her flushed brow. “You will force me to say what -I had rather not. I received the silk innocently. That is all I can say -at present.” - -“You tell me much in that,” she said, with a smile of relief. “You do -not know how sick at heart I felt when I thought you were accusing -yourself. I believe you firmly, John. But, suppose they accuse you? -Such an answer will not serve.” - -“They will get no other. Not yet, at least.” - -But we must close this conversation, as it ceases here to interest us. -Shortly after, John saw her to the car, on her way home. - -He had still another interview that afternoon. It was after Jennie was -well on her way home, and he had returned to his office duties, that -his name was called in the store, and he was informed that a gentleman -had asked to see him. - -He went out. The person who advanced to meet him was a stranger: a -slender, sharp-eyed man. - -“Mr. Elkton?” he asked, with a keen look at John’s face. - -“That’s my name,” was the reply. - -“I wish a few words with you,” he said, leading out of hearing of the -salesman. - -“I shall be happy to oblige you in any way,” said John, “but excuse me -for hoping that you will be brief, as I am quite busy.” - -“I will not detain you long,” said the other, “but will do my business -at once. You know a lady named Miss Arlington?” - -“Yes,” replied John, wondering. - -“You lately presented her with a small piece of silk, of peculiar -pattern?” - -“Well, sir, to what do these questions tend?” asked John, reddening. - -“Only that I would be glad to have you inform me where you got that -silk.” - -“Suppose I decline to inform you?” - -“I hope you will not,” replied the other, coolly, “as in that case I -shall be obliged to put you to personal inconvenience.” - -“Who are you?” asked John. - -“My name is Fitler,” replied the other. “I am a detective officer. I -have to inform you that the silk in question was stolen. I hope and -believe that you can satisfactorily explain your possession of it. But -I shall require you to do so.” - -“I can, but not at present.” - -“It must be done at present.” - -“Must is a strong term, Mr. Fitler. I decline to be governed by it.” - -“Which means that you will not explain. Or else that you cannot. Your -refusal gives me a disagreeable duty, Mr. Elkton.” - -“Which is?” replied John, coolly. - -“To arrest you, on a criminal charge,” said Mr. Fitler, laying his hand -heavily on John’s shoulder. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. WILL’S REVELATION. - - -It was Jennie Arlington’s first trouble, and it was a deep one. She was -proud, in her way; that rare pride which shrinks from disgrace as from -a pestilence, yet is conjoined with a sterling honesty that clings to -the right, even through disgrace. - -Her life, so far, had been sunny, and this sudden descent into the -shadow of a great cloud was doubly hard to bear. But there was in her -nature powers which had never yet been developed, and which rose within -her to meet this crisis in her life. - -She sat brooding in the library, looking out over the bright June -flowers in the garden, yet seeing only shadow there, when her reverie -was broken by a servant announcing a visitor. - -She turned to see the handsome face and sturdy form of Will Somers. He -advanced into the room with his usual air of self-possession, his cap -still on his head, and a flavor of the street Arab still about him, -despite his good clothes and the lessons in politeness he had received. - -“Come out to see you on some bizness for Mr. Leonard,” he said, taking -a seat nonchalantly. - -“Well, what can I do for you to-day?” she asked. - -“I want to talk to you.” - -“Make it brief, then,” she replied. - -“How about the chap you told me about when I was here afore? Sticking -to him yet? I told you to shake him you know, and guess it’s the best -you can do.” - -“Is that all you have to say?” she asked, impatiently. - -“Think I seen him the day I met you in town. Jist you shake him, that’s -my advice. Look at me, a handsome, well-built feller, and turned of -sixteen. I’ll be in the market after a while, and the gal that gets me -is a lucky one.” - -“I will bear you in mind, if I run short of a lover,” she replied, with -a smile. “I will let you know when I dismiss the present one.” - -“What’s the chap’s name, anyhow?” asked Will, twisting round in his -chair. - -“Suppose I don’t choose to tell his rival?” - -“Ain’t ashamed of him, are you?” - -“Not at all. His name is John Elkton.” - -“What’s that?” cried Will, suddenly, starting as if something had -struck him. - -“Why, Will,” she replied, in wonder, “what ails you?” - -“John Elkton, you said?” - -“Certainly.” - -“He’s a salesman at White & Bradley’s ain’t he?” - -“Yes,” she replied, with a nervous twitch of the fingers. - -“Guess he’s out of the market, and the coast’s clear for this young -man,” said Will, settling himself back easily in his chair. “That -chap’s in quod.” - -“In what?” she asked, shaking him in her impatience. “I wish you would -say something that could be understood.” - -“He’s locked up in jail. Down in Moya. Took up for smuggling out of the -custom-house.” - -Sick at heart on hearing this sudden confirmation of her worst fears, -Jennie staggered back to her chair, seating herself heavily, as if a -great weight had been laid upon her shoulders. - -Will looked on in unwonted surprise, a faint suspicion struggling -through his brain that he had gone too far. A revulsion came upon him -as he saw her sink back pale and helpless, in her chair. - -“Why, Jennie,” he cried, with a show of emotion, “hope I haven’t hurt -your feelin’s? Didn’t calculate that you keered that much for the man. -Don’t be so worried. Guess he’ll come out all right.” - -“Is it really so?” she asked, in a low, frightened tone. “Is he really -in prison?” - -“Yes,” said Will. “But he won’t stay there, so don’t you worry. We’ll -get him out. I’ll go bail for him myself.” - -She smiled sadly at Will’s idea of going bail. - -“Now hold your head up, Jennie,” said Will, putting his arm round her -with a movement of boyish sympathy. “It’s a pity I hadn’t better sense; -a feller that’s been around like me. But I’ve been kicked up among -boys. Dunno much about gals.” - -“There, Will, I do not blame you,” she said, rising with a proud -gesture, as if she had thrown off all weakness. “He is innocent. I -know that. It is not possible that innocence can suffer the penalty of -guilt.” - -“I know he is, and I’ll clear him. Just leave it to me.” - -“Why, how will you do that?” she doubtfully asked. - -“Think I’ve got my eye on the chap that’s been goin’ through Mr. -Leonard. Got the trap set. Think I’ll catch an old fox in a tight trap.” - -“Is that so, Will?” Miss Arlington eagerly asked. “Whom do you suspect?” - -“Never mind now,” was Will’s mysterious answer. “There’s more than one -in it. Been spotting them for some time. Bet I bring them up with a -half-hitch.” - -“Does Mr. Leonard know of your suspicions?” - -“Not he. Nor nobody else ’cept Willful Will. That’s not the way I carry -on bizness. When I take a job in hand I don’t want no pards. I know -they’ve got a notion that I’m mixed in it myself, and I know who set up -that job. If I don’t prove him a liar, it’s queer.” - -“You, Will? They don’t suspect you of being leagued with the robbers?” - -“Think they do, but they’ve got the wrong cow by the horns. Don’t you -worry about John Elkton. There won’t no harm come to _him_. Anyhow, I’m -goin’ to take him out of jail, or it’ll be queer.” - -“I hope you may be able,” she said, seriously. Will’s confident manner -gave her hope despite her better judgment. - -“I never said a thing I didn’t do, and I won’t go back on this,” said -Will, with an earnest and assured air that gave her new hope. - -The boy was energetic, honest and shrewd, and his early life might have -given him much experience of the criminal classes. He might then not be -talking without warrant, and she felt herself leaning with great faith -upon his promise. - -“Guess I’d better be going now,” said Will. “My time’s about up.” - -In ten minutes more, his errand completed, he was on his way back to -the store. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. WILL VISITS MR. SOMERS. - - -“I would have preferred to have kept this matter quiet,” said Mr. -Fitler, the officer. “But that cannot be done now. The robbery of the -cloths is public property, and the arrest of John Elkton has made the -affair of the silks as public.” - -“And he still refuses to tell where he got the piece which he gave my -ward?” asked Mr. Leonard, anxiously. - -“Yes. We cannot get a word from him about it.” - -“That has a very suspicious look,” said Mr. Wilson. “The man could have -no object in screening robbers unless he hopes to save himself by it.” - -“He won’t save himself,” said the officer, sharply. “It looks more like -the old principle of honor among thieves.” - -“You still think it is some one in the store?” asked Wilson. - -“The work could not have been done without an accomplice here. Have you -gained any new ideas about it?” - -“I am still more doubtful about that boy,” said Wilson. “There has been -a suspicious-looking old man here to see him.” - -“Ah!” said Mr. Fitler, interested. “Was he known, or was any effort -made to follow him?” - -“No. I was not here.” - -“If he comes again he must be spotted. I don’t believe that boy is -implicated, but we cannot afford to trust anybody.” - -“Why not follow the boy then?” suggested Mr. Leonard. “His places of -resort and associates should be known.” - -“A good idea,” replied the officer. “I will put it in practice. Has -anything fresh turned up? Any new raid on your dry-goods?” - -“Nothing. We have had no new stuffs in lately. I expect to have some in -next week and will see that they are watched.” - -“You may save yourself the trouble. They won’t be touched,” said the -officer, decisively. “There has been too much stir about the last for -the thieves to move again so soon.” - -“I agree with you in that,” said Wilson. “They won’t be touched.” - -“How about the investigation of your books?” asked Mr. Fitler. “Did you -trace any loss?” - -“Yes. There have evidently been robberies committed before. Three or -four at least. Perhaps a dozen.” - -“Ah! That is important. Running how long?” - -“Over a year.” - -“That changes the aspect of things. Have all your employes been with -you that long?” - -“All except Will.” - -“That fact seems to clear Will. There will be no harm in watching him, -though. I suppose you have received hundreds of invoices in that time?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then the robbers are choice in their operations. They don’t make a -raid on every invoice. I judge from that this lot you expect now would -not be disturbed, even if there had been no discovery.” - -“I quite agree with you there,” said Mr. Wilson. “They will wait till -our vigilance is relaxed.” - -Mr. Fitler leaned back in his chair, looking closely at Wilson as he -spoke. - -This intent observation of persons was a habit of his. It seemed to be -called forth now by Mr. Wilson’s decided settling of how the thieves -would act. His tone had been very positive. - -“I guess it is very likely you are right,” said the officer, carelessly. - -They were interrupted by the opening of the door, and the abrupt -entrance of Will into the room. - -He laid a small package on the table. - -“Mr. Thompson says that’s all correct,” he said, nodding familiarly to -the officer. - -“Very well,” answered Mr. Leonard. - -“He wants to know, what’s more, what stuff you feed your messengers on, -that makes them so slippery of the tongue.” - -“You have been giving him some impudence, Will,” said Mr. Leonard. - -“Not a bit. I never give impudence,” said Will, indignantly. “I jist -wakened some of them up a trifle. They were loafing over other things, -you see, and keeping me waiting. Now that weren’t my idee of bizness, -and I didn’t stop long to say so.” - -“What did you say to them?” asked Wilson. - -“I told them that if they thought I was goin’ to hang round cooling my -shins waitin’ on them, they’d spent their money for the wrong monkey, -that was all. But I didn’t give no impudence.” - -“You came very near it, then,” said Wilson. - -“Bizness is about done up for to-night, and I’ve got some of my own to -’tend to. Anything ag’in’ my gettin’ off early?” asked Will. - -“No. You can go,” said Mr. Leonard. - -“That’s clever. Want to call on my uncle,” replied Will, with an odd -look, as he left the room. - -“There is some hidden meaning in that last remark,” said the officer, -rising. “Very likely he may be going to call on the old man you speak -of. I think I will track him and learn who this individual is.” - -Will was not twenty steps from the door before the eyes of the shrewd -officer were on him. Unconscious of espionage he hurried in a rapid -manner through the streets, giving Mr. Fitler some trouble to keep him -in sight. - -He stopped at length on the doorstep of one of the fine houses on Arch -street, and boldly rung the bell. - -“Wonder what the deuce he wants there?” muttered the officer. “It is -a queer place for a young reprobate like him to be visiting. Not much -like the house of a burglar, that’s sure.” - -It was more than an hour before Will reappeared. He went now straight -to his home in a very different quarter of the city, leaving the -officer full of wonder that a boy like Will could have business -detaining him so long in an Arch street residence. - -Will had found the grateful old gentleman at home, and had had a long -chat with him. - -There was much evidence of wealth in Mr. Somers’s surroundings, and -the room in which he was interviewed by Will was richly furnished, and -tastefully adorned with oil paintings and other objects of art. - -He questioned Will very closely as to his former life, his present -residence and mode of living, his advantages of education, etc. - -His young visitor, however, was not very communicative. - -“Never went to school much,” said Will, frankly, when this point was -touched on. “Been pickin’ up my schoolin’ on the street. It’s a rough -one, but I’ve learnt something. I ain’t worth a cent at books, but I’m -good at men.” - -“Which is a very important branch of education,” said Mr. Somers. “Your -father and mother are not living then?” - -“Never had none that I know on.” - -“That is bad, very bad,” said Mr. Somers, feelingly. “No wonder that a -poor little orphan like you has had a rough life. It is well that you -have come through life with an honest record, after being exposed to -such temptations.” - -“I never carried away anything I hadn’t earned,” said Will, “and never -hit a boy that wasn’t as big or bigger than me. And never took no slack -from anybody, if he was as big as a meeting-house and dressed like a -king.” - -“Brave, independent and honest,” said the old gentleman, “you are the -making of a true American citizen. I only hope _my_ poor boy may have -as good a record.” - -“Your boy?” said Will, questioningly. - -“Yes, my lad,” said Mr. Somers, with a pained expression. “I had two -dear children, a boy and a girl, who are lost to me. I do not know if -they even live. Perhaps it is better if they do not.” - -“That’s a bad biz’ness,” said Will, looking the sympathy he so poorly -expressed. - -“They were stolen from me by an enemy, an old vagrant who had a fancied -injury to revenge. I have sought them in vain ever since. I fear I -shall never find them.” - -“And the old vagabond?” - -“He is dead. His secret perished with him.” - -“Well, that’s bad. Don’t wonder you’re down-hearted. Hope you’ll run -across them yet, but it’s risky. Guess I’ll have to go now.” - -“Sit still a minute,” said the old man, decisively. “I wish to have -some further conversation with you. I owe you a debt which is not yet -repaid.” - -“Oh, drop that!” cried Will, impatiently. - -“I have taken a fancy to you aside from that. You are living in squalor -and ignorance. I am wealthy and alone. What hinders me from taking -you into my house, and giving you the advantages of which fortune has -deprived you? I know you will amply repay my care.” - -“There’s one thing hinders,” said Will, dryly. - -“I see no hindrance. What is it?” - -“It’s only that I ain’t in the notion of being took in and done for. -I’ve hoed my own row so fur, and guess I’ll keep it up.” - -“But this is an idle scruple. You would feel no dependence here.” - -“I’d feel it in my own muscles and in my own nerves,” said Will, -decisively. “I wouldn’t marry no gal that was richer than me, and I -ain’t going to adopt a rich stepfather. I went into Mr. Leonard’s -store with a notion to learn bizness, and I’m not the feller to stand -at the bottom of the ladder. If I haven’t made my pile before ten years -I’ll sell out. Much obliged to you all the same, but can’t see it in -your light.” - -Mr. Somers did his best to overcome this scruple, but Will was not to -be shaken. He would not eat the bread of dependence. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. THE OLD COMPANIONS. - - -It was noon on Monday. Will spent his dinner-hour in Independence -Square, a spot sacred to his old associates of boot-blacking -propensities. - -He had given up eating for the pleasure of interviewing. He had already -had an earnest talk with some half a dozen of the boys, and now -approached another, who was just entering the Square from Walnut street. - -The latter was a boy of Will’s own age, a bare-footed, bare-armed, -ragged young citizen, with a keen, wide-awake look on his not overly -clean face. - -“Hallo, Joe!” cried Will. - -“Well, I’ll be swagged if it ain’t Willful Will!” cried Joe, taking -Will’s offered hand. - -“How goes it, old crony?” said Will. - -“Old-fashioned. You’ve been on the coast and know the ropes. Well, if -you ain’t got up gallus! New shoes, and paper-collar, and a ribbon on -his hat! Must have dropped into a fortune.” - -“I am in a store, Joe. We must dress, you know, in better toggery than -you want here.” - -“In a store, hey? Know’d you’d come to something. Does it pay, Will? -Ain’t it dreadful wearing? Seems to me I’d seem like a sparrow in a -cage.” - -“I did at first,” said Will, drawing his friend to a seat. “You soon -get broke in, though. I like it better than the street now.” - -“Is that so?” said Joe, looking at Will as at one who has made a -successful voyage of discovery. “Shoot me if I ain’t got a notion of -trying it. I’m getting too big for this job. How did you get a place?” - -“I asked for it, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I jist captured -it.” - -“You’re the chap for that,” said Joe, admiringly. “Wish you’d work me -in somewhere. You must be getting to know folks.” - -“I’ll work for you,” answered Will. “It’s about time you was giving up -this trade. You’re well posted about town yourself, Joe.” - -“Not among bizness folks. Know a good deal about down-towners. Ain’t -many cribs I haven’t been in or smelt out.” - -“Bet I could name some what would stump you.” - -“Bet you couldn’t,” said Joe. - -“I’ll go ten cents I can.” - -“I’ll cover it,” said Joe, producing a piece of soiled currency of -that value. “But you ain’t to go on all day. Won’t give you but three -chances.” - -“That’s square,” said Will. “Let’s see now. Where’s Ned Hogan’s -Retreat?” - -“Shippen, below Second, and one chance sold cheap,” said Joe, -triumphantly. - -“Where’s Tim the Tinker’s crib? Think I’ve got you there.” - -“Not by a jug full,” cried Joe, with an eager laugh. “It’s on Beach -street, above Brown. Guess I’ll rake down them tens.” - -“You’re pretty well posted, Joe,” said Will, with a reflective pause. -“Calculate to throw you on the next, though.” - -“’Tain’t in the wood,” said Joe, confidently. - -“It’s a namesake of yours. You ought to know your own relations. -Where’s Black-eyed Joe’s Mill?” - -Will gazed at him triumphantly, as Joe sat scratching his head, with an -air of reflection. - -“That’s my cash,” he said. - -“Hold up,” said Joe. “Give a feller time to think. I don’t know him by -that name. But I’ve got a notion I could nail him. Ain’t goin to give -up the bet till it’s settled.” - -“Who’s the man you’re thinking of?” - -“It’s Joe Prime, that keeps the confidential house in a little street -off South street. He’s got eyes as black as coal, and I once heard his -place called the mill. You’re sold, Will. Pass over them tens.” - -“He’s a fence, then, and keeps a stock of burglar’s goods in store?” - -“That’s him,” said Joe. “I follered some light-fingered nobs there -once, and nailed him. Pass over.” - -“I’ve a notion you’ve nailed it, Joe,” said Will. “Meet me on the -corner of the alley to-night before eight, and we’ll settle.” - -“What the blue blazes is that for?” asked Joe, suspiciously. “Are you -trying to sell on me? If you are, I’m blowed if I can’t polish you.” - -“You never seen the day you could do that, Joe. And nobody knows it -better than you. Can’t say now if there’s anything in the wind or no. -Jist meet me there, that’s all.” - -“I never tramp on a blind scout.” - -“I want you. Ain’t that enough?” said Will, impatiently. “You’re as -curious as an old woman. Say half-past seven sharp, at the corner. I’ll -tell you then if you’ve won your bet or not. Can’t tell now.” - -Will spent the afternoon quietly in the store, ate a hasty and frugal -supper, and reached the rendezvous at the hour named. - -Joe was already there, lounging easily upon a curbstone in South -street. He gazed wonderingly at Will. - -“Well, I’m blowed,” he said, “if the feller ain’t dropped his store -toggery and come out in his old rig. I can smell a rat now, and a big -one.” - -Will was hardly recognizable in the dilapidated suit he wore and in the -highly ventilated hat, which he pulled down like a mask over his eyes. - -“If things works well you’ll get something to cover this,” said Will, -as he handed Joe the amount of the bet. “Seen anybody go up the alley?” - -“No, only been here five minutes.” - -“Let’s look in, then. Show me the house.” - -The two boys strolled carelessly into the narrow street. It was just -wide enough to let a wagon through comfortably, and ended abruptly at a -similar street running at right angles to it. - -It was bordered by houses on each side, of fair size for the location, -but in very bad condition. - -On the corner of the second small street stood a house of more -pretensions. It was a three-storied brick, of wide front. The main -room, on the corner, was used as a bar-room, bearing an unpretentious -sign of “Imported Wines and Liquors.” The name of the landlord, “Joe -Prime,” accompanied this very dubious announcement. - -The place seemed well patronized, and the noise within gave evidence of -the exciting qualities of Joe Prime’s liquors, if it said little for -their purity. - -“That’s not the place,” said Will, decisively; “might as well make a -fence-shop of the custom-house.” - -“There are other ways in,” said Joe, leading round the corner. - -Will now saw that the house extended a considerable distance back, with -a yard fence along this second street. A gate in this fence stood very -slightly ajar. - -“That’s the back doorway,” said Joe. - -“I want a squint at the landlord now,” said Will, pushing into the -bar-room, through the throng of loungers. - -Behind the bar was a flashily-dressed young fellow with as much evil in -his face as it would conveniently hold, busily dealing out liquor to -his customers. - -As Will stood, looking sharply through the throng of customers, a door -behind the bar opened, and a man in his shirt-sleeves entered. A glance -told him that this was the person who had been described to him, and -satisfied him that it was the man he wanted. - -He was small but stoutly built, swarthy almost as an Indian, with -straight black hair, and eyes of deep blackness. - -Will slipped quietly out of the room. - -“That’s Black-eyed Joe,” he said, on meeting his friend outside. - -“What comes next, then?” - -“I ’spect some folks here at eight o’clock. They’ll be like to take the -gate for it, but might try the front-door.” - -“Yes. What then?” - -“You and me are to see them, and fix their photographs in our heads. -You take your stand here, where you’ve got a set at the front door. -You’re posted in thieves and sich, and don’t let any go in without your -nailing them. I’ll take my squint at the gate. I think it’s like my -fellers will take that route.” - -Will’s way of taking the gate was to coil himself in a heap against the -opposite fence, and to be apparently lost in slumber. - -He slept, however, with both eyes wide open. - -He had not been there five minutes before a man came quietly up the -alley, looking suspiciously around. He saw Will, but paid no attention -to him. In an instant he had opened the gate and disappeared in the -yard. - -Ten minutes passed of Will’s silent watch, when two men came along in -company. - -He expected they would pass by, but they boldly opened the gate and -passed in, closing it behind them. - -A half-hour of Will’s silent watch had passed, and he was about to -give it up, under the impression that all his birds were caged, when a -fourth man came along. - -Will watched to see if he, too, would pass by. He came on with a -hesitating step, his hat drawn down low over his eyes, and his hand -stroking his whisker in such a way that half his face was hidden. - -The boy lay quiet as death, not a muscle moving. - -The new-comer paused a moment opposite the gate, glancing furtively -around; then, with a quick, stealthy movement he opened it and slipped -in. - -“Bet a goose I know you,” said Will to himself, as he rose to his feet. -“Won’t there be ructions when I let the cat out of the bag! Guess the -’coons are all treed now. What’s the news, Joe?” - -“Nothing,” said the latter, who had approached on seeing Will rise. -“They’re all lambs my side of the house. What’s your luck?” - -“Four foxes,” said Will, pointing to the gate. “There’s their hole,” he -continued. - -He indicated a window in the second story, in which a light had just -appeared. A curtain inside came down to within an inch of the bottom. - -“Want to follow it up?” asked Joe. - -“If it’s in the wood.” - -“Let’s shin it up that shed, then. We can climb like squirrels. It’s -risky, but if there’s anything in it we ain’t afeard of risk.” - -“I’m your hoss,” was Will’s sententious answer. - -There was no one in the street just then. The shed came down nearly to -the fence. In a second more they were stretched flat on the low shed. - -Joe crept to the window and looked in. - -“What luck!” whispered Will, as his companion dropped his head. - -“Bully!” replied Joe, in a like tone. “The whole four are in, and Joe -Prime with them. Jist worm up this way, and take a squint.