Part 24 (1/2)
He had hardly spoken, when Hal strode over with such a determined air that Ferris was forced to beat a retreat until he backed up against a side table.
”You know you are saying what isn't so,” said Hal, in a low voice. ”And I want you to take it back.”
”I--I am telling the truth,” stammered Ferris.
”It is false. It is more likely that you entered Mr. Saunders' room yourself.”
”When did you see Carson enter my room?” put in the dry-goods clerk.
”Just as I was getting ready to come down.”
”Why didn't you speak of it before?” asked Mrs. Ricket.
”I thought he had gone in to see Tom.”
”There is not a word of truth in what he says, and he knows it,” said Hal, calmly. ”It is merely a scheme to get me into trouble because he does not like me.”
”No scheme about it,” bl.u.s.tered Ferris. ”If I were you I'd search his room.”
”If the stolen things are there, Ferris put them there,” added Hal, quickly.
”Mean to say I'm a thief?” roared Ferris, turning red in the face.
”I do.”
”Take care, or I'll give you a sound thras.h.i.+ng.”
”Similar to the one you gave me the other day, I presume,” replied Hal.
”I am ready for you at any time.”
”We don't want any fighting in the house,” cried Mrs. Ricket. ”This affair is bad enough without making it worse. Mr. Carson, do you object to me and Mr. Saunders going up to your room?”
”Not at all. Come on.”
Hal led the way, followed by the others. d.i.c.k Ferris smiled darkly to himself as he came on behind.
”He'll find out he can't insult me for nothing,” he muttered to himself.
The room reached, Hal threw open the door, and allowed Mrs. Ricket to pa.s.s him.
”You had better make the search,” he said. ”That will be fair all around.”
”I will. Oh, what a trouble all this is.” And crying softly to herself, the landlady began her investigation.
Nothing was found in the closet nor in the drawer of the table. Then Hal's meager possessions were hauled over, and still nothing came to light.
”Look in the bureau drawer,” suggested Saunders, anxiously.
Mrs. Ricket did so. From the rear the woman brought forth a large flat box, rolled up in a newspaper.