Part 21 (1/2)
Vincent began to pace the deck in a leisurely manner, in each case pa.s.sing near Tom, who was still engaged in conversation with Jennie Watson and her mother. For a time he was unable to effect his purpose, as our hero was sitting down. But after a while Tom rose, and stood with his back to Vincent. He wore a sack coat, with side pockets. This was favorable to Vincent, who, as he pa.s.sed, adroitly slipped the bills into one of them, without attracting the attention of our hero.
Presently Tom thrust his hand into his pocket mechanically. They encountered the bills. In surprise he drew them out, and looked at them in amazement.
”What's that, Tom?” asked Jennie, with great curiosity.
”It looks like money,” answered Tom, not yet understanding what had happened.
”You seem to be rich.”
”By gracious!--it's Mr. Waterbury's money,” exclaimed Tom. Then he colored, as it flashed upon him that its presence in his pocket might arouse suspicion. ”I don't see how it got there,” he continued, in a bewildered way.
Just then Mr. Waterbury came up, and was made acquainted with the discovery.
”I don't know what you'll think, Mr. Waterbury,” said Tom, coloring; ”I haven't the slightest idea how the money came in my pocket.”
”I have,” said Mr. Waterbury quietly.
Tom looked at him, to discover whether he was under suspicion.
”The companion of your friend Graham slipped it into your pocket. He was very quick and adroit, but I detected him. He wanted to throw suspicion upon you.”
”It is lucky you saw him, sir.”
”Why?”
”You might have suspected me.”
”My dear boy, don't trouble yourself about that. No circ.u.mstantial evidence will shake my confidence in your integrity.”
”Thank you, sir,” said Tom gratefully.
”What a wicked man to play a trick on you, Tom!” exclaimed Jennie indignantly.
”I see there is somebody else who has confidence in you, Tom,” said Mr.
Waterbury, smiling; ”I'd like to give him a piece of my mind.”
”I am ready to forgive him,” said Mr. Waterbury, ”as he has restored the money. It will do as a bait for the next thief.”
CHAPTER XIV.
COMING TO AN UNDERSTANDING.
”I believe, Tom,” said Mr. Waterbury, ”that I will come to an understanding with these officious acquaintances of yours. I will intimate to them that their persecution must cease.”
”Will they mind what you say, sir?”
”I think they will,” answered his friend quietly.