Part 63 (2/2)

”Yes.”

”Where is the fellow with the tin box?”

”The box is here, safe. There lies the fellow. Arrest him, and fix it so he cannot get away.”

The policeman at once hurried to Hardwick's side, and before the ex-book-keeper had fully recovered consciousness he was handcuffed and then placed in a room with the other prisoners.

”What are you going to do with us?” he demanded of the policeman who stood guard at the door, pistol in hand.

”You will see later. Not another word now.”

And Hardwick was forced to keep silent, as were also the others.

There was another house not far distant, and getting the sleigh, Mr.

Sumner placed Hal's form into it, and drove him around to the door.

Matters were quickly explained, and as the broker showed that he was a wealthy man, and well able to pay for accommodations, Hal was at once lifted into the house and placed on a comfortable bed in one of the upper rooms.

”Send for the nearest doctor, please,” said Horace Sumner. ”And tell him he must come at once, no matter what the expense. Tell him I am Horace Sumner, the broker, of Wall Street.”

The man about the place at once hurried off, and placing the tin box, which he had picked up out of the snow, on the table, Horace Sumner bent over Hal's motionless form, and sought by every means in his power to restore him to consciousness.

In working over Hal's clothing the golden locket the youth considered his birthright came to light. For the moment Horace Sumner paid no attention to it, but placed it on top of the tin box.

At last Hal opened his eyes and stared around him.

”Hal, how do you feel?” questioned the old broker, with real anxiety in his tones.

”Mr. Sumner! the box--did you----”

”It is safe, Hal.”

”I am so glad,” and a smile came over the pallid face.

”But, my poor boy, you are hurt--Hardwick shot you. Can't you feel it?”

”Yes, in my side and my shoulder, but I don't think it's very bad, and I'll soon----”

Before Hal could finish he fainted away. Less than ten minutes later the man about the place returned with an experienced physician.

”Not dangerously wounded,” was his opinion, after a thorough examination. ”He will be as sound as a dollar in a couple of months. But he ought not to be moved for several weeks.”

”He shall not be,” said Horace Sumner.

And he at once made arrangements with the owner of the house to have the use of that room and the next for the entire time mentioned with board and care for a nurse and Hal.

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