The Tin Box, and What it Contained
"Where is he now?"
"In prison, awaiting trial."
Temple looked better satisfied. He had suspected Vernon of turning
State's evidence and betraying him.
"But how was he found out?" he asked, after a pause.
"The night you hid the tin box in the wood, there was some one who sawall that passed."
"Who was that?" asked Temple, eagerly.
"You will know in due time."
"Where are you taking me now?"
"To the county jail."
"Where is the tin box?"
"In the hands of the man from whom you stole it, There, I have answeredyour questions, and have no more to say."
"What do you think will be done with me?" asked Temple, anxiously.
The officer shrugged his shoulders.
"Gentlemen of your profession," he said, "are generally well informed onthat point. If found guilty, you will be boarded at the expense of thecounty for a term of years."
"Curse the luck!" uttered Temple, savagely, and then was silent.
Philip had left them, and was on his way home, glad to get out of hispredicament, but more incensed than ever against Harry for themortification he had put upon him in compelling him to beg his pardon.
"I'll get even with him, see if I don't," he muttered.
When Harry and the officer had lodged their prisoner in jail, the lattersaid:
"I nearly forgot to tell you that Mr. Wheeler wishes you to call at hisoffice to-morrow."
"In the morning?"
"As you please."
"I think I will go up by the morning train," said Harry, after a littlereflection.
"Then you will be likely to meet me on the train. I shall be apassenger."
"I will look for you. I shall be glad to have company."
"By the way, that was very creditable work of yours, ferreting out thebond robbers."
"I was lucky, that is all," answered Harry, modestly.
"Partly so, but you have showed excellent judgment throughout, andpersonal bravery."
"Don't flatter me, Mr. Pry. You may make me conceited."
"You ought to be one of us."
"I don't think I should like it," said Harry, slowly.
"Perhaps not, but you're fitted for it, for all that. Well, good-day. Ishall see you to-morrow."
"You are getting to be an important business man, Harry," said UncleObed, when our hero announced that he had a summons to the city nextday.
"What is it all about, Harry?" asked his mother, rather puzzled.
"Let the boy explain in his own good time, Mrs. Gilbert," said the oldman. "I know he isn't in any mischief."
"I may be able to tell you to-morrow evening, mother. It will besomething that will surprise you."
"I suppose it is all right, Harry, as Mr. Wilkins says so."
"Yes, mother, I can assure you of that."
In due time Harry boarded the morning train. He looked through the carstill he found Mr. Pry, the detective, and took a seat beside him.
It was not long before his attention was called to a smooth, plausiblevoice, proceeding from a person who sat two seats in advance of the onehe occupied.
"My dear sir, if it will be any accommodation to you, I will myself buyyour bond, and pay you the market price."
There was something in the voice, and in the words, that attracted
Harry's attention and excited his suspicions.
"Excuse me a moment," he said to the detective, and, passing through theaisle, reached a point where he could look back at the speaker.
He knew him at once, not only by his face, but by the profusion of ringsupon his fingers. It was the same man that had cheated the poor farmerby giving him counterfeit money in payment for his coupons.
If, however, he had any doubt, it was set at rest by what followed.
"I don't know," said his seat companion, an industrious mechanic; "perhaps I'd better wait, and sell it in the city."
"As you please, my friend," said the young man. "I only made theproposal thinking I might accommodate you."
"Is that your business – buying bonds?" asked the mechanic.
"In the city, yes. I am a member of the well-known firm of Chase &
Atkins. Of course, you have heard of them."
"Ye-es," answered the mechanic, doubtfully.
"I am Mr. Chase. We do a general banking and brokerage business. Let mesee, what is the denomination of your bond?"
"Eh?"
"I mean, of what size? Is it a fifty, or a hundred?"
"It's only a fifty, sir. It was a present to my wife. Now she wants touse a little money, and so she has got me to sell it."
"We give rather higher prices than most brokers," said Chase, smoothly.
"How can you do that?" asked the mechanic, who was a man of good commonsense.
"Well, you see, we ship 'em to Europe, and make a handsome profit. Itwould be for your advantage to sell to me; but you must act your ownwill."
The mechanic began to think more favorably of the proposal, and askedone or two more questions. Finally he said:
"Well, I don't know but I might as well. Have you got money enough withyou?"
Chase took out a plethoric pocketbook, stuffed with bills, and calledattention to it, smilingly:
"We bankers always have to be well provided with money."
The mechanic looked respectfully at the owner of so much money.
"I dare say it's more than I could earn in a year," he said.
"I dare say you are right, my friend," said the young man.
"Very well. Count out the money, and the bond is yours."
The exchange was made, and both parties seemed well satisfied.
Chase deposited the bond in an inside pocket and then, saying, carelessly, "I'll go into the smoking car for a few minutes," rose fromhis seat.
But in the meantime Harry had returned to his own seat, and whispered afew words in the ear of the detective.
The latter sharply scrutinized the young man who called himself Chase, and said, in a low voice:
"I know him now. He's an old offender. I thought there was somethingfamiliar in his appearance. I'll look after you, my fine fellow."
He waited till the exchange had been effected, and the young man was onthe point of leaving the car.
Then he rose, and, hurrying forward, placed his hand on the young man'sshoulder.
"A word with you, sir," he said.
"Really, sir, I don't remember you."
"Perhaps not. I remember you. Do me the favor to return that bond to theman from whom you obtained it."
"It is mine. I have paid for it."
"With counterfeit money."
"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Chase; but there was a suddenpallor on his face and a tremor in his voice.
"That will do, Jimmy Neal. I told you I knew you. That is an old trickof yours."
"Who are you?" asked the detected swindler, in a faltering voice.
"Pry, the detective."
"Will you let me go if I restore this bond?"
