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The Tin Box, and What it Contained

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Год написания книги: 2017
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"Is he absent a part of his time?"

"Yes, sir; he is sometimes away for a month at a time."

"Probably he is in league with some criminals in the city, and may havean object in living where he does."

"I thought of that, sir."

"Did you recognize the other man?" the lawyer next asked.

"No, sir. It was no one I ever saw before; but I noticed his face well, and should know him again."

"So far, so good. Can you find or lead others to the place in the woodwhere the box was concealed?"

"Yes, sir; but I don't think they will leave it there long. Somethingought to be done soon."

"Something shall be done. By the way, have you mentioned what you saw toany person?"

"To only one – an old gentleman boarding at my mother's house."

The lawyer looked annoyed.

"I am sorry for that. It may be all over the village before you getback, and, in that case, your information may do no good."

"Don't be afraid, sir. Obed Wilkins can keep a secret."

"Obed Wilkins! Does he come from Illinois?"

"Yes, sir."

"I know him," said the lawyer, smiling. "In fact, he is a client ofmine. As you say, he can keep a secret. My boy – by the way, what is yourname?"

"Harry Gilbert."

"Very well, Harry, your chance of earning the reward offered is verygood."

"I did not come here with any thought of the reward."

"Perhaps not; but the owner can very well afford to pay it, and I adviseyou to accept it if your information leads to the recovery of the box."

"Doesn't it belong to you, sir?"

"Oh, no. It belongs to one of my clients. It disappeared from my officetwo days since. The owner is not yet aware of his loss, but I feltauthorized to offer the reward. May I count on your further help?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I shall send you at once with a note to a police officer, requesting two detectives to accompany you back. I shall give theminstructions, and they will probably go back with you to the country."

"Very well, sir."

Mr. Wheeler dashed off a few lines, properly addressed them, and handedthem to Harry.

"Use all dispatch," he said.

"I will," answered our hero, promptly.

As he left the inner office, the clerk outside regarded him curiously. He was surprised at the long interview accorded him, and wondered whatcould be his errand.

As Harry descended the stairs, he jostled a man who was ascending, andnaturally was led to look at him. Harry came near dropping with sheersurprise. The man he recognized at once as Vernon, one of the men whomhe had seen in the wood.

CHAPTER XXII

BROUGHT TO BAY

Harry felt that matters were getting exciting, and a crisis seemedimminent.

"I will hurry as fast as I can," he said. "I suppose he has come aboutthe tin box, too. I hope he will stay till I get back."

Vernon, little dreaming that he was recognized by the office boy – as hetook him to be – who had just jostled against him, kept on his wayupstairs. His appearance was that of a well-dressed man, not much overthirty, who might be filling a responsible business position in thecity. When, therefore, he said to the clerk, "Is Mr. Wheeler in?" hereceived a more polite reply than had been accorded to Harry fifteenminutes before.

"Mr. Wheeler?" he asked.

"Yes," said the lawyer, with his usual scrutinizing look.

"I should like to speak to you in private, sir."

"Another claimant for the reward," thought the lawyer.

"Very well," he said. "Have the kindness to close the door."

Vernon did so.

"Now," said the lawyer, abruptly, desiring to get through with hisinterview before Harry's return from his mission.

"You advertised for the recovery of a tin box of valuables?" said

Vernon.

"Yes."

"I may be able to assist you in the matter," said Vernon.

"Indeed! Then you know where it is?" said the lawyer, eying him keenly.

"I didn't say that, did I?" asked Vernon, smiling craftily.

"No; but you probably know – that is, if your information is of anyvalue."

"That isn't at all necessary," said Vernon, coolly. "I may say as muchas this, however that I am employed by those who do know the whereaboutsof the box."

"Then there was more than one connected with the robbery?"

"Yes," said Vernon, hesitating.

He saw that every word was noted, and afforded a basis for inferences.

"What do your employers authorize you to say?" asked the lawyer, sittingback in his chair.

"That they can lay their hands on the bonds at short notice, and areready to return them, if it is made worth their while."

"I suppose you have read my advertisement, Mr. – "

"Precisely," answered Vernon, not taking the hint and announcing hisname.

