Part 9 (2/2)
”I believe the boy speaks the truth,” he said, firmly.
”You do?” cried Hardwick and Allen, in concert.
”I mean in so far as he says he is innocent,” added the elderly broker, hastily. ”Of course, I believe he is mistaken in supposing that either of you had anything to do with this robbery.”
”Oh!” returned Mr. Allen.
”That's different,” said Hardwick.
Both of them looked relieved.
”I wish he had watched this stranger.”
”I wish that myself, Mr. Sumner,” cried Hal. ”If he stole the tin box, then I am mostly responsible, although I supposed the man was some business man around here, and was to be trusted.”
”I don't understand one thing,” said the elderly broker. ”I am almost sure I locked the safe when I went away yesterday afternoon.”
”So you did,” said Mr. Allen. ”I saw you do it.”
”Then, how could the stranger have opened it?”
”Didn't Carson know the combination?” asked Hardwick, who seemed determined to convict Hal.
”I think not.”
”Indeed I did not!” cried the youth. ”I never worked a safe combination in my life.”
”I saw him watching you open the door yesterday morning,” went on the book-keeper. ”Do you dare deny it?” he continued, turning to Hal.
”I certainly do deny it,” retorted Hal. ”I might have been looking that way, but I did not watch him, and I do not know how it was done.”
”You did not notice if the door was open after I was gone, did you?”
said Mr. Sumner, turning to the book-keeper.
”It was closed,” replied Hardwick, promptly.
”You are certain?”
”Yes, sir. When I left Carson here alone I saw to it that both safes and the main desks were closed.”
”Why did you do that?” put in Mr. Allen, knowing well what the answer would be.
”I saw no necessity for trusting Carson, who was totally unknown to us.”
”That was right, Hardwick.” Mr. Allen turned to his partner. ”I believe, Sumner, you took in Carson without recommendations.”
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