Part 33 (1/2)
”Of course, you will not object to letting me see the contents of your pockets, Edward,” said Mr. Wake, as Harry entered the office.
”Certainly not, sir;” and he turned every one of his pockets inside out.
Not one of the decoy pieces was found upon him, or any other coins, for that matter; he had no money. Mr. Wake was confused, for he fully expected to convict the culprit on the spot.
”I suppose I am indebted to this young man for this,” continued Edward, with a sneer. ”I'll bet five dollars he stole the money himself, if any has been stolen. Why don't you search him?”
”Search me, sir, by all means,” added Harry; and he began to turn his pockets out.
From his vest pocket he took out a little parcel wrapped in a shop bill.
”What's that?” said Edward.
”I don't know. I wasn't aware that there was any such thing in my pocket.”
”I suppose not,” sneered Edward.
”But you seem to know more about it than Edward,” remarked Mr. Wade, as he took the parcel.
”I know nothing about it.”
The senior opened the wrapper, and to his surprise and sorrow found it contained two of the marked coins. But he was not disposed hastily to condemn Harry. He could not believe him capable of stealing; besides, there was something in Edward's manner which seemed to indicate that our hero was the victim of a conspiracy.
”As he has been so very generous towards me, Mr. Wake,” interposed Edward, ”I will suggest a means by which you may satisfy yourself. My mother keeps Harry's money for him, and perhaps, if you look it over, you will find more marked pieces.”
”Mr. Wake, I'm innocent,” protested Harry, when he had in some measure recovered from the first shock of the heavy blow. ”I never stole a cent from anybody.”
”I don't believe you ever did, Harry. But can you explain how this money happened to be in your pocket?”
”I cannot, sir. If you wish to look at my money, Mrs. Flint will show it to you.”
”Perhaps I had better.”
”Don't let him go with you, though,” said Edward, maliciously.
Mr. Wake wrote an order to Mrs. Flint, requesting her to exhibit the money, and Harry signed it. The senior then hastened to Avery Street.
”Now, Master Spy!” sneered Edward, when he had gone. ”So you have been watching me, I thought as much.”
”I only did what Mr. Wade told me to do,” replied Harry, exceedingly mortified at the turn the investigation had taken.
”Humph! That is the way with you psalm-singers. Steal yourself, and lay it to me!”
”I did not steal. I never stole in my life.”
”Wait and see.”
In about half an hour Mr. Wake returned.
”I am sorry, Harry, to find that I have been mistaken in you. Is it possible that one who is outwardly so correct in his habits should be a thief? But your career is finished,” said he, very sternly, as he entered the office.