He might do so soon, but resolved not to be precipitate.

"Then you know what reward we offer."

"It isn't enough," said Vernon, briefly.

"Why not? It seems to me that two hundred and fifty dollars is a veryrespectable sum of money."

"I shall charge my clients as much as that for my agency," said Vernon, "and they naturally want something for their trouble and risk."

"Do you know how much the box contains?"

"Yes; my clients have told me."

"Do they realize that, if they refuse my offer, they will findconsiderable trouble in negotiating the bonds?"

"Yes; but they can do it. There are parties who will advance them muchmore than the reward, and take the risk, holding them till such time asthe affair is forgotten."

"What parties?"

"Do you suppose I will tell you that, sir?" asked Vernon, cunningly.

Mr. Wheeler did not, but he was only filling up the time. He had made uphis mind that the man before him was something more than the agent ofthe thieves, and he now wished to protract the interview till Harryshould have had time to return with the two detectives.

"No," he replied, "I can hardly expect you to answer that question. Ishould like to ask you, however, whether you have had any conversationwith your clients about the sum they would consider sufficient to repaythem for their 'trouble'?"

"Yes, sir; that subject has come up between us."

"Well?"

"I think, sir, you will have to multiply the reward you offer by ten."

"Whew!" exclaimed the lawyer, who was not at all surprised, however.

"This is a large sum."

"It is only about one-sixth the market value of the bonds."

"I don't think my client would consent to pay so large a sum as that."

"Then your client must be prepared to lose the whole amount."

"It appears to me that a thousand dollars would be an adequate, not tosay a handsome, reward."

"What would it amount to divided among four persons, after paying me mycommission?"

"Then there were four persons engaged in the theft?"

"Better say in the removal of the deposits. It sounds better."

"Call it so, if you like. Doesn't it occur to you that it hardlyrequired as many as four persons to remove the tin box, weighing withits contents, not over two pounds?"

"I suppose one could have lifted it," said Vernon, smiling.

"True; but do you know it is my theory that two persons were engaged?"

Vernon started, and scanned his companion's face anxiously. Did he knowanything? That was what he asked himself.

"You can form any theories you please," he said, with a forced smile.

"They won't alter facts."

"You are right, Mr. – "

"You may call me Thompson."

"Very well, Mr. Thompson."

By this time a foot was heard upon the stairs. The door opened, and

Harry Gilbert entered.

He came forward, not appearing to notice the visitor, and placed in Mr.

Wheeler's hand a scrap of paper, on which he had written in pencil:

"The man with you is one of the robbers. I can identify him. I met himas I was going out. The two detectives are in the entry. I thought itbest not to bring them in till I had a chance to tell you this."

Mr. Wheeler's eyes lighted up as he read this scrap, and he lookedapprovingly at Harry.

"Quite right," he said. Then, turning to Vernon, he continued: "I don'tthink we can come to terms. I have reason to doubt whether you can carryout your promise and deliver the property."

"I suppose this is a bluff game, intended to deceive me," said Vernon, showing symptoms of anger. "I can assure you that it will do you nogood."

"I may find out elsewhere the location of the box."

"Impossible! I, and I alone – that is, outside of the men who employme – can give you this information. They will follow my advice, whateverit is, and I shall advise them not to surrender the box until theyreceive an adequate reward."

"Such as the sum you name?"

"Yes."

"Wouldn't two thousand dollars tempt you?" asked the lawyer.

"I think not. Still, I will consult them. I might advise them to acceptthat sum."

"My dear sir, I don't want to deceive you. I attach very littleimportance to your information, or your power in this matter. In fact, Ihave a theory as to the place where the box is concealed."

"Indeed, sir," said Vernon, with a sneer. "May I ask what is yourtheory?"

"Certainly. I think it is concealed near some country town, in asecluded spot in a wood."

Vernon jumped to his feet in dismay. He was convinced that hisconfederate had got the start of him and made a bargain with the lawyer, thus anticipating his own treachery, for he had promised Temple that hewould suffer some time to elapse before communicating with anyone on thesubject.

"Who has been here?" he asked.

"One who saw you and your confederate bury the box," answered thelawyer, sternly.

Without a word, Vernon dashed from the office, only to be seized by thetwo detectives, who had come provided with handcuffs.

"This is an infamous conspiracy!" declared Vernon, furiously. "If Ralph

Temple has betrayed me —

"Harry," said the lawyer, "do you recognize this man?"

Vernon stared in surprise at the supposed office boy.

"Yes, sir."

"Where did you see him last?"

"In Pegan Hill Wood, in the town of Waybridge."

"What was he doing?"

"Burying a tin box in a hole which he dug for the purpose."

"Who was with him?"

"A man named Ralph Temple."

"What do you say to this, Mr. Thompson?" asked the lawyer.

Vernon turned to Harry.

"Where were you at the time?" he asked.

"In a tree just overhead," answered Harry, undauntedly.

"I was a fool not to look more carefully about me," he said. "What isyour name?"

"Harry Gilbert."

"Then, Mr. Harry Gilbert, I owe you a debt which, sooner or later, Ishall manage to pay."

"Take him away," said the lawyer to the detectives, "and then come backto me for instructions."

CHAPTER XXIII

FINDING THE BOX

"My boy," said the lawyer, turning to Harry, "you have done yourselfcredit. A grown man could not have shown more judgment."

"Thank you, sir," said Harry, pleased at the compliment.

"But your work is not yet done. As soon as the detectives have returned, you must go back at once to Waybridge with them, and lead them to theplace where the box is concealed."

"I am ready, sir," replied Harry. "But," he added, with a sudden thoughtof one of his errands, "will there be time for me to go to Wall Streetfirst?"

"Why do you want to go to Wall Street?"

"I have some coupons which I am to sell for Mr. Wilkins."

"To what amount?"

"Ninety dollars gold."

"I will myself give you the money for them, as that will save time. Should the search for the box be successful, I will take upon me to payyou the reward as soon as you desire it."

"Thank you, sir."

Harry might have declined the reward, but he felt, justly, that he hadrendered a valuable service to the unknown owner of the bonds, and wasentitled to it.

Presently the detectives came back.

"Well," said the lawyer.

"He is safe under lock and key," promptly answered one of them.

"How did he appear?"

"Sullen and despondent. He vows vengeance against this boy."

"Probably he will not be in a position for some years to harm him. Andnow I have some instructions to give you."

Half an hour later Harry and the two detectives were passengers on atrain bound for a town not far from Waybridge. It was a differentrailroad, however, from the one on which Harry had come. The choice wasmade from a desire to avoid suspicion.

From a point four miles distant they took a carriage, hired from astable, which left them on the opposite side of the wood from the one bywhich Harry had previously entered.

Of course, they could not penetrate the wood with a vehicle, and thequestion came up:

"Who can be got to look after it?"

Just then Harry saw in a field near-by Reuben Richardson – the boy whohad released him from his bonds.

"Reuben!" he called out

Reuben approached, regarding Harry and his companions with surprise.

"Have you an hour to spare?" asked one of the detectives.

"Yes, sir."

"Then please look after this team, and I'll see that you don't lose yourtime."

"All right, sir."

Then, free from all anxiety, the three made their way into the forest. The way seemed blind enough to the two detectives, who were, of course, on unfamiliar ground.

"Are you sure you can find the place?" asked one of them, doubtfully, addressing himself to Harry.

"Sure," answered Harry, briefly.

"It seems blind."

"I know the wood well. I have played here from a boy."

"Where does this Temple live?" asked the second detective.

"In the edge of the wood."

"Near here?"

"No, on the other side of the wood."

"It is to be hoped he has not grown distrustful and removed the box."

"I don't think there is any danger of it, sir. Remember, it is only lastnight that it was concealed. Besides, he wouldn't dare to attempt it inthe daytime, when he would be liable to be seen."

"Quite right. You are unusually considerate for a boy."

Harry did not disappoint his companions. He led the way to the placewhere, the night previous, he had seen the tin box secreted, andinstantly pointed out the exact spot where it was concealed.

The two detectives lost no time in searching for it. They had brought noshovel with them, lest, being seen, their object might excite suspicion; but, by means of sticks which they sharpened into stakes with the helpof sharp jackknives, they turned up the earth, and, in due time, revealed the box.

"There it is," said Harry, joyfully, for he was also helping, and it washis stake that struck it first.

"So it is," exclaimed the first detective, in a tone of satisfaction.

There was no loss of time in lifting the box from its place ofconcealment. Then it was thought best to replace the earth, andcarefully to cover the place with leaves, so as to hide from thesuperficial observer the fact that it had been disturbed.

"Our errand is accomplished," said the second detective. "Now let usmake all haste back to our wagon."

"I will guide you," said Harry.

"Do so, or there is no knowing when we shall get back, or whether weshall get back at all. I once lost my way in a wood, and was wanderingabout four good hours, and all within a radius of two miles, before Igot out. It is difficult to keep your direction in a forest, unless youhave a compass."

So Harry, who had expected it, served as a guide on the return, andconducted them safely to the wagon.

Reuben was paid for his service with a dollar bill, which he declared heshould have considered satisfactory for a whole day's labor.

Harry was about to say good-by to his companions, but they advised himto ride back with them to a point on the road where he could make hisway to Waybridge without the trouble of passing through the wood, besides having a less distance to go.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"Two o'clock," answered one of the detectives, consulting his watch.

"Only two o'clock!"

Harry could scarcely believe it, so much had happened since he got up inthe morning, yet it was even so. It had taken very little time to do hisbusiness in the city, as we know, and almost half the day still laybefore him.

Harry thought of what he had accomplished with pardonable pride andsatisfaction. He had frustrated the plans of two daring thieves, causedthe arrest of one of them, and the probable speedy arrest of the other, arranged for the restoration to the owner of a valuable property, andearned for himself the munificent sum of two hundred and fifty dollars.

Nothing particular happened on his homeward walk.

"Got home so soon, Harry?" asked Uncle Obed, as our hero entered thelittle cottage.

"Yes, sir; and here's the money for your coupons."

"How about that other matter, Harry?"

"It came out all right. Where's mother?"

"Gone to call on one of the neighbors."

"Then I'll tell you about it; but I don't want to say a word to mothertill the whole thing is settled."

CHAPTER XXIV

PHILIP IN A TIGHT PLACE

Ralph Temple was still at his cottage, or, more properly, hut, waitingimpatiently for Vernon to reappear, that he might obtain his share ofthe contents of the tin box.

He had led a lawless life, and more than once been engaged in dishonesttransactions, but never in one of such magnitude as the present. Hecalculated that, even if they surrendered the box in consideration of areward, he would not receive less than a thousand dollars, and he wasplanning how he would dispose of this sum.

This was the project which he fixed upon: For years he had been desirousof visiting California, in the hope that chances of getting rich, honestly or dishonestly, might be met with in a State whose very namewas suggestive of gold. With a thousand dollars he would feel justifiedin going. Moreover, there would be an advantage in leaving a part of thecountry where he was an object of suspicion to the authorities, and wasliable at any time to be arrested for complicity in more than onequestionable transaction.

In his lonely hut he knew nothing of the developments in the lastrobbery – whether any reward had been offered as yet. This wasnecessarily left in the hands of Vernon, while he remained to guard thehidden treasure.

A state of suspense is all the harder to bear when a man has nothingelse to divert his thoughts, and this was the case with Temple.

"What if the box should be discovered?" was the thought that hauntedhim.

Finally, though he had once before visited the hiding-place of the tinbox, he decided to go again, and started at such a time that he arrivedabout an hour after Harry and the detectives had unearthed and removedit.

Meanwhile, it becomes necessary to state that Philip Ross, whosecuriosity was excited by the continued absence of Harry, made up hismind once more to visit the wood to see if he could discover any tracesof his victim.

"He's hiding in the wood so as to make an excitement," thought Philip.

"He'll make a great fuss about what we did to him."

In fact, Philip was getting a little anxious about the results of hishigh-handed treatment of Harry. He was not sure but Harry might have himarrested, and this excited his fears. He admitted to himself, reluctantly, that tying a boy hand and foot, and leaving him all nightin the forest, was rather more than a joke.

He called at the hotel for Congreve, but was told that he had gone toride.

