Part 47 (1/2)
”Yes, sir. I followed him into the place and watched him play.”
”Humph! Did he win?”
”No, sir, he lost heavily.”
Horace Sumner gave something like a groan.
”I am being deceived on all sides,” he said. ”If a man is a gambler he is often something worse. How about Hardwick?”
”I have reason to believe he went home last night. He gave a note to d.i.c.k Ferris and I followed Ferris. It nearly cost me my life.”
And Hal related the particulars. Horace Sumner listened with keen interest. When he learned how Hal had been struck down, and afterward found himself in the icy vat, he shuddered.
”That will never do,” he cried. ”Hal, you must give up running such risks. I would not have you lose your life for all the bonds in New York. We will call in one of the regular detectives and----”
”No, Mr. Sumner, I started on my theory and I wish to finish the work. I did not know how desperate the men were with whom I have to deal, but in the future I shall be prepared for them. And I wish to ask a favor.”
”What is it?”
”Will you advance me a little money? I may need it in traveling around, and my disguises may cost----”
”You shall have what you please, Hal. You are the only one I have in the office to depend on, and you are doing a remarkable work for one so young.”
”If you will let me have, say ten or fifteen dollars----”
”Here are fifty,” returned Mr. Sumner, handing over five crisp ten-dollar bills. ”When you need more let me know.”
”But--but I won't want this much!” gasped Hal.
”Yes, you will, if you are determined to go ahead. Don't let dollars stand in the way. Why, I have already spent one hundred and fifty dollars on the detectives, and they have done absolutely nothing.”
Without another word Hal pocketed the bills. As he did so there was a knock on the door, then it was flung open and a girl rushed in.
She was apparently a year or two younger than Hal, and had blue eyes, light hair, and a remarkably pretty face. She rushed up to Mr. Sumner and kissed him.
”Oh, papa, why didn't you tell me?” she burst out, with something like a sob in her voice.
”Tell you what, pet?” asked Mr. Sumner with a shadow on his face.
”About all those bonds being gone. Lucy Cavaler mentioned it to me this morning when I called on her to go shopping. Have you got them back?”
”Not yet, pet.”
”And who stole them?”
”I don't know. This young man and I have just been trying to find out.”
The girl turned to Hal, who took off his hat, bowed, and then blushed furiously.