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. GUARDIAN AND WARD. - - -Jennie Arlington’s sorrow had worn off, and had been replaced by a -sentiment of anger and bitterness of spirit. That a man like John -Elkton should be seized as a common felon, a man of the purest -character and unstained reputation, to be thrown into prison on a bare -suspicion, seemed an utter outrage. - -She was in no mood to appreciate the reasons for this arrest, or to -consider the very dubious position in which his refusal to explain -placed him. She was angry with her guardian, with the officer, with Mr. -Wilson, with every party concerned. Even the unoffending bow shared in -this resentment. She would have taken it from her dressing-table and -trampled it under foot, but on looking for it, it was gone. - -This discovery increased her resentment. Mr. Leonard, then, had entered -her room, possessed himself of her lover’s last gift to her, and -intended to use it with the hope of convicting him of robbery. - -She had been pale and drooping these last few days. He had desisted -from asking the cause. He knew it too well, and shrunk from an -encounter with grief which he could not relieve. - -To-day she was red and blooming, and he ventured to compliment her on -the favorable change. - -“I am glad to see your color coming back again, Jennie,” he said. “You -begin to look like your old self again. I could not bear to see you so -cast down as you have been for some days past.” - -“I do not think it could have troubled your mind very deeply,” she -replied, in a bitter tone. - -“Why do you say that, Jennie?” was his surprised rejoinder. “You know -that no father could feel more tenderly toward you than I do.” - -“I know that no stranger could have done me a deeper wrong than you -have done,” she replied, looking him straight in the eyes. - -“Such language seems to me utterly uncalled for,” he answered, with a -deeply-pained look. - -“Why have you thrown John Elkton into prison?” was her unflinching -reply. - -“It could not be avoided, Jennie. You should know that. He is found -with a piece of stolen goods in his possession. He refuses to tell -where he obtained it. I am very sorry to have wounded you, but could -not act otherwise. If he is innocent, why is he silent?” - -“You know he is innocent,” she hotly replied. “There is nothing you -know better. You have known him as long as I have, and as well. You -know he is innocent.” - -“He is a man, with human weaknesses. What do we know of his life, -outside of his visits here? We do not know how or where he spends his -time, nor who are his associates. He does not see you very frequently.” - -“You will hint next that he is deceiving me,” was her hot answer. “He -visits me as often as he can, and I have perfect faith in his love and -his honesty.” - -“I cannot help doubting him, Jennie,” he replied. - -“Doubt him!” she cried. “And is a mere doubt warrant enough for you to -take such action, to injure and disgrace him, to wound me so deeply? -You doubt him! If you had seen your goods in his possession it would -not have given you the right to doubt him without further proof.” - -“They were found in his possession,” he replied, hotly as herself. “He -was found making presents of them. And as for further proof we have it -in his silence. If he is innocent why does he refuse to clear himself?” - -“I don’t know. He has good reasons for it. If guilty why did he give me -that silk, and so bring it directly before your eyes?” - -“I did not consider that,” he said, thoughtfully. - -“You did not consider anything,” was her bitter reply. “You acted as -hastily as if he had been an utter stranger, and caught in the act of -robbery.” - -“I think we had better close this conversation,” he mildly answered. -“You are hot and passionate now. When you are cooler you can better -appreciate my action.” - -“I appreciate it now,” she replied, more hotly still. “Not content -with having him seized as a felon you must enter my room, search among -my things, carry off that miserable bow, make me a party to this base -persecution of my lover. Why did you not ask me for the silk?” - -“I took it from your table, where it lay conspicuously. I did not deem -it necessary to ask you. Nor do I like such language as this.” - -“You have laid yourself open to it by your action,” she answered, -pacing the floor with an excitement that would not let her keep still. -“I will cling to my lover, sir, whatever you do with him. You cannot -turn me against him. He is an innocent, injured man. And I will not be -made a party to this vile persecution. I demand a return of the bow -that was taken from my room without my knowledge.” - -“You cannot have it,” he replied, his cheek flushed with anger. “It is -in the hands of the authorities, and there it must remain as evidence.” - -“You have robbed me, and I will not submit to it,” she passionately -replied. “You have shown your hand fully, and established yourself as -my declared enemy. I can no longer remain under your roof. Two houses -must hold us from this henceforth. I cast my lot with John Elkton. I -will be true to him whatever betide, and a foe to his foes.” - -“Now, child, you are talking pure nonsense,” said Mr. Leonard, gravely. -“I cannot consent to any such madness. It would look well, indeed, to -let you seem as if driven from my house.” - -“There would be no seeming about it. I am driven from your house. I -have stayed in it as long as my self-respect will permit.” - -“You are my ward. My child in the law. I will not consent to your -going.” - -“I am a woman, and mistress of my actions. I will go.” - -“This is madness, girl. Go where? What is to become of you? Who is to -take care of you?” - -“I am not friendless, sir. I can find refuge with people who will -consider me before their own self-interest.” - -“You must not, you shall not act like a spoiled child!” he said, -vigorously. “I never thought that you would accuse me of lack of -interest in you. I that have done so much for you, far more than you -know or conjecture. If you knew all you would not treat me so.” - -“If I knew all! What is there for me to know?” - -“I cannot tell you now, Jennie. I have been more a friend to you than -you imagine, and it pains me to have you turn on me in that way. I am -more than your guardian. There is a secret connected with your life -which I have been charged to reveal when you came of age.” - -“A secret! A disgraceful secret!” she cried. “How could I, a child, -have incurred any disgrace? What is this secret? I am not afraid of it. -These half-revealings are tenfold worse than silence. Does it affect my -father?” - -“Your father. He was an honorable man. There is no whisper against him.” - -“My father! You emphasize this as if he was not my father. I demand to -know what you mean by these innuendoes. It is not fair, sir, to revenge -yourself on my just indignation by such an insinuation as this.” - -“I have said too much, Jennie. More than I thought of saying at this -time. I withdraw it all.” - -“Withdraw!” she cried, with a scornful accent. “You cannot withdraw a -storm that has been let loose. Silence now is worse than the truth. -Who is my father and what has he done to disgrace me? I must have an -answer.” - -“I did not speak of disgrace. There are misfortunes that are no -disgrace.” - -“What misfortune, then?” - -“I will say no more now. I have said too much already. Some day when -you are cooler, and will not think me revengeful I will tell you to -what I allude.” - -“And meanwhile leave me to miserable conjectures,” she said, sinking -wearily in her chair. - -“You have no occasion for it. Dismiss this matter from your mind for -the present. But you must give up your foolish idea of leaving my -house.” - -“You have driven me to it,” she said, flushing up again. - -“You are blinding yourself now, Jennie, and wronging me.” - -“I don’t know. I don’t know anything!” she cried passionately. “I only -know that my lover is in prison, that he is innocent, and that you have -placed him there. I know no more, and can bear no more now.” - -With a hasty movement she rose and left the room, her face haunting him -with its pain and reproach. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. WILL PREPARES FOR WORK. - - -We left Will and his companion on a shed overlooking a band of -conspirators. The long June twilight had just passed, the sky was -overcast with clouds, and it was quite dark. - -Will glanced in at the narrow aperture of the window. There was less -than an inch of space left by the curtain. But this enabled him to -catch a glimpse of a table, on which burnt a lamp, and to see the faces -of the four men seated around it. - -Black-eyed Joe stood back. He had just brought up some liquors. - -Will could scarcely repress a chuckle of triumph. The face of the man -whom he had last seen outside was now fully displayed. There was no -doubt now, he knew him at a glance. - -The face of a second looked familiar to him. The other two were -strangers. His companion, however, seemed to know them. - -“Them’s gay nobs. High-toned cracksmen,” he whispered. “I know just -where to put my finger on them.” - -The men were still conversing, but in low tones, and only an occasional -phrase reached the eager young ears at the window. - -“Not safe now,” was the first phrase caught. - -“John Elkton is in prison. He won’t blow.” - -“The West is the best field. After this scent gets cold.” - -The voices now sunk lower, so that the spies heard nothing for some -time. - -Suddenly Will clapped his hand on his knee. - -“Bet I’ve got him nailed now,” he said, in an incautious whisper. - -“Who?” asked Joe. - -“The black-whiskered feller. Know him like a breeze.” - -The men grew still more earnest in their conversation. - -“Will be in store about Thursday,” came to the ears of the boys as -their tones grew louder. - -“And won’t be looked after?” - -“No, they think we’re frightened off, and won’t venture to touch this -lot. I can give the cue if there’s any change in the programme.” - -“We’d best touch it deep, then. We might not get another chance soon. -The secret way is all right yet?” - -“Yes, not dreamed of.” - -“That’s a lie,” was Will’s whispered comment. “I’ll bet a cow you’ll -find a hornet in your box.” - -Their tones fell again, and nothing further came to the listeners’ -ears. The conversation soon after broke up, and there were signs of -departure. - -“Thursday night, then,” said one. - -“No. Friday night. They might be on guard on Thursday.” - -The boys slid down the shed, gained the fence, and in a moment had -dropped to the ground. - -“Now, Joe, we know our men, and don’t need to follow them. Let’s -slide,” said Will. - -They lost no time in putting distance between them and that dangerous -locality. - -“Tell you what it is, Will,” said Joe, leaning doggedly against a -lamp-post, “there’s something up. What is it?” - -“Dead burglary, Joe. These fellers have been going through a friend of -mine. They’ve laid out a plan to rob him ag’in next Friday. But I’m on -hand to sp’ile their little game.” - -“Who’s been robbed?” - -“Can’t tell you now. You’ll know afore long. You’ll get paid, too, for -our fun to-night. I’ll call on you soon at head-quarters in the square. -Till then, mum’s the word.” - -“We’ll split then for to-night.” - -Will went his way, whistling his feelings in a very gay air. - -He was diligent in his store duties for the next few days, being -light-hearted in an unusual degree. - -And yet he fell into bitter disgrace before the week was out. - -It was Thursday. They were engaged in getting in an invoice of very -valuable goods. These were black silks of superior quality, and very -costly. - -Will labored vigorously, but with the utmost good humor, at the task of -getting the cases into the store and lowering them into the basement, -where it was decided to place them for the present. - -Yet he could not repress his overflowing spirits, and executed a -break-down between the lowering of one case and the receiving of -another, that excited the laughter of the men, and the indignation of -Mr. Wilson, who was passing. - -“See here, boy,” he cried. “We don’t hire you for a negro minstrel or -for a ballet dancer. You’ve raised disturbance enough in the store -already. Now I want this thing stopped. I warn you now that the next -time you attempt it you will be sent about your business.” - -“I’m about my bizness now,” said Will, as he lent a hand to the next -case. - -“You have entirely too much impudence, boy. I will not have these pert -answers.” - -“Dunno how you’re goin’ to help it. My tongue’s jist as hard to manage -as my legs.” - -“You have got to manage it, then,” cried Mr. Wilson, in sudden -anger. “If not here, then somewhere else. Your insolence is getting -unbearable.” - -“You didn’t hire me, and I ain’t taking no discharge from you.” - -“I’ll see if you won’t,” cried Wilson. - -“Now you get back to your end of the ship, and don’t be annoying a -gentleman at his work,” said Will, impatiently. “You’re worse than a -bad oyster. You’d best slide if you know when your mother’s pet is well -off.” - -“Why you insolent, rascally young beggar!” Mr. Wilson could hardly -speak for rage. “That comes from taking vagrants off the street. You -shall get out of this store, or I will.” - -Ten minutes after, Will received a peremptory summons to the office. - -He walked back with his most independent air, entered the office, and -coolly helped himself to a chair opposite Mr. Leonard, who was seated -alone. - -“I am sorry, Will, that there is such a break between you and Mr. -Wilson. I will have to support him. You must go,” said the merchant. - -“What! for Gus Wilson? Not if I know myself. I wouldn’t stayed here -a week, Mr. Leonard, if you hadn’t been a straight man. You suit me -pretty well, and I ain’t taking no discharge!” - -“This is nonsense, boy! You will have to go,” was the stern reply. - -“I’ll bet my next year’s salary that Gus Wilson goes first!” said Will, -setting his hat rakishly on his head. - -“Come, there is enough of this,” said Mr. Leonard, rising. “I will pay -you what is due you, and hope this experience may be a lesson to you in -the next place you may get.” - -“Set down, Mr. Leonard,” said Will easily. “May be you’re done; but I -ain’t quite through yet.” - -The merchant stood looking down at the independent boy with an air of -surprise; he had not met such a character before. - -“What have you got to say?” he asked. - -“Well, the first thing is, that I ain’t only goin’ to spend my days -here, but calculate to spend my nights here, too.