Part 32 (1/2)
”One that was coming to him?”
”No, one that he had sent out. It was to go in the morning mail. Henry Bott said the squire wouldn't have lost the letter for a small mint of money.”
”What did it contain?”
”He said the squire wouldn't say. It was addressed to some party in New York, I believe.”
”It is strange the squire wouldn't mention the contents of the letter. The authorities ought to know if they are to trace it.”
”So I should think. But Squire Paget said it was strictly private.”
”Maybe he imagines you have his letter,” mused Mrs. Nelson. ”I suppose I am foolish for thinking so, but I fancied he had something on his mind when he first began to speak of the robbery.”
”You may be right, mother. That would explain why he was so persistent in getting after me.”
”You have not seen Percy?”
”No. I understood from Dan Pickley that he had gone to Chambersburgh for a few days on a visit.”
”Then the squire cannot be influenced by what his son can say.”
”No; this is solely his own doings,” returned Ralph.
They talked the matter over at some length, but could arrive at no satisfactory conclusion regarding Squire Paget's bitter enmity. Time must solve the mystery for them.
Ralph had been out distributing circulars for Mr. Dunham. On the following morning he went across the lake to put in his last day at the work.
He had thought the matter over, and finding the sporting goods dealer at leisure, asked him if there was any opening in the store.
”I am sorry to say there is not, Ralph,” said Mr. Dunham.
”I am willing to do anything, both in the place and out, if you can only employ me steadily.”
”I know that, Ralph. But the truth of the matter is, my brother has asked me to take his son in, just for his board and clothing, and I have consented. I couldn't do less.”
”I suppose not, sir.”
”If there is an opening, I will let you know. I like you, and I am well satisfied with the way in which you are putting out the hand-bills.”
”You do not know of anybody that needs help?”
The storekeeper thought a moment.
”I do not,” he said.
Ralph then told him of the offer he had had to sell novelties on the road to stationery dealers.
”I would not advise you to go into that, Ralph. It is only those who have had considerable experience in the line that make even a fair living by it.
The likelihood is that you would make little or nothing for a month or two, perhaps the first year. Get a regular job if you can, at certain wages.”