"No; there is another case I must inquire into – that of a farmer fromwhom you bought some coupons a day or two since, paying him in the sameworthless rags. Sit down here," pointing to a vacant seat. "You mayconsider yourself under arrest."
Great was the consternation of the mechanic when he learned how nearlyhe had been swindled, and profuse were his thanks to Harry and theofficer.
"Be more prudent the next time," said the latter, "and don't sell bondsto a stranger in the cars again."
We may as well add that the traveling broker was duly tried, andsentenced to a term in State's prison, and that enough good money wasfound on him to repay the farmer for the coupons he had imprudentlyparted with.
Greatly to his satisfaction, Harry was intrusted with the office ofacquainting Simon Jones with the pleasant fact that his money would berestored to him.
CHAPTER XXIX
HARRY BECOMES A "BONDHOLDER."
When Harry entered the office of Mr. Wheeler, the lawyer was engagedwith a client. He nodded pleasantly to our hero, and said:
"I shall be at leisure very soon. You will find the morning paper onthat table."
When his interview with the client was over, he beckoned to Harry toapproach.
"Well," he said, "thanks to your good management, we have triumphantlysucceeded. The stolen property is recovered, and the thieves are incustody."
"It was not so much good management as good luck," said Harry.
"Partly both; but, however that may be, the owner of the propertyauthorizes me to make a substantial acknowledgment for the service youhave rendered him. Let me see – the reward offered was two hundred andfifty dollars."
"That's too much, sir."
"The gentleman who gives it does not think so. Indeed, he authorizes meto somewhat exceed it. In this envelope" – here the lawyer produced alarge-size package – "you will find two one-hundred-dollar governmentbonds and one fifty. The value of the three, at present prices, isnearer three hundred dollars than two hundred and fifty. I need notcaution you to take good care of them."
"Are they for me?" asked Harry, his cheeks flushing with pleasure.
"Yes; they are six per cent. bonds, and will bring you fifteen dollars ayear in interest – not quite enough to live upon," the lawyer added, witha smile, "but something to add to your income."
"I can hardly realize that I am worth so much money," said Harry, as hetook the package and put it into his inside coat pocket.
"Have you a watch?" asked Mr. Wheeler.
"No, sir," replied Harry, in surprise.
"I thought not; and I, therefore, ask you to accept one as a gift, notfrom my client, but from me."
He produced a handsome silver watch, manufactured at Waltham, with asilver chain attached.
Now, Harry had long wanted a watch, but the prospect of obtaining onebefore he was of age had seemed very remote. At the moment, I think, thepresent of the watch gratified him as much as that of the bonds, thoughthe latter were ten times as valuable.
"It is beautiful," he said; "but, Mr. Wheeler, why should you give me apresent? The bonds were not yours."
"That is true, but they were under my charge, and I should have beenseriously troubled had they not been recovered. Take the watch, my boy, and I hope it will please you as much to receive it as it does me togive it."
"Thank you, sir," said Harry, warmly. "It seems to me there is no end tomy good fortune."
"Continue to deserve it, my boy, and I think it will continue. I mustbid you good-morning now, as I have another appointment."
"Good-morning, sir, and thank you."
"By the way," the lawyer added, "I shall bear you in mind, and, should Ihave any work which I think you can do, I will send for you."
"I shall be glad to serve you in any way, sir."
So saying, Harry left the office. He was so much in a hurry to show hispresent at home that, though it was still early, he decided to take thenext train, which would bring him home about noon.
His mother and Mr. Wilkins had just seated themselves at the dinnertable when Harry entered.
"What! home already, Harry?" asked his mother, in surprise.
"I judge from your tone, mother, that you haven't got enough dinner forme," said Harry, gayly.
"If that's the case, I'll eat a little less," said Uncle Obed. "But whydidn't you stay longer?"
"Because I got through with my business, and thought I might as wellcome home," answered Harry.
By this time his mother's eyes happened to fall on the silver chaindisplayed across his vest.
"What is that, Harry?" she asked.
Harry drew out the watch, with pardonable pride.
"Where did you get it?" asked his mother, in amazement.
"A lawyer in New York gave it to me."
"But what lawyer do you know, my son?" asked his mother, more and morebewildered.
"That isn't all, mother. Look at that!"
Harry drew out the package of bonds, and displayed them to hisastonished mother.
She at once concluded that he had found them.
"They are not yours, Harry," she said. "If you found them, you mustrestore them to the owner."
"So I will, Mrs. Gilbert. I give these bonds to you, and recommend youto take good care of them."
"What does all this mean, Harry? You cannot give away what does notbelong to you."
Harry felt that it was time to explain, and he did so. It was necessaryto begin with the account of Philip's treatment of him in the wood.
Mrs. Gilbert was very indignant, and she spoke warmly.
"It was shameful!" she said. "To leave you there alone in the dark wood, tied hand and foot! The boy ought to be served in the same wayhimself!"
"Wait till I get through my story, mother," he said, "and perhaps youwill find that Philip got into a little trouble of his own."
So he continued his story, and told, finally, of how he found Philip
Ross bound, and trembling for his life, in the cabin of Ralph Temple.
"Served him right," said Mrs. Gilbert, satisfactorily.
"As things have turned out, I can afford to overlook his past meanness.
He has suffered punishment, though not at my hands."
"If I had known that you were mixed up with burglars, I should have feltvery anxious, Harry."
"I know it, and that is why I didn't tell you. However, all's well thatends well. The tin box is found, the robbers are caught, and I have arich mother."
As he spoke, he put the bonds into his mother's hands.
"But, Harry, they are yours. I cannot accept them."
"Take care of them, at any rate, mother, and use the interest. I shalllike it better than to keep them myself."
"You are a good boy, Harry," said Uncle Obed. "I like to see boