Part 23 (1/2)
”Did it really disturb your father?” asked Faith, very eagerly.
”I should say it did!” remarked Mr. Denton, soberly. ”Why, the man can't eat nor sleep! I believe her spirit is haunting him!”
CHAPTER XXI.
A CHANGE IN MR. DENTON.
”Well, Hardy what have you found out about the Watkins family? Something satisfactory, I hope!”
Mr. Forbes spoke to the detective with unusual good nature.
But Hardy closed the office door and advanced to the desk where the superintendent was sitting.
”On the contrary, sir; I have found things very unsatisfactory,” was his answer. ”Watkins is in the hospital, half dead from brain fever, his mother is a feeble old woman without a penny, and as for that young scamp who stole your money, he's among the missing--he's vamoosed entirely!”
”Well, why don't you find him?” asked Mr. Forbes, a little less pleasantly. ”That's what I told you to do! Didn't you understand my orders?”
”I haven't had time to find him,” muttered the detective, sullenly.
”He's been spirited away. I think he's out of the city.”
”So you see no way of getting back that three hundred dollars. Well, there's got to be a way! We can't afford to lose it!”
”Lose what?” asked Mr. Denton, coming in just then.
Mr. Forbes hastily repeated the detective's information.
”You say the mother is penniless and young Watkins critically ill? Well, I should think that was trouble enough for one family,” said Mr. Denton slowly. ”Mr. Forbes, it is my wish that you should stop right here! I wish you to drop the matter of the money completely.”
”What!”
Mr. Forbes wheeled around in his chair and stared at his partner.
”I mean it,” said Mr, Denton, ”and, what is more, I command it! As senior partner of this firm I expect my orders to be respected!”
Mr. Forbes made a heroic effort at self-control. When he could trust his voice he attempted to answer.
”Perhaps you have forgotten, Mr. Denton, that we are drawing on our funds very heavily this week. There are those alterations in the bas.e.m.e.nt to satisfy the Board of Health and two hundred dollars for that Miss Jennings' funeral. Neither of these expenses would have been incurred if I had not been absent so much of late; but is it wise, do you think, to add to these the three hundred that Sam Watkins robbed us of?”
Mr. Denton seemed to ignore the last half of the sentence. His mind was dwelling upon the other things mentioned.
”What I have not forgotten, Mr. Forbes, is this,” he said, quietly: ”That funeral that you speak of has given us one of the biggest free 'ads.' that this firm has ever enjoyed. Why, the s.p.a.ce it occupies in one paper alone is worth at least a thousand dollars! And, so far as the alterations are concerned--well, I have just ordered them stopped. I'm going to close up that room to employees altogether!”
If the sky had fallen Mr. Forbes could not have been any more surprised.
Even the hardened detective almost gasped in astonishment.
”But you have no right to do this,” growled Mr. Forbes. ”You should consult your partners in such matters, Mr. Denton.”
Mr. Denton smiled grimly at the angry man's words.