Part 39 (2/2)
”Ben writes me that he is there.”
”Will you let me see the letter?”
”No, I won't.”
”That convinces me that it's all a humbug.”
”You think the letter a hoax?”
”Yes, I do.”
”What reason have you for thinking so?”
”I decline to state.”
”Who do you think wrote it?”
”How should I know?”
”As you know so much, I don't mind telling you that you are right.
The letter was a hoax.”
Sam laughed heartily.
”I thought so,” he said.
”And I know who wrote it.”
Sam didn't laugh now.
”Who?” he asked uncomfortably.
”You did it.”
”What do you mean?” bl.u.s.tered Sam.
”Exactly what I say. Otherwise you would have had no reason to suspect the genuineness of it.”
”Does Ben Bradford charge me with it? Just wait till I see him.”
”That will be some time unless you go to Boston. Jones & Porter happened to have a vacancy, and Ben stepped into it.
Your letter got him a place.”
”I don't believe it,” said Sam faintly.
”It's true, and it's lucky for you. If Ben had been obliged to come home he would have given you the worst licking you ever had.”
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