Part 41 (1/2)
”Good-morning, sir, and thank you.”
”By the way,” the lawyer added, ”I shall bear you in mind, and, should I have any work which I think you can do, I will send for you.”
”I shall be glad to serve you in any way, sir.”
So saying, Harry left the office. He was so much in a hurry to show his present at home that, though it was still early, he decided to take the next train, which would bring him home about noon.
His mother and Mr. Wilkins had just seated themselves at the dinner table when Harry entered.
”What! home already, Harry?” asked his mother, in surprise.
”I judge from your tone, mother, that you haven't got enough dinner for me,” said Harry, gayly.
”If that's the case, I'll eat a little less,” said Uncle Obed. ”But why didn't you stay longer?”
”Because I got through with my business, and thought I might as well come home,” answered Harry.
By this time his mother's eyes happened to fall on the silver chain displayed across his vest.
”What is that, Harry?” she asked.
Harry drew out the watch, with pardonable pride.
”Where did you get it?” asked his mother, in amazement.
”A lawyer in New York gave it to me.”
”But what lawyer do you know, my son?” asked his mother, more and more bewildered.
”That isn't all, mother. Look at that!”
Harry drew out the package of bonds, and displayed them to his astonished mother.
She at once concluded that he had found them.
”They are not yours, Harry,” she said. ”If you found them, you must restore them to the owner.”
”So I will, Mrs. Gilbert. I give these bonds to you, and recommend you to take good care of them.”
”What does all this mean, Harry? You cannot give away what does not belong to you.”
Harry felt that it was time to explain, and he did so. It was necessary to begin with the account of Philip's treatment of him in the wood.
Mrs. Gilbert was very indignant, and she spoke warmly.
”It was shameful!” she said. ”To leave you there alone in the dark wood, tied hand and foot! The boy ought to be served in the same way himself!”
”Wait till I get through my story, mother,” he said, ”and perhaps you will find that Philip got into a little trouble of his own.”
So he continued his story, and told, finally, of how he found Philip Ross bound, and trembling for his life, in the cabin of Ralph Temple.