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“I mean that you have got in a lot of fine goods, and that the thieves -are goin’ for them to-morrow night.” - -“Mr. Fitler, the detective, don’t think so.” - -“He be blowed! He’s good for straight work, but not good for a crooked -job like this. I’m goin’ to be detective, and to spend to-morrow night -in your cellar. There’s rats there that want to be smelt out. Set -down,” he continued, as the merchant looked incredulous. “It won’t be -my first night there. I’ve got something to tell you.” - -Mr. Leonard’s incredulity changed to intense interest as Will proceeded -to describe his former night in the cellar, and what he had seen there. - -“Can it be possible?” he cried. “Why did you not tell me this before?” - -“I was waiting for it to get ripe,” said Will, quietly. “Set still; I -ain’t done yet.” - -He proceeded with a description of his last evening’s adventure, and of -his recognition of the parties concerned, though declining just then to -tell who they were. - -“But this is most important,” said the merchant, breathlessly. “I must -send for Mr. Fitler at once.” - -“If you do, I wash my hands clean of it,” said Will. “I ain’t taking no -pards in bizness.” - -“But we need his advice.” - -“We don’t want none of it. I tell you what we do want. We want to keep -still tongues. If this thing is talked of, our dog’s dead. I’ll tell -you this much--there’s a traitor in the store. If there’s a whisper -gets out all our fun goes for nothing. I want to find out how them -things are got out of the cellar.” - -“You are right, Will; I shall not speak of it.” - -“Nor don’t look it, nor wink it, nor let it out in any way. There will -be somebody doubtful of our long talk here. Tell Gus Wilson and the -rest of them that I begged off, and made you promise me another week’s -trial.” - -“Very well; I shall do so. No one shall learn anything from me.” - -“Not Wilson, nor Fitler, nor none of them. The job can’t be done if it -gets in the wind.” - -“But how will you manage to remain after night, without its being -known?” - -“Easy enough. You send me away just afore six. Trust me to snake my way -back.” - -Will then went quietly out of the office, leaving the merchant plunged -in deep thought. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. A PRISON CELL. - - -John Elkton had been a week in prison. His arrest had excited much -indignation among his friends, who had a high opinion of his character. -His silence, however, in regard to the damaging charge against him -excited distrust in some, even his friends. His employer was one of -these. He offered to see that John was released on bail, if he would -only explain to him this mystery. But John would not explain, and did -not want bail. - -He was moody and unhappy in his contracted prison cell, and grew cross -and nervous as the long days wore on. - -One thing wore on him more than aught else. He had seen and heard -nothing of Jennie Arlington. How was his disgrace going to affect her? -He did not believe that she could turn from him for an unproved crime, -but she was under the direct influence of his enemies, and what stories -might not be told, and what arguments brought to bear on her? - -He was fully aware of the natural conclusion from his persistent -silence, and could not blame people for distrusting his innocence. But -he had fondly hoped that she had more confidence in him, and would not -turn away from him so lightly. - -But as the days wore on and she came not he began to fear that she was -lost to him, and to grow miserably unhappy in consequence. - -Another thing seemed to annoy him. Some of his friends kept aloof from -him, one in particular of whom he had had a very exalted opinion, -and whose absence caused him much mental disquiet. He finally sent a -message to this man, Jesse Powers by name, with an urgent request to -have him come to the prison and see him. - -It failed in its effect. His friend was out of town and did not get his -epistle. - -It was nearly the end of the first week in prison life when the door of -his cell was one morning unlocked, and a new visitor admitted. - -He sat disconsolate and moody, fretting in spirit at the defection of -his betrothed, when he lifted his eyes and saw her standing before him, -her eyes full of love and sympathy. - -“Oh, John!” was her piteous exclamation. - -He sprung to his feet with new life, clasped her in his arms, and -rained kisses on her distressed face. - -“This is very good in you, Jennie,” he said. “I have just been thinking -of you, and wishing for you; but not hoping.” - -“You did not think I had forgotten you?” she said, reproachfully. - -“No, no, Jennie; I had faith in your love. But how I did want you!” - -He kissed her again, clasping her still closer. - -“And what a place this is,” she said, looking round the cell. “I would -have been here before, John, but I was hindered. I thought, indeed, the -first few days, that you would not stay here.” - -“How could I help myself, Jennie? No bird would stay in its cage if the -door was open.” - -“You could open the door with a word. You know you could,” she said, -looking tenderly but eagerly into his face. “You are innocent. Why will -you not clear yourself?” - -“It looks as if I were guilty,” he replied, leading her to the only -chair the cell afforded. “The law and the public seem to think so.” - -“It is your own fault, John. You are incomprehensible. Why are you so -silent? I cannot guess a reason. You must clear yourself.” - -“And convict others?” - -“If they are guilty, yes.” - -“There are things that cannot be told, Jennie, and reasons why I should -not convict even the guilty. I hope you will not press this matter -further. I have not taken my course without excellent reasons. If you -knew all, you would counsel me to do as I have done. Let that suffice.” - -Jennie was silent for a little, thinking. She clasped his hand with a -warm pressure. His gladdened eyes were fixed eagerly upon her face. - -“Let it be so,” she said, at length. “For the present, at least, we -will forget it.” - -The conversation changed. Seated upon the floor at her feet, and -looking lovingly up into her eyes, their talk grew of softer themes. -Their voices fell, mellowed by love. Hours, it seemed to them, they -conversed in that sweet love gossip so hard to translate, so weak and -meaningless when put into words. - -Looks, tones, hand-pressures, form the soul of lovers’ talk, and -these no pen can write down. The words spoken are dreadfully prosy to -outsiders; all the poetry lies in the language of lips and eyes. - -“Your friends have all visited you, then?” she at length asked. - -“Not all. Nearly all,” he replied. “Their kindness has helped me -greatly.” - -“Could they do less, and be friends?” she quickly replied. “I do not -think much of those who have failed to come.” - -“I do not blame them. They might have been away, or unable to come. And -my very equivocal position is a very good reason for their absence.” - -“It is no reason at all,” she broke out. “They are no friends of yours -to desert you in your extremity.” - -“Well, well, Jennie, there are only three or four.” - -“Let me know their names?” - -“And why?” he asked, laughing. “Are you going to put them in your black -book?” - -“No matter. I want to know their names,” she excitedly replied. - -“Well, since it must be, it must be,” he said, resignedly. “First, -there is Ellis Branson. Have you him down?” - -“Yes. Go on,” she said, writing down the name. - -“Harry Howard.” - -“Proceed.” - -“James Milton.” - -“And the next?” - -“Is not that enough?” he said. “You have three good names there.” - -“Not enough unless it is all,” she replied, with an earnest look. - -“That is all the names I can give you, Jennie,” he said, more -seriously. “This is an odd whim of yours, anyhow. Do you know you are -acting strangely?” - -“Not half as strangely as you,” she replied. “Are there any more names?” - -“I decline to answer,” he said, with a slight frown on his brow. - -“There, I do believe the absurd man is getting angry,” she exclaimed, -laughing. “I must leave now, before the thunder-clouds arise.” - -“No, no! Not so soon. You have been here no time. I will smile like a -summer’s day if you will only remain.” - -“Listen to the tramp of that turnkey’s feet. He is getting impatient. I -must really go now.” - -“To return soon?” - -“Yes. I am staying in the city now. I will not leave you alone.” - -A few more parting words, and she left the cell. - -The turnkey, a young, pleasant-looking man, attended her toward the -great door of the prison. - -“It is a horrible place, this,” she said, shuddering. - -“I do not find it so, miss,” he replied. “As for Mr. Elkton, he is very -comfortable.” - -“Has he any privileges?” - -“Oh, yes. He gets his meals outside. And he can have his friends in his -cell, and can write to them and receive answers.” - -“He has written to some of them, then?” she asked, quickly. - -“Only one letter, I believe.” - -“Any answer?” - -“No, miss.” - -“Do you remember the name of the person he wrote to?” - -“Very well. It was Jesse Powers. I took the letter myself, as I had an -errand in the city.” - -“Did you see him?” - -“No. He was absent from home.” - -“The name is familiar. Where did he live?” - -“No. 1,485 North Tenth street.” - -“Thank you. Excuse my curiosity. Women will be asking questions, you -know.” - -The turnkey smiled as he opened the gate. - -“Jesse Powers,” she said, with compressed lips, on getting outside. -“That is the name he refused to tell me. I believe I am on the track of -the mystery.” - - - - -CHAPTER XX. MR. SOMERS’S STORY. - - -“I have been a very unfortunate man,” said old Mr. Somers, to a -gentleman visiting him. “Not that I wish to parade my troubles, but -I speak of them with the constant hope of receiving some important -information.” - -“I am in a trade where a good deal of important information comes in,” -said the visitor. “Perhaps I may help you.” - -“You are a stranger to me, sir, but I judge from your manner you can -sympathize with a father’s misfortune. I will tell you my story.” - -“I will listen, and make no promises,” said his visitor, smiling. - -He had called on Mr. Somers and asked him a variety of questions which -some would have considered impertinent. But his manner was easy and -quiet, and the old gentleman answered him without hesitation. - -“I am a lonely old man now,” he proceeded, “yet I have a son and -daughter, still living, I hope, though I have lost sight of them for -years.” - -“Indeed,” said his visitor. - -“It has been the one aim of my life to find them. I have not yet -succeeded, and fear I never shall.” - -“Proceed, sir. Who knows but I may help you?” - -“I was a poor man at the time of my wife’s death,” he said. “I have -since acquired considerable property. I had an enemy.” - -“A poor man, too?” - -“Yes, a mere vagrant. He smarted under some fancied injury that I had -done him. He attacked me near my own home in relation to it. He was -a violent-tongued man and insulted me. I was hot-tempered then and I -punished him for his insults.” - -“Exactly, and made him revengeful!” - -“My two children--mere infants then--were stolen one day, in which -I was absent and my wife unwell. It is not necessary to enter into -particulars. It is enough to say that we traced them to this vagrant. -He was sharply pursued, but we never succeeded in finding him.” - -“That was indeed a misfortune.” - -“It killed my wife, and has made me a wanderer for years. I have -constantly sought that villain and the two precious ones he stole. I -have traced him, but too late. He has escaped me by death. His secret -is in the grave with him.” - -“Where did he die?” - -“Here. In Philadelphia. That is why I have settled here. I have hopes -that the children may still be alive and in this city.” - -“This is a decidedly interesting matter,” said the visitor. “It is -certainly worth while trying to trace the children. What was the man’s -name?” - -“Jake Johnson was the name he was always known by.” - -“Have you set the police force of the city at work on this search?” - -“No, I have not much confidence in them. I preferred to conduct it -myself.” - -“You did wrong there. A thousand men, well posted about the city, are -certainly better than one man not at all posted. Please tell me all you -know about this man, how you discovered him, when he died and where he -was buried.” - -Mr. Somers proceeded to do so, in a long narrative of no special -interest to the reader. - -“And he kept up his vagrant habits to the last?” - -“Yes, but had not the children with him. I can trace him back for some -months before his death, and he was alone during that period!” - -“He probably did not trouble himself with them long,” said the visitor. -“Men of that character, unless they can make some special use of them, -do not care to be bothered with incumbrances. He has likely placed them -somewhere where he calculated you would never find them.” - -“That may be so,” said Mr. Somers, thoughtfully. “But where?” - -“That is what we need to consider,” was the reply. “I should go first -to the most obvious quarter. Men of his kind naturally gravitate to -the poor-house. He may have dropped them in some such place. Have you -searched the books of the poor-houses?” - -“No,” said Mr. Somers, greatly interested. “I never thought of that.” - -“You see where your fault was, then, in depending too much on yourself, -and not calling in the detective