Part 63 (1/2)

In the meantime Parsons tried to jump through the door-way leading to the library. In order to do this he had to pa.s.s Horace Sumner, and putting out his foot the old broker sent the man sprawling to the floor, and then ended his struggles by sitting down on him so suddenly that Parsons' wind was knocked completely out of him.

Hal still confronted Hardwick, whose eyes were fairly blazing with pa.s.sion.

”Give me the box!” commanded Hal. ”Quick! I mean what I say.”

Instead of complying Hardwick made a vicious blow for Hal's head. The boy dodged, but in doing so slipped and went down on his back.

Before he could recover, Hardwick sprang for one of the open windows, and leaped through, carrying part of the long sash with him.

He had hardly disappeared when Hal was on his feet again. Without hesitation the youth followed through the broken window. Hardwick was making for the road, where stood a team of horses attached to a fine sleigh.

”If he gets away in that he and the tin box are goners!” was Hal's rapid conclusion. ”I must stop him at all hazards.”

Hardwick had a good start, but Hal made quick time after him, and when the ex-book-keeper reached the sleigh the boy was not a dozen yards behind.

”Stop, Hardwick!” he cried.

”Not much, Carson! Take that!”

Hardwick pulled out his weapon. There were two reports in rapid succession. Hal was struck in the side, and Hardwick stumbled down.

Hal was quite badly hurt, but he braced up and staggered to where Hardwick lay.

”Now give up the tin box,” he ordered, in as steady a voice as he could.

”Never to you!” roared Hardwick. ”You have been the cause of all my trouble. Take that!”

He fired. One bullet grazed Hal's shoulder, the others flew wide of their mark. Then the boy took the b.u.t.t of his own weapon and with one blow on Hardwick's head knocked the villain unconscious.

The mist was swimming before his eyes as he gathered up the tin box and its precious contents, and staggered toward the house. The policemen had made prisoners of the gang, and Horace Sumner ran out to meet the youth.

”You are shot, Hal?” he cried, in quick alarm.

”Yes, Mr. Sumner--I--I am shot,” was the low reply. ”But here is the tin box and--the--bonds--safe.”

And with these words Hal pitched over insensible into the broker's arms.

CHAPTER x.x.xII.

A SURPRISING REVELATION.

Horace Sumner was terribly alarmed. Paying no attention to the tin box, he knelt down and raised Hal up on his knee.

”Shot in the shoulder and in the side,” he murmured after a brief examination. ”Oh, I trust it be not serious!”

All of the prisoners had been handcuffed, and one of the officers followed Mr. Sumner out.

”Hullo! is he shot?” he cried.