After a little hesitation, he decided to go to the wood alone, carryingwith him, by way of precaution, a stout cane which belonged to hisfather, to defend himself with in case Harry should be lying in wait andmake an attack upon him.

On his way he had occasion to pass by the locality of the hiddentreasure, though, of course, he knew nothing about this.

Just at the spot he heard a tramping in the fallen leaves, and, lookingup hastily, saw Ralph Temple approaching.

Now, Temple, as we know, was a man of questionable reputation, and, moreover, once already he and Congreve had had an angry altercation withhim. It is not much wonder, therefore, that Philip's heart beat withfear at the prospect of meeting this man alone, so far from help.

He could not get away without attracting attention, and, therefore, asthe best thing under the circumstances, hid himself behind the broadtrunk of a stately oak tree, and in fear and trembling waited for theunwelcome intruder to depart.

Ralph came along, with a quick, swinging gait. He was a tall man, ofstrong frame, and an unprepossessing countenance appropriate enough tohis character and reputation.

His first glance was directed toward the spot where he had helped burythe box upon which his future plans depended.

There was something that startled him in the evident displacement of theleaves, as if there had been others there since the morning.

"Can it have been taken?" he asked himself, with a thrill of anxiety.

He strode forward hurriedly, and, removing the leaves, discovered signsof recent disturbance. Most suspicious of all, he found one of thestakes, the end soiled with dirt, which had been used by thedetectives.

With a beating heart and a muttered imprecation, he began to dig down toascertain whether his apprehensions were justified.

Philip, peering from behind the tree, was very much alarmed by thisincomprehensible proceeding.

What could the man be doing? Was he insane? He blamed his folly inseeking again this dangerous neighborhood after the encounter of themorning.

"Oh, if I were only safe at home," he mentally ejaculated; "or, if

Congreve were with me. If he discovers me he may kill me."

He thought of running away, but in the silence of the forest his stepswould undoubtedly be heard, and he would be pursued. So it seemed mostprudent to stay where he was. In fear and trembling he continued towatch the dreadful outlaw.

It was not long before Temple made the unwelcome discovery, suspectedfrom the first, that the box was gone. He desisted from his work andgave vent to such a volley of imprecations that Philip trembled as if hehad an ague fit.

Could it be, Temple asked himself, that Vernon had proved false to him, and, returning, conveyed away the box for his own individual profit?

"If he has, I'll kill him," he muttered, in a deep, growling tone.

Philip heard him, and his heart beat fast with fear. Who did Temple wantto kill? Was it himself or Congreve?

"I'd give a thousand dollars, if I had it, to be at home," thought themiserable boy.

As for Temple, he was no less miserable. All his hopes and anticipationswere dashed. The disappearance of the tin box, whoever might haveremoved it, would render it impossible to carry out plans of Californianemigration with which he had been solacing himself all the morning. Sucha big haul as the present might never be made again.

His first suspicion fell upon his partner, but he also thought of thetwo whom he had met in the forenoon in the wood. They had beensuspiciously near the spot, and might be implicated in the loss. Itdidn't seem probable, but it was possible.

At this inauspicious moment Philip, yielding to a tickling in the throatwhich he couldn't overcome, coughed. It was not a loud cough, but Templeheard it.

He instantly started for the quarter from which the sound proceeded, andin a few seconds discovered and dragged Philip by the collar from behindthe tree.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, sternly.

"Nothing," answered Philip, trembling.

"Ha! You are one of the boys that I caught prowling round here thismorning."

"I have as much right here as you," said Philip, plucking up a littlecourage.

"Have you? We'll see about that," snarled Temple. "Where's the otherfellow?"

"He isn't here."

"Isn't here? I don't believe it. He's hiding somewhere near."

"Then you can find him," said Philip, sullenly.

"No matter! I've got you, you rascal!" And he shook Philip fiercely.

"What villainous work have you been up to?"

"I don't know what you mean," said Philip, his teeth chattering. "I amthe son of Colonel Ross, and he won't allow me to be treated this way."

"I'd treat him the same way if I caught him here," growled Temple, witha lack of reverence for the colonel's exalted position, which struckPhilip with horror. "Now, tell me what you have done with the tin box, you young scoundrel!"

"The tin box!" ejaculated Philip, in genuine amazement.

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