Part 19 (1/2)
Approaching the outer door he locked it.
”Now I cannot be surprised in that direction,” he thought. ”And if Hardwick or Ferris try to leave I can hide in the closet.”
Having made these preparations against being discovered, Hal approached the curtain to listen to whatever might be said.
”You say you wish you could fix Carson?” he heard Hardwick say.
”I do,” returned Ferris. ”I hate him, and I would do almost anything to get square.”
”Then I'll tell you of a little plan that you can work, d.i.c.k. I don't like the fellow myself, and it will delight me to see you get the best of him.”
”How does the beggar do the office work?”
”I must say first cla.s.s.”
”Humph! It didn't suit me, Hardwick. If there hadn't been other money----”
”Hus.h.!.+” cried the book-keeper, in alarm. ”That matter must remain a secret, never to be mentioned.”
CHAPTER IX.
THE PLOT AGAINST HAL.
Hal Carson was sure that he had just missed a most important statement.
”I wish Ferris had finished what he intended to say,” he thought.
He waited breathlessly for the two to go on.
”What makes you so scared?” asked Ferris. ”Can anybody hear us here?”
”I think not. Still we want to be careful.”
”Yes, but----”
”Not another word on that point, d.i.c.k.” Hardwick's voice grew stern. ”I am a man, while you are a boy, and I know what is best for both of us.”
”Well, have your own way.”
”I think it will be a wise plan for you to get Carson out of the way. He is altogether too smart a fellow to have around,” continued the book-keeper.
”I don't think he looks very smart,” sneered Ferris, who could not stand hearing Hal praised.
”He's smarter than you or most people think. That yarn about his being brought up in the poor-house may be true, but I have my doubts.”
”Why?” asked Ferris, in high curiosity.
”I can't explain now.” There was a brief pause. ”Here, take a cigar.