Part 9 (1/2)
”Not positive, sir. I was busy writing, and did not notice him closely.”
”Did the man give any name?”
”No, sir.”
”I suppose you didn't know him?”
Hal shook his head. He was beginning to believe he had made a big mistake by not watching the stranger during the time he was in the office back of the railing.
”I believe I saw the man wink at this boy as he went out,” put in Hardwick. ”I am pretty certain the two knew each other.”
”That is not true,” burst out Hal.
For some reason, this insinuation made him think more than ever that the book-keeper was guilty.
”Which way did the man go?” went on the elderly broker.
”Toward Broadway,” replied Hal.
”Did he have anything under his arm?”
”He had a small bundle, but he had that when he came in.”
”About how large?”
Hal ill.u.s.trated with his hands.
”Probably that was an empty box, or something of that sort,” ventured Mr. Allen. ”He placed the tin box into it.”
”Quite likely,” returned Mr. Sumner.
”And the only question in my mind,” went on his partner, ”is whether or not this boy here was in with the fellow. If you will take my advice, Sumner, you will have him arrested without delay.”
CHAPTER V.
HAL DETERMINES TO ACT.
As Mr. Allen spoke he caught Hal by the shoulder.
”You had better own up, Carson,” he said, harshly.
”Let go of me!” retorted Hal, trying to break away.
”Not much! Do you think I am going to give you the chance to slide out of the door?”
”I have nothing to own up to, and I don't intend to run away,” panted the youth.
He broke away, and placed himself beside Mr. Sumner, who looked at him earnestly.