police. You forget that it is the -business of their lives to search out crimes and mysteries.” - -“I wish I had met you sooner. It would have been better than the -detectives.” - -“I am a detective,” was the reply. - -“You are?” cried Mr. Somers in great astonishment. - -“Yes, sir. My name is Fitler. I thank you for your confidence in this -matter. If you wish I will undertake to work it up. I am in doubt, -though, that it may be too late.” - -“I shall be too happy to have the services of a shrewd man like you. I -see I have done you officers injustice. But why have you, a detective, -called on me and asked me so many questions?” - -“I will tell you,” said Mr. Fitler, “since I am satisfied, from your -answers, that I was on a wrong track. You know a boy called Will -Somers?” - -“I know no such boy!” cried the old gentleman, excitedly. “If I did I -should know my own son, for that was his name. Why do you ask me such a -question as that?” - -“Because you certainly do know him, and have had visits from him. It is -that that brings me here.” - -“I do not understand you,” said Mr. Somers, in perplexity. “The only -boy I know of is one engaged in Mr. Leonard’s dry-goods store. He saved -me from being crushed under a street car. I have been very grateful to -him, and have called on him, and made him visit me.” - -“And is that all?” said the officer, laughing. “You do not know what -suspicions have been excited.” - -“But Will Somers, you say. Is that his name? I did not ask him.” - -“That is his name.” - -“Do you think it possible he may be my son?” asked the old gentleman, -pathetically. - -“It is not impossible,” was the reply. “Will has had a rough life in -the streets. I do not know his antecedents.” - -“Heaven send he may prove my son,” said the old man, with tears in his -eyes. “He is none the worse for his rough life. He is noble, brave, -strong and beautiful. I would be glad to call him son.” - -“And looks like you, Mr. Somers.” - -“Do you really think so? I had a thought that way. That is another -important link.” - -“Do not build too high on this chance. You may be disappointed. It is -worth investigating, though.” - -“Yes, yes; it shall be, thoroughly. I must see him this very day--this -very hour. But the suspicions you speak of. What are they?” - -Mr. Fitler proceeded to give him an outline of the robberies in Mr. -Leonard’s store, and Will’s connection with them. - -“But do you think that my boy--I must call him my boy--do you think -he had anything to do with them? I cannot believe it. He is too -straightforward and noble.” - -“I believe he is perfectly innocent, and for the very reasons you give. -It don’t do, though, for a detective to rest under a belief. We find -sometimes the most honest appearance to cover roguery. I make it a rule -to follow every trail, no matter how unpromising it seems.” - -“You have not much faith in human nature, then?” - -“Not an over stock. My experience has not been very much calculated to -make me trust people.” - -“I trust Will, then. I wish I could see him this minute.” - -His wish was granted. At that minute Will was announced. - -He came in with his usual easy, indifferent air, nodded to Mr. Fitler, -with a look of surprise at seeing him there, and shook hands with Mr. -Somers. - -“Back ag’in, you see, according to promise.” - -“Sit down; I wish to talk to you,” said his host, with suppressed -excitement. - -“I can take it standing up,” said Will. - -Mr. Fitler leaned easily back in his chair, closely observing the two. - -“Is your father living?” commenced Mr. Somers, in the tone of a -cross-examiner. - -“Guess not; never seen him.” - -“And your mother?” - -“Don’t know as I ever had one.” - -“That is a strange story. Where did you grow up? What is your first -recollection?” - -“Come from where mighty few men care to go--from the poor-house,” said -Will, nonchalantly. - -Mr. Somers gave a start, and looked intelligently at the officer. - -“What is your name?” he asked. - -“Will Somers.” - -“Why did you not tell me that before?” he continued, a glad light upon -his face. - -“’Cause it was the same as yourn. Thought maybe you might want to be -making yourself my uncle or something of that sort.” - -“I may be nearer yet,” began Mr. Somers; “I may be--” - -He was checked by a sign from Mr. Fitler. Will stood looking from one -to the other, with growing surprise on his face. What could they be -after? - -“I have never heard anything of your early life, Will,” said Mr. -Fitler. “I would be glad to know something more about it. Have you any -recollection of the man who left you in the alms-house?” - -“Not much,” said Will. “I’ve heard he was a seedy-looking customer.” - -“Were you alone?” - -“Oh, no! there was two of us. I had the nicest little sister with me; -or maybe I was the little one, for she was older than me. Poor little -thing, I’ve lost her altogether.” - -Mr. Somers gave a quick start of delight as Will proceeded. - -“How came you to lose her?” - -“We was both took out. I’ve heard that some rich folks adopted my -sister, and wouldn’t let nothing be knowed about her. I was took out, -too, by poor folks. They made me work like a dog, till I run away and -shifted for myself.” - -“Do you know your sister’s name?” - -“I think I’d forget my own afore I did hern,” said Will, reproachfully. - -“What was it?” - -“A pretty name--Jennie--Jennie Somers,” said Will, dwelling -affectionately on the name. - -Mr. Somers sprung from his chair in intense excitement, and began -vigorously to pace the floor. - -Will watched him with surprise. He had yet gained no conception of the -mystery; he did not know that the old man was burning to clasp him to -his arms. - -“I am not questioning you without an object,” said Mr. Fitler, “as -you will learn after awhile. I will have to carry this matter to the -alms-house, and examine their books and make inquiries, before we can -go further. It is a pity you do not remember the name of your reputed -father.” - -“Who said I didn’t?” asked Will. “He wasn’t no father of mine, for I -recollect he treated me bad. What’s more, he left me there under a -different name from that he carried himself.” - -“What was that name?” asked Mr. Somers, facing Will closely, and -looking eagerly into his eyes. - -“Jake Johnson.” - -With a loud cry of joy, Mr. Somers sprung forward and clasped Will in -his arms. - -“My son! my son!” he cried, “my long-lost, long-sought son! Oh! this is -too great joy! Have I found you at last, my dearly-loved son?” - -Will struggled in this close embrace, and looked inquiringly at Mr. -Fitler. - -“He is right, Will. There is no doubt that he is your father,” said the -latter. - -With a strong muscular exertion Will pushed the old man from him, his -hands firmly grasping his shoulders, and looked him sternly in the eye. - -“If you are my father, why was I left in the poor-house? Why did you -turn me loose on the world?” he bitterly asked. - -“My God! I turn you loose! You were stolen from me by an enemy. I would -have lost my heart’s blood first. Oh! my son, can you repulse me, and -my whole soul yearning for your love?” - -A flush of emotion came into Will’s face at this appeal. He yielded -silently to his father’s embraces. Their souls were united in that warm -clasp. - -Mr. Fitler bowed himself out, as if eager to escape. He left father and -son, with clasped hands, seated in earnest and loving conversation. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. THE INITIALS. - - -“Is Mr. Powers in?” inquired a lady’s voice, at North 10th street, No. -1,485. - -“Not at present,” was the reply. “But we expect him every minute. He -does not leave the store till after five o’clock.” - -“In what store is he engaged?” asked the lady. - -“At Brown & Felger’s, in Market street.” - -“I will wait for him.” - -“Please step into the parlor, miss. He will soon be here.” - -The visitor seated herself in the small, but neatly-furnished parlor. - -“Brown & Felger. That is next door to Mr. Leonard’s,” she said, in an -undertone. “Does that indicate anything?” - -Her soliloquy was interrupted by the opening of the front door, and -after several minutes by the entrance of a gentleman to the parlor. - -He was a tall, rather portly man, with black whiskers, and a restless, -shifting look in his eyes that impressed his visitor unpleasantly. - -“Mr. Powers?” she asked. - -“That is my name,” he replied. “Whom have I the honor to meet?” - -“My name is Arlington,” she replied. - -“Miss Jennie Arlington?” - -“Yes, sir. May I ask how you have learned my name?” - -“I have heard of you,” he said, with some hesitation. “You are engaged -to Mr. Elkton.” - -“Have you known him long?” - -“For several years.” - -“You have not been to see him in his present misfortune. He wrote to -you, but his letter failed to reach you. I thought I would call and -request you to visit him.” - -“Why, Miss Arlington,” he said, confusedly. “I have really been too -busy. I have felt for him in his misfortune, for John is really an -excellent man. I am sorry for him.” - -“On what account, sir?” - -“Of this unpleasant difficulty. I cannot believe that he is guilty of -the charge against him.” - -“You should take the time to call on him, sir, if you have not lost -your friendship for him.” - -“The fact is,” said Mr. Powers, “the visiting hours at the prison come -in my busiest time.” - -“Mr. Elkton and you were close friends?” - -“Oh, yes! In a measure. I had much respect for John. For his part he -would persist in feeling grateful to me.” - -“Yes. You had rendered him a service,” she said, assuming a knowledge -which she did not possess. - -“Not much,” he said quietly. “No doubt, though, he had reason to view -it strongly. I saved his life by pulling him from the river. It was -easy enough for me to do, but he seemed to think it the greatest favor.” - -“He had reason,” she replied. - -“I begin to see through John’s action now,” she said to herself. “The -gratitude of an honorable man is a strong feeling. Has he allowed it to -make him take the place of a guilty man?” - -“I would very much like to call on John,” he said. “And will if I can -spare the time.” - -“You know, I presume, the cause of his imprisonment?” she asked, -shifting her chair so that she could look him more directly in the face. - -“Not fully. It is on suspicion of being concerned in a robbery at Mr. -Leonard’s.” - -“It is on account of his having a small piece of the stolen goods,” she -said. “I have learned where he got the silk. You have seen this before, -Mr. Powers?” She displayed the fatal bow, which again had fallen into -her possession. - -“I can’t say that I have,” he replied, looking at it very closely. - -She rose to her feet, her large eyes scanning him from head to foot. He -sat unmoved, with no trace of feeling or confusion in his face. - -“You know better,” she cried, indignantly. “You gave it to John Elkton, -as I happen to know. You will permit that man to languish in prison, -rather than come up and acknowledge the truth. You must be seriously -afraid of the truth in this matter, Mr. Powers. But there is nothing -hinders me from speaking. I owe you no gratitude.” - -“There is one thing that should hinder you,” he quietly replied. - -“What is that?” she quickly asked. - -“The fact that all you are saying now is pure guesswork. Your lover -has told you nothing of the kind; and cannot, for it is not the truth. -Let me advise you, Miss Arlington, not to be too ready to jump to -conclusions in the future.” - -“I will bid you good-evening, Mr. Powers,” she replied, with dignity. -“I see that there is no use to prolong our conversation. I have learned -all I desired.” - -He smiled derisively as she left the room. In a moment more she was on -the street. - -She walked slowly down toward her present home. She was staying with a -friend in the city now, having left her home after her stormy interview -with her guardian. - -A familiar voice at her elbow caused her to turn. - -There stood Willful Will, a smile of welcome on his face. - -“Glad to see you,” he said. “Late in the city to-night.” - -“Yes. I am on a visit here,” she replied. - -They walked along together, engaged in conversation. Will was -insensibly drawn into a description of his late discovery of a father -and of his hopes of yet finding his lost sister. Jennie was greatly -interested in his romantic story, and joined earnestly with him in the -hope that he would yet succeed in finding his sister. - -“Did she look like you?” she asked. - -“Yes. Something your color hair and eyes. And then you look something -like me. I wish it would only turn out that you were my lost Jennie.” - -She laughed in great amusement at the idea. - -“I suppose your new position, as the son and heir of a wealthy man, -have changed your plans. You will be leaving the store and going to -school.” - -“Dunno yet,” said Will, indifferently. “Ain’t laid any plans. Bound to -find my sister, if she’s living; that’s one job. But I’ve got another -job to put through first. I’m on the track of the burglars that have -gone through Mr. Leonard’s store.” - -“Ah!” she said, with sudden interest. “Have you learned anything about -them?” - -“On their trail. Bound to bring them up standing,” said Will, -positively. “Keep mum. Ain’t told Mr. Leonard yet.” - -“Do you know a man named Jesse Powers?” she asked, eagerly. “He is -engaged in the store next to Mr. Leonard’s.” - -“Never heerd the name afore,” said Will. “What sort of a chap?” - -“A large man, with dark complexion, and black hair and whiskers. Rather -full-faced, and with prominent nose.” - -“My stars!” cried Will, clapping his hand on his knee, with a burst of -laughter. “That’s his photograph to a hair. Do I know him? Don’t I? -What do you say’s his name?” - -“Jesse Powers.” - -“J. P., or I don’t know my own name. That’s the identical chap that -wrote the letter. Don’t happen to have a scrap of his handwriting?” - -“No. For what purpose do you want it?” - -“To nail a thief, that’s all. Didn’t I see the very chap in a nest of -burglars? What do you know about him?” - -“I know that he gave Mr. Elkton the piece of silk which has been the -cause of his imprisonment.” - -“Better and better. Mr. Elkton won’t blow on him?” - -“No. He is under obligation to him.” - -“You and me ain’t under no obligation. Don’t you be worried about -Elkton. Bet I fetch him out of quod inside of two days. Could you get a -specimen of that chap’s handwriting?” - -“Very probably. I might get a note from him to Mr. Elkton.” - -“The very dodge!” cried Will, in enthusiasm. “You’re quick at a hint. -Work it on him and I’ll do the rest. Bring it down to the store as soon -as you nail it, and hand it to me. Ask for Mr. William Somers, and -anybody will go for me.” - -“I will try,” she answered, laughingly. “And now I must bid you -good-day, Will. I believe you will find your little lost sister. Your -love will bring you to her.” - -“You can bet I will love her amazing when I find her,” said Will, as he -hastened away to hide an unwonted softening at the eyes. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. THE SECRET OUT. - - -It was Friday. The goods taken in the previous day had been examined -and found correct. Mr. Leonard, however, in accordance with his promise -to Will, had kept faithfully the latter’s secret. - -The merchant and detective were seated in earnest conversation this -afternoon, the latter in the same disguise in which he had formerly -visited the store. - -Their conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Will, in company -with Miss Arlington. - -He turned a quizzical look upon the apparent country merchant as he -politely handed the lady a seat. - -Mr. Leonard looked on in utter surprise at this unexpected visit. - -“I’ve got a trifle of secret bizness with you, Mr. Leonard,” said Will, -quietly. “But your friend needn’t go. I guess he won’t blow.” - -“Secret business?” repeated Mr. Leonard. “Well, as it is no secret from -all present, let us have it.” - -“Ever see that handwriting before?” asked Will, handing an open letter -to the country merchant. - -“Me?” said the latter, in surprise. - -“Yes, you,” replied Will. “Didn’t think you sold me with that toggery, -I hope? Know you like a breeze, Mr. Fitler. Jist look at that letter.” - -“Ah! where did you get this?” he exclaimed, as he glanced at the letter. - -“You know it then?” asked Will. - -“Of course I do. It is the very handwriting of the scrap we found in -the cellar signed Jesse Powers. The same initials, J. P. This is most -important. Who is Jesse Powers?” - -“He is the man who gave Mr. Elkton the scrap of silk which has -consigned him to a prison cell,” said Miss Arlington, excitedly. “He -little dreamed that it would fall into my hands, and under the eyes of -the man whom they had robbed. So it is that villains fall when most -they seem secure.” - -“But how have you learned this?” cried Mr. Leonard. “Through Mr. -Elkton?” - -“No. He was too loyal to his friend to reveal it. He owed this man a -debt of gratitude, and was willing to repay it by suffering in his -stead, rather than injure one who had saved his life. It was I who -learned the secret, and who obtained from Powers a letter addressed to -his imprisoned friend. That letter you now hold.” - -“Where can this man be found?” - -“In Brown and Felger’s store, next door to you.” - -“This is so. I know him,” cried Mr. Leonard. “Shall we arrest him?” - -“We will do nothing precipitately,” said the officer. “We may be -enabled after to-night’s work, to arrest the whole gang. If you will -excuse me I will take Will outside for awhile. I wish to talk this -matter over with him.” - -“Certainly,” said Mr. Leonard. - -The guardian and ward were left together. - -Deep silence reigned between them. Neither appeared willing to break -it. At length Mr. Leonard spoke: - -“You have done me a great service, Jennie,” he said. “To me and to -Mr. Elkton both, in fact. Of course all charges against him will now -be withdrawn, and he can be released at once. I am sorry you took the -precipitate step you did in leaving my house. I hope that you will now -return.” - -“Not until John Elkton is fully vindicated,” she firmly replied. - -“But he will be vindicated. I could not do otherwise than I did. His -refusal to explain forced me to this arrest. You must return home, -Jennie.” - -“I have other reasons for not doing so,” was her resolute answer. - -“Other reasons?” - -“Yes; you hinted at something disgraceful connected with me; yet -refused to tell me what it was. You must explain this mystery ere I set -foot in your house again.” - -“You would force me to a most unpleasant task,” he replied. - -“Be it so, sir. There are certain paths it is best never to start on, -for there is no turning back.” - -“You would oblige me now to do you the only injury I have ever thought -of.” - -“Proceed, sir. I can bear it, however severe your revelation may be.” - -“My revelation is simply this, Jennie,” said the merchant, -impressively. “You have no claim to the name of Arlington.” - -“No claim to my name?” she cried, clinching her hand on the chair. - -“You were only an adopted daughter of Mr. Arlington’s,” he continued, -as if in haste to dispose of an unpleasant subject. - -“Can this be true? Who were my parents?” - -“That I cannot tell you. He adopted you from an alms-house.” - -She gave a quick gasp, as of a person drowning; turned, and walked to -the door with trembling step. In a moment she was gone. - -It was the hardest blow her proud spirit could receive. Sick at heart, -she walked resolutely on, spurning the proffered sympathy of Mr. -Leonard, who had followed her in alarm. - -But we must accompany the reader to a different scene. - -That night found Will Somers safely in the basement of Mr. Leonard’s -store, where he had managed to remain without attracting attention. - -He did not act as on the previous occasion, but hid himself carefully -away in a corner, among the numerous heavy cases that covered the -floor. Here he awaited developments. - -The hours slipped by and found Will resolutely awake. Sleep did visit -his eyelids once or twice, but could not remain long with such a -pressing weight upon his mind. After a hard fight, which lasted till -late in the night, sleep was getting the best of him, and he was -gradually sinking into a deeper oblivion than before, when he was -suddenly and fully awakened by a peculiar noise. - -With all his senses on the alert, he listened attentively. It was the -sound of muffled steps, and low, cautious voices. A faint light struck -through the lines of boxes and reached his covert eye. - -There seemed to be two or three persons besides himself. They were -evidently acting carefully, but hastily. The low, shuffling steps were -incessant. - -This lasted for fifteen or twenty minutes, during which time Will did -not risk raising his head above the boxes. - -At the end of this time the light receded, and the steps seemed to be -going from him. The youthful spy rose, and cautiously followed, taking -care that not a sound should arise from his movement. - -The light was turned from him, and he advanced in almost total -darkness. It glimmered on the head of the sub-cellar stairs, where -stood, sharply defined, the forms of two men. - -Will could scarcely repress a chuckle of triumph, as his quick eye -recognized both these men. - -Step by step he pursued the men, down the stairs, into the sub-cellar. -There were three of them now. They were gathered in the corner of the -cellar where the fragment of letter had been found. - -The light faintly shone on several bundles of goods which they were -handling. - -But what was this? The goods had disappeared! One--two--of the men were -gone. Only the third remained. - -Will pushed more boldly forward. He had seen a man disappear in almost -the same spot on the former occasion of his cellar adventure. He was -determined not to be foiled now. - -The light had gone. Only a faint glimmer remained. This, too -disappeared for a moment, and Will drew within a few feet of the -mysterious spot. - -The light again shone, and at a flash the secret lay revealed before -him. It shone from the neighboring cellar, through a hole quite large -enough for a man to pass through. - -While Will stood looking in admiration at this contrivance two large -stones were pushed back into the hole, fitting it closely, and leaving -Will again in darkness. - -“It’s a good dodge, but if you ain’t sold I’m a Hoosier!” was his only -remark. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. CAUGHT IN THE ACT. - - -The stores of Mr. Leonard and of Brown and Felger opened upon a narrow -street, deserted at night, save that occasionally a passing policeman -gazed down its dark depths. - -On the night of the robbery, however, the three men Will had seen -stood conversing just inside the rear door of Brown and Felger’s -establishment, the door standing ajar. - -“Don’t move till near morning,” said one of them cautiously. “The -police may have been warned, and we will need to be wide awake. Wait -till the milk-wagons and market-wagons are on the street.” - -“All right. Joe can play butcher,” was the reply. - -“I will be off home now,” said the first speaker, “and leave you two to -finish the job.” - -The door was closed behind him as he left the store and carefully made -his way along the street, seeking the deepest shadows, and keeping in -close to the houses. - -He stepped out more boldly after he had reached a main street. Late -as the hour was, the street was not quite deserted. A few people were -moving. - -One of these, in fact, was moving quite closely behind the burglar, and -seemed to be following him. - -The latter was utterly surprised when a heavy hand was laid on his -shoulder, and a voice sounded in his ear: - -“You are my prisoner.” - -“What does this mean?” he cried, turning round in great indignation. -“Who are you that dare molest a quiet traveler on the streets?” - -“Save all that,” said the other. “I know what I am doing, and am going -to put you in safe keeping for to-night.” - -The other continued his remonstrances, but was forced along by the -officer, who still held him by the shoulder, and refused to make any -further reply to his remarks. - -In five minutes he had him within the strong walls of the -station-house, and safely locked up in a cell. - -“That’s one of them bagged,” he said. - -Daylight was faintly showing in the east, and the occasional rumble of -wagons had been for some time audible in the streets, when a light team -stopped at the rear of Brown and Felger’s. - -For ten minutes the driver, and the two persons inside this -establishment, were busy in removing rolls of goods to the wagon. - -Then the door was closed, a key turned in it, and the driver and one -of the burglars entered the wagon, which drove away. - -The bearer of the key moved hastily from the locality, in the opposite -direction. - -But their retreat was not effected so easily as they had anticipated. -The pedestrian met the fate of his earlier companion, by feeling a hand -upon his shoulder, hearing a voice at his ear. - -The men in the wagon tried to ride over the officer, who suddenly -clutched their horse by the head. But he held on vigorously, and two -more strong policemen sprung into the wagon, making them prisoners. - -Inside of half an hour the three men were locked up in the same -station-house which had been graced by their comrade for several hours. -The wagon, with its spoils, was drawn into the yard of the police -head-quarters. - -Mr. Leonard was at once sent for, as also the members of the firm -of Brown and Felger. They had been on the alert, and were at the -station-house before seven o’clock. - -“Have you any witnesses whom you desire to present before we hear these -prisoners?” asked the police magistrate in attendance. - -“Here is my principal witness,” said Mr. Leonard, as Will came in with -his usual easy swagger. “The officers who made these arrests are also -important witnesses. I would like to have Mr. Wilson here, if we have -time to send for him.” - -“I have thought of that,” said the alderman, smiling. “Mr. Wilson will -be here. Officer, bring up the prisoners.” - -In a few minutes the four men so lately captured were ushered into the -room. - -“Mr. Wilson!” cried Mr. Leonard, in utter astonishment, as he gazed on -the pallid face of his confidential clerk, foremost among the prisoners. - -“Jesse Powers!” cried Messrs. Brown and Felger, in a breath, and with -equal astonishment. - -“Black-eyed Joe, the grog-shop keeper, and Tom Quinn, one of the worst -burglars in town,” cried Will. “It’s a pretty good haul.” - -“But what does this mean?” asked the merchant, in a breath. “There is -some mistake here.” - -“There isn’t as much mistake about it as you could cover with your -little finger,” said Will, pointing to the shrinking figures of the -prisoners. “I could have told you three weeks ago that Gus Wilson was -the man who was goin’ through you. I have these other chaps nailed, -too. There’s more of the party yet.” - -Mr. Fitler now made his appearance, as also Will’s friend, Joe the -bootblack, whom he had notified to be present. - -The magistrate proceeded to take evidence against the prisoners, but -contented himself with that of the officers who had captured them, of -Will, who recognized them as the men he had seen in the cellar, and the -silent testimony of the rolls of cloth, which were brought into the -room and identified by Mr. Leonard as his own property. - -The four men were formally bound over for trial, and retired to their -cells, glad to escape the fire of accusing eyes. - -“This evidence is very conclusive,” said the magistrate, “so far as -this single robbery is concerned. I presume you have other evidence -relating to the past burglaries?” - -“I have evidence that Jesse Powers was connected with the custom-house -robbery, as also with forging my name at the bank,” said Mr. Leonard. -“Do you gentlemen recognize that handwriting?” he asked, handing the -scrap of the letter to his neighboring merchants. - -“J. P.,” said Mr. Brown. “It is undoubtedly Jesse Powers. Who would -have dreamed of that man being such a villain? I hope he has not been -victimizing us in like manner.” - -“You are safe enough,” said the detective. “He used your place as a -safe passageway for the removal of goods from Mr. Leonard’s. He and -Wilson between them have managed to remove those stones in the wall, -and make an unsuspected passage. Is your lower cellar much used?” - -“No, scarcely any,” said Mr. Brown. - -“They could easily then hide their work, by filling the cracks of the -stones with dirt after each operation.” - -“Could have told you their game a week ago,” said Will, “only I -wanted to nail them. I was locked into the cellar once before, the -night I counted them Milton cloths. That’s why I was so particular -about counting. I seen some chaps at work that night. Follered them -down-stairs, but they gave me the slip afore I could track them. Didn’t -want to say nothing till I had another show at them.” - -“It is a bad business about Mr. Elkton. I am very sorry that he was -thrown into prison,” said Mr. Leonard. - -“He brought it all on himself by his obstinacy,” said the detective. “I -cannot understand now why he refused to explain his possession of that -silk.” - -“He did it to screen his friend,” replied Mr. Leonard. “It seems that -this Jesse Powers saved his life once, and he would not inform on -him. He sent a message to him to come to the prison, hoping to get an -explanation of the matter, but Powers would not come.” - -“There is some gratitude left in the world then,” said the officer. -“Elkton must be released at once, and an explanation of his conduct -published to put him right with the public.” - -“But how about these silks?” said the elder man. “They have not yet -been sold. They must be in some hiding-place of the burglars.” - -“And Joe and me know just where to put our hands on it,” said Will. -“Come up here, Joe, and tell the gentlemen what you seen.” - -Joe, thus requested, began a long, rambling description of how Will had -come to him in the square. He detailed their talk, and went with great -prolixity through the whole story, till the time they discovered the -burglars in council. Will helped him with suggestions here and there, -and managed to dovetail his own story into that of his associate. - -“This is a mighty important business,” cried Mr. Fitler, starting up. -“You boys are worth your weight in gold. We must investigate this house -at once. Can you point it out?” - -“Yes, with my eyes shut.” - -“Take a squad, Mr. Fitler, and go down and make a thorough search of -the place,” said the alderman, rapidly writing. “Here is your warrant.” - -Within the next hour a squad of policemen marched into and took -forcible possession of Black-eyed Joe’s mansion. - -The search instantly commenced, and was speedily successful. In one -of the upper rooms was a specially constructed, deep and wide closet. -The door of this being forced it was found to be packed full of goods, -among which were Mr. Leonard’s silks. - -Wagons were produced and the goods sent to his store. Then, under the -leadership of the bootblack, Mr. Fitler proceeded to the lurking place -of the remaining burglar, whom he succeeded in arresting. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. THE LOST FOUND. - - -Will had now given up his old residence, and was regularly located -at the residence of his new-found father. The old gentleman was -exceedingly happy in the possession of this strong, handsome lad for -his son, and doted upon him with an affection which Will, in good -measure, returned. - -He told his father with much vim of the morning’s events, the arrest of -the burglars, and the part he had taken in it. - -The old gentleman was delighted with the courage and shrewdness of his -son. - -“And now, my dear son,” said Mr. Somers, “since you have so -successfully finished your enterprise, I wish you to help me carry out -my plans.” - -“Depends on what they are,” said Will. - -“I refer to your going to school. You are young enough yet to learn a -business, and much as I dislike to part with you I must give you the -benefit of an education.” - -“I’ve got another job to put through yet afore I tie myself down to -schooling.” - -“What do you mean?” asked his father, anxious to know what new whim had -seized him. - -“Want to find my little lost sister. Poor Jennie is just like me, -kicked somewhere about this big town. I’m goin’ to scour the whole city -for her. Bet I know her if I set eyes on her.” - -“I earnestly hope you may succeed,” said his father. “I will lend you -every aid in that search. I intend to go to the alms-house this very -day, and learn if any trace can be found there.” - -“I want you to come with me, first, to Mr. Leonard’s store,” said Will. -“It’s about time we was telling him of our plans.” - -An hour later found them in Mr. Leonard’s private office. Mr. Fitler -was present, and there had been a long debate on the subject of the -robbery. - -The merchant had been apprised of Will’s good fortune, and met his -father with much pleasure. - -“I hope you intend to let Will continue with me,” he said. “He is going -to make a good business man, and I should be sorry to lose him.” - -“I may let him return to you in the end,” said Mr. Somers. “At present -I feel it necessary to give him an education.” - -“I cannot object to that,” said Mr. Leonard. - -“I want to find my lost sister, Jennie, afore I strike into anything -else,” said Will. - -“Jennie. Was that her name?” asked Mr. Leonard, curiously. - -“Yes,” said Mr. Somers. - -“I have made inquiries at the alms-house,” continued Mr. Fitler, “as I -promised you to do. They have a record there of the admission of two -children, William and Jennie Somers, with date given. There is only -one other record about them. Will ran away a few years afterward, and -Jennie was adopted by a party who refused to let his name go upon the -record. He wished to hide all trace of her origin.” - -“But the date is there,” said Mr. Leonard, in some excitement. “What -date is given?” - -“The 3d of September, 18--.” - -The merchant hastily rose and seized his hat. - -“Come with me,” he said, briefly. - -He led the way through the store and into the street at a rapid pace, -giving no intimation of his object, but evidently in a state of growing -excitement. - -He continued at this pace for a considerable distance through the -streets, finally stopping before a private house in a fashionable -locality. - -Ringing the bell with a nervous pull they were speedily admitted into -the house. - -Mr. Leonard had asked to see Miss Arlington, and they were ushered into -the parlor, while the servant went for the lady. - -In a minute she returned, and Miss Arlington was ushered into their -presence. She was pale and haggard looking, and had evidently suffered -much from the revelation which her guardian had made her. - -She looked in surprise upon the party who had called to see her. Two of -them, at least, were utter strangers. - -“We have called,” said Mr. Leonard, “on important business. But first -let me introduce you to Mr. Fitler and Mr. Somers.” - -“Mr. Somers,” she repeated, looking from him to Will, who sat beside -him. - -“I told you once that I had lost my parents,” said Will, “or they had -lost me, which comes to the same thing. I have found my father.” - -“And I have found my son,” said Mr. Somers, looking proudly on his boy. -“Were but my daughter returned to me, my cup of happiness would be -full.” - -“I congratulate you both on your good fortune,” said Jennie, with much -interest. “I am sure you will have reason to be proud of my young -friend, Will. But you wished to see me on business,” she added, turning -to her guardian. - -“Yes,” he replied, “in reference to the matter I mentioned to you at -our last meeting.” - -A look of deep displeasure came upon her face. - -“Let that matter die,” she said, briefly. “It is enough to have told it -to me. Do you wish to publish it to the world?” - -“It need not go beyond the parties present.” - -“And why so far as that?” she sharply asked. “What is it their affair? -I can see no necessity of this.” - -“I will tell you why, Jennie. I have learned something important -connected with you, since I saw you last. It is necessary to broach it -before these gentlemen, who are already conversant with the facts.” - -Mr. Somers was involuntarily leaning forward in his seat, and devouring -the face of the young lady with hungry, eager eyes. He seemed to forget -all present in his absorbing interest. - -“Listen, then, to another story,” said Mr. Leonard, quietly. “Mr. -Somers here has had in his life experience the greatest misfortunes. He -is a gentleman of great wealth, and surrounded with all that generally -makes life desirable. Yet with it all he has been very unhappy. His -wife died; his two children, a boy and a girl, were stolen from him -by an enemy; his whole life has been devoted to the finding of these -lost treasures. We have just learned,” continued Mr. Leonard, “that the -villain who carried off the children left them in the alms-house here -in Philadelphia--dying there himself.” - -A quick thought flashed across Jennie’s mind. She grew pale, and sunk -back in her chair. She was beginning to guess the object of this -revelation. - -“They were left there under their own names, William and Jennie -Somers,” continued Mr. Leonard, fixing his eyes upon his intently -listening ward. “The life there did not please young Will. He took -occasion, after losing his sister, to run away from the institution. He -is now before you.” - -“After losing his sister?” she repeated, abstractedly, a feeling she -had never before experienced coming upon her as she continued to gaze -at Mr. Somers. - -“Yes. The sister was removed from the institution, on the 3d of -September, 18-- by a gentleman, who was attracted by her beautiful face -and charming manner. He adopted her as his daughter, giving her his -name, and concealing the facts of her origin.” - -“Yes,” said Jennie, listening to his words with breathless interest. - -“On the 3d of September, 18--,” continued Mr. Leonard, “a friend of -mine, Mr. James Arlington, adopted from the alms-house a young child, -giving her his own name of Arlington, but retaining her original name -of Jennie Somers. She is now known, in her full name, as Jennie Somers -Arlington, and is the heiress to Mr. Arlington’s estate, I being her -guardian.” - -Mr. Somers had risen and approached Jennie with a motion as if drawn by -some unseen force. - -“Can this be possible!” she murmured, resting with one hand upon her -chair, which shook with nervous emotion. “Mr. Arlington not my father! -_This_ gentleman my father!” - -“Yes, she is my daughter--my Jennie!” he cried. “I know her now, her -face, her eyes! She is the image of her poor mother!” - -He would have clasped her in his arms, but she held him off, while her -large, eager eyes gazed with devouring intentness upon his face, as if -not quite believing in this sudden revelation, yet drawn toward him and -longing for his love. - -Will, with his usual impulsiveness, broke the suspense. - -“Didn’t I tell you so?” he shouted. “I knowed you was my Jennie! Felt -it in my bones. My dear, sweet, lost sister Jennie!” - -Clasping her in his arms with a bear-like hug, he kissed her with a -boy’s earnest though boisterous affection, his whole face thrilled with -love for his new-found sister. - -“This is our father, Jennie--yours and mine,” said Will, pushing her -into the old man’s arms. “Don’t be doubting that. There ain’t such -another nice old father in Philadelphia!” - -She yielded to the old man’s embrace, tears springing to her eyes as -she felt his gentle kiss upon her lips. - -The warmest congratulations followed. Mr. Leonard was quite forgiven -in the joy of this moment, and she turned to him with all her old -impulsive affection. - -“You only want John Elkton to make you perfectly happy,” he said, -smiling. “He is out of prison now, and I suppose is hunting this town -over for his betrothed.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. CONCLUSION. - - -A long and confidential interview ensued between the father and his -two newly-discovered children. It was not easy for Jennie to take in -the fact of her new relations. Such a sudden and surprising revelation -naturally troubled her, and it was only by degrees that the last -lingering doubts faded from her mind. - -There was something very gentle and lovable about the old man, and she -felt herself strongly drawn toward him. To Will, also, she had felt -from the first a sense of attraction, which had caused her to like him -despite his rudeness. - -Gradually the belief strengthened upon her that this was indeed her -father and her brother, and she grew very happy as she sat listening to -the old man’s story of her past life, and remembrances of their dead -mother. - -Only one lingering uneasiness dwelt upon her mind, and that was -dispelled. A ring at the door, an announcement of a gentleman to see -her, and she was ushered into the presence, and clasped in the embrace -of John Elkton. - -“Let me congratulate you, dear Jennie,” he said. “I have met Mr. -Leonard. He has told me of the surprising change in your relations. I -am glad to learn that you have found a new father.” - -“Is it not strange, John?” she murmured, yielding to his caresses; “and -so sudden. I have hardly got accustomed to the thought yet, though I am -growing to love him. You know all?” - -A shadow of doubt as to how he would view her alms-house experience -came upon her. - -“I know all,” he replied. “You are from the alms-house and I from the -prison. If there is any disgrace attaches to either of us it is to me.” - -“No, indeed, you brave noble fellow,” she cried, warmly kissing him. -“I love you for what you did. Every one will respect you that you were -willing to suffer for your friend.” - -“How was it all found out?” - -“I discovered it,” she answered. - -“You?” - -“Yes. On my visit to the prison I learned that Jesse Powers was the man -who gave you the silk.” - -“I certainly told you nothing of the kind!” he exclaimed. - -“No, but I found it out. I am a better detective than you think,” she -said laughing. “Sit down here and I will tell you all about it.” - -John was surprised and laughed at her shrewdness, as she told how she -had arrived at his concealed knowledge, and described her interview -with his false friend. - -“I have not been very much deceived in Jesse Powers,” he said. “But -I felt that it was not for me to expose him. I owe him a debt which -honor forced me to repay in the way I did.” - -“It was a noble action,” she replied. - -A half-hour afterward the two happy lovers sought the presence of the -father and brother, who were still where Jennie had left them. - -It was an embarrassing task for Jennie to introduce her lover to a -father who was almost a stranger, although she had felt toward him the -impulses of natural love. - -But Will took all the trouble of the introduction off of her hands. - -“Ha! I’ve caught you now, Jennie,” he cried, with a quizzical laugh. -“This is the young man that I wanted you to throw overboard. Father, -this is our Jennie’s beau, and a first-rate fellow, you can bet!” - -Mr. Somers looked with some doubt from one to the other. - -“Will is right,” said Jennie, in a low tone, and deeply blushing. “Mr. -Elkton and I have been engaged for some time. I wish now to present him -to my new father.” - -“And I hope he may prove a dutiful son,” said Elkton, as he warmly -grasped Mr. Somers’s extended hand. - -“I do not know you,” said the father, with a happy smile, “but I trust -in the choice of my daughter, and in the discretion of Mr. Leonard.” - -“And in Mr. Elkton’s face,” cried Will. “That’s a passport to honesty.” - -“Thank you,” said John, turning and offering his hand to the impulsive -boy. “You have placed me under obligations to live out the promise of -my face.” - -“Told Jennie once I was bound to cut you out,” said Will. “Guess now -though that I’ll let you have her. She’s a good girl. Make much of her.” - -“She’s all the world to me,” said John, turning and taking the hand of -the blushing girl. - -It was a happy family party which time and fortune had thus reunited, -after a life of many vicissitudes, and it is time we should leave them, -and seek other less happy inmates of our story. - -The capture of the burglars was an event which produced a considerable -sensation in police circles, and Mr. Fitler gained great praise for -his shrewdness in working out this case. Of course Will’s share in the -business was credited to him, and quietly accepted. - -A complete search of Black-eyed Joe’s domicile brought to light the -fruits of other burglaries. It was evident that the thing had been of -long continuance, the goods being gradually sold as fast as they could -safely be put on the market. The goods had been sold cheap on the -pretense of being smuggled. - -The arrest of Augustus Wilson and Jesse Powers was a terrible blow to -their friends. Mr. Leonard particularly was troubled in mind to think -how implicitly he had trusted in this man, how terribly he had been -deceived. - -The trial of the burglars came on in good time, and the evidence -against them proved so strong and conclusive that but one verdict was -possible--that of guilty. - -With this verdict our story ends, so far as these characters are -concerned. Severe sentences, ranging from six to twelve years at -solitary imprisonment, were given by the judge, and they sunk from the -surface of the living world into the slow death of a prison-cell. - -All went well with those without. - -Mr. Somers and his regained family were as happy as family could be, -and Mr. Leonard was fully forgiven by Jennie for his somewhat selfish -course in relation to herself and her lover. - -This lover’s attentions were more pressing than ever, and it was -not long before a marriage ceremony broke the quiet of the Somers -household, and Jennie again changed her name to Elkton. - -Will gave up his position in the store to ragged Joe, whom Mr. Leonard -accepted at his strong solicitation. He had a better opinion of street -boys, too, than he had formerly entertained. - -Will proved as energetic a student as he had been in his former -avocations, and made immense progress under his tutor, and at the -schools which he afterward attended. - -His school intercourse, too, brushed off the rudeness of his demeanor -and gave his manners a new polish; a result greatly assisted by the -example and lessons of his sister, who did her best to make a gentleman -of her roughly-trained brother. - -Fortunately Will had good sense enough to perceive the value of her -advice, and to profit by it. On leaving school he went into the same -business in which he had received a partial training under Mr. Leonard, -and by his energy and business ability soon made himself independent of -his father’s assistance. - -No one would now recognize in William Somers, the successful merchant, -him whom we have so far known as Willful Will the street boy. - -THE END. - - * * * * * - -Beadle’s Weekly - -The Best Weekly of Popular, Entertaining and Useful Literature -Published in America! - -Its Unrivaled Corps of Contributors, almost all of whom write -_exclusively_ for its publishers--embraces the following authors of -world wide repute-- - -Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Albert W. Aiken, Capt. Fred. Whittaker, -Capt. Mark Wilton, Joseph E. Badger, Jr., Edward L. Wheeler, Charles -Morris, Oll Coomes, C. Dunning Clark, Buffalo Bill, White Beaver, -Buckskin Sam, Major Dangerfield Burr, T. C. Harbaugh, Philip S. Warne, -William R. Eyster, Anthony P. Morris, Launce Poyntz. - -Each and all of whom give to BEADLE’S WEEKLY their very best -productions in all the varied fields of - - Border and Wild West Romance-- - Adventure Exploration and Sport-- - City Life Character, Courts and Ways-- - Detective and ‘Shadow’ Revelations-- - Stories of the Great Deep, etc., etc. - -So that each and every number is overflowing with reading of the most -interesting and exciting nature; while in its Special Departments, -covering all the needs, and adding to the general interest and -usefulness of the popular journal, BEADLE’S WEEKLY is the paper of all -others for your weekly reading and entertainment. - -Beadle’s Weekly is Published at the Following Rates: - - For Four Months $1.00 - For One Year 3.00 - Two Copies for One Year 5.00 - Single Copies 6 cents - -Supplied by all Newsdealers. - -BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, 98 William Street, New York. - - * * * * * - -32 OCTAVO PAGES. PRICE, FIVE CENTS. - -BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. - -_ISSUED EVERY WEDNESDAY._ - -=1 Deadwood Dick=, the Prince of the Road. By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=2 Kansas King=; or, The Red Right Hand. By Buffalo Bill. - -=3 The Flying Yankee=; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. - -=4 The Double Daggers.= By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=5 The Two Detectives.= By Albert W. Aiken. - -=6 The Prairie Pilot.= By Buffalo Bill. - -=7 The Buffalo Demon=; or, The Border Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=8 Antelope Abe=, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes. - -=9 Ned Wylde=, the Boy Scout. By “Texas Jack” (J. B. Omohundro). - -=10 Buffalo Ben=, the Prince of the Pistol. By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=11 Ralph Roy=, the Boy Buccaneer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. - -=12 Nick o’ the Night=; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. By T. C. Harbaugh. - -=13 Yellowstone Jack.= By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. - -=14 Wild Ivan=, the Boy Claude Duval. By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=15 Diamond Dirk.= By Col. Ingraham. - -=16 Keen-Knife=, Prince of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. - -=17 Oregon Sol=; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. - -=18 Death Face=, the Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=19 Lasso Jack.= By Oll Coomes. - -=20 Roaring Ralph Rockwood=, the Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. - -=21 The Boy Clown=. By F. S. Finn. - -=22 The Phantom Miner.= By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=23 The Sea Cat.= By Capt. F. Whittaker. - -=24 The Dumb Spy.= By Oll Coomes. - -=25 Rattling Rube.= By Harry St. George. - -=26 Old Avalanche=, the Great Annihilator. By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=27 Glass-Eye=, the Great Shot of the West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. - -=28 The Boy Captain.= By R. Starbuck. - -=29 Dick Darling=, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. - -=30 Bob Woolf=, the Border Ruffian. By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=31 Nightingale Nat.= By T. C. Harbaugh. - -=32 Black John=, the Road Agent. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. - -=33 Omaha Oll=, the Masked Terror. By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=34 Burt Bunker=, the Trapper. By George E. Lasalle. - -=35 The Boy Rifles.= By A. C. Irons. - -=36 The White Buffalo.= By Geo. E. Lasalle. - -=37 Jim Bludsoe, Jr.= By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=38 Ned Hazel=, the Boy Trapper. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. - -=39 Deadly Eye=, the Unknown Scout. By Buffalo Bill. - -=40 Nick Whiffles’s Pet.= By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. - -=41 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles.= By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=42 The Border King.= By Oll Coomes. - -=43 Old Hickory.= By Harry St. George. - -=44 The White Indian.= By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. - -=45 Buckhorn Bill.= By E. L. Wheeler. - -=46 The Shadow Ship.= By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. - -=47 The Red Brotherhood.= By W. J. Hamilton. - -=48 Dandy Jack.= By T. C. Harbaugh. - -=49 Hurricane Bill.= By J. E. Badger, Jr. - -=50 Single Hand.= By W. J. Hamilton. - -=51 Patent-leather Joe.= By P. S. Warne. - -=52 The Border Robin Hood.= By Buffalo Bill. - -=53 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter.= By Edward L. Wheeler. - -=54 Old Zip’s Cabin.= By Captain J. F. C. Adams. - -=55 Delaware Dick=, the Young Ranger Spy. By Oll Coomes. - -=56 Mad Tom Western.= By W. J. Hamilton. - -=57 Deadwood Dick on Deck.= By E. L. Wheeler. - -=58 Hawkeye Harry.= By Oll Coomes. - -=59 The Boy Duelist.= By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. - -=60 Abe Colt=, the Crow-Killer. By A. W. Aiken. - -=61 Corduroy Charlie=, the Boy Bravo. By Ed. L. Wheeler. - -=62 Will Somers=, the Boy Detective. By Charles Morris. - -=63 Sol Ginger=, the Giant Trapper. By A. W. Aiken. - -=64 Rosebud Rob.= By E. L. Wheeler. - -=65 Lightning Joe=, the Terror of the Prairie. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. - -=66 Kit Harefoot=, the Wood-Hawk. By T. C. Harbaugh. - -=67 Rollo=, the Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes. - -=68 Idyl=, the Girl Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. - -=69 Detective Dick=; or, The Hero in Rags. By Charles Morris. - -=Beadle’s Pocket Library= is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents -per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. - -BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - - * * * * * - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Earlier, and somewhat longer, versions of this story appeared as -follows: 1) Charles Morris, “The Gamin Detective; or, Willful Will, the -Boy Clerk; A Story of the Centennial City,” _New York Saturday Journal, -A Home Weekly_, vol. 8, nos. 365-373, March 10, 1877 through May 5, -1877; 2) Charles Morris, “Will Somers, the Boy Detective,” _Beadle’s -Half Dime Library_, vol. V, no. 118, October 28, 1879. - -Punctuation has been made consistent. - -Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in -the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have -been corrected. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Will Somers, the Boy Detective, by Charles Morris - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILL SOMERS, THE BOY DETECTIVE *** - -***** This file should be named 60978-0.txt or 60978-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/9/7/60978/ - -Produced by Demian Katz, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(Northern Illinois University Digital Library at -http://digital.lib.niu.edu/) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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