Part 7 (1/2)
”Where should I get it?” demanded Harry.
”I do'no. Jest empty your pockets, and le'me see how much you've got.”
”Thank you; I don't see any use in it,” said Harry.
”You da.s.sent!”
”Very well! Call it that.”
”Joel's been spying on me. He must have seen me on the hill,”
concluded Harry. ”It's well I gave most of my money to Mr. Conway.”
CHAPTER V
MR. FOX LEARNS HARRY'S SECRET
Harry had acted none too soon. It happened that his secret had been discovered not only by Joel, but by Joel's father, that very morning.
About ten o'clock Mr. Fox had occasion to go to the village. In the post office he met an acquaintance from a neighboring town, with whom he pa.s.sed the usual compliments.
”By the way, Fox,” said his friend, ”I had a narrow escape the other day.”
”What was it, Pearson?”
”Came near being smashed up on the railroad. There would have been an end to us, but for a brave boy, who signaled the train in time.”
”That boy was my ward,” said John Fox, complacently.
”You don't say so! Well, he was a lucky chap.”
”I don't think so. He didn't get much for his bravery.”
”I don't see how you can say that. How much money did he get?”
”Twenty-five dollars, and of that he gave ten to the woman whose tablecloth he borrowed.”
”There's some mistake about that. There must have been forty or fifty bills put into his hands.”
”Is this true?” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Fox, in amazement.
”Just as true as I'm standing here. If there wasn't two or three hundred dollars I'll eat my head.”
”The artful young rascal!” exclaimed Fox, in virtuous indignation.
”Perhaps he thought you would take it from him. The boy was smart,”
said Pearson, laughing.
”You call it smart! I call it base and treacherous!”