Part 23 (1/2)
”Didn't I tell you so?” said Uncle Obed, triumphantly.
”Oh, Harry, I'm so glad to see you! Where have you been so long?”
”It's lucky you came just as you did,” said Mr. Wilkins. ”Your mother had made up her mind that you had met with an accident.”
”I wanted to come home, but I couldn't,” answered Harry. ”I was in the woods.”
”Lost your way?” asked Uncle Obed.
”Not exactly. Two boys played a trick upon me.”
Of course Harry had to explain what sort of a trick it was. Mrs. Gilbert was very indignant, and denounced Philip and his confederate in no sparing terms.
”You ought to go and complain to Colonel Ross,” she said. ”Philip ought not to be allowed to do such things.”
Harry smiled. He had no idea of following this advice. It would have been an acknowledgment of weakness, and he felt able to defend himself against Philip Ross and his machinations.
”Mother,” he said, ”I've got very particular reasons for not doing this, and for not even mentioning that I was in the wood. Now, I want you to promise me not to say a word about it, for a week at least.”
”But if I see Philip,” said his mother, ”I can't keep silent.”
”You must, for my sake, mother. You don't know how much depends upon it.”
”I don't understand,” said Mrs. Gilbert, thoroughly bewildered.
”No, I suppose not; but I have a strong reason that I can't mention just yet.”
”I hope there's nothing wrong going on,” said his mother, alarmed.
”If there is, it isn't anything that I'm to blame for. Only there's a secret that I can't tell just yet. You'll know it in good time. I want to consult Uncle Obed to-night about it, and you won't mind if I don't tell you just yet?”
”Give the boy his way, ma'am,” said Mr. Wilkins. ”If there is anything very bad about it he wouldn't tell me.”
His mother was somewhat rea.s.sured, and left the two to themselves. Then Harry began and told his story. Mr. Wilkins listened with attention, and not without surprise.
”Really, Harry, it's quite an adventure, I call it,” he said. ”Do you know this man Temple?”
”I know that he's a sort of tramp. I didn't suppose he was a thief before.”
”You never saw this other man before?”
”No; never heard of him.”
”They're a pair of rascals, I reckon. Now, what have you thought of doing?”
”Of going to New York to-morrow to find out what I can about the burglary, or whatever else it was. If I can find out who has been robbed, I'll go and tell them about it, and where the bonds are hid.”
Uncle Obed nodded approvingly.