Part 21 (1/2)
”With this boy's help we can. Don't trouble yourself to invent excuses. You have been suspected for some time.”
”The boy lies,” said Smithson fiercely.
”If he does it will be found out. Come along with me.”
Much against his will, Smithson walked arm-in-arm with the detective. Ben was notified to be in attendance at court the next morning, at ten o'clock, to testify against his new friend.
”I am more of a greenhorn than I thought,” Ben said to himself.
”Who would have thought such a polite young man was a counterfeiter!”
About four o'clock Ben went up-town to Mr. Manning's boarding-house, and remained there till the merchant arrived.
Chapter XIII
A Curious Old Lady
The next morning Mr. Manning introduced Ben to his temporary ward, a bright, attractive little girl, who seemed to take an instant fancy to our hero.
”Is he my brother?” she inquired of Mr. Manning.
”He is going to be your brother, if you like,” was the smiling reply.
”I am glad of it,” said the little girl, putting her hand confidingly in Ben's.
Ben was not much used to girls, never having had a sister, but it occurred to him that he should find it very pleasant to have Emma in the house.
”Are you willing to leave the city and go home with your new brother?” asked Mr. Manning.
”Yes,” said Emma promptly. ”When are we going?”
”This afternoon. You will sail on a big boat, and then ride on the cars. Shall you like that?”
”Ever so much,” said Emma, clapping her hands. ”You will take care of me, won't you?” appealing to Ben.
”Oh, yes, I'll take care of you,” said Ben manfully.
”I think you had better go to Boston on the Fall River line,” said Mr.
Manning. ”That will give you nearly all night on the boat, and you can have a comfortable night's rest. Indeed, I think you may as well remain on board till the half-past-six train starts. That will get you into Boston about nine o'clock, in time for a late breakfast.
What time can you go to Milltown?”
”There is a train at half-past ten.”
”That will answer very well. Now, if you will come down-town with me, I will engage pa.s.sage for you.”
Ben accompanied Mr. Manning to the office of the steamers, and pa.s.sage tickets were obtained and paid for.
At four o'clock, Ben and his young charge were seated in the showy cabin of the immense Sound steamer which plies between New York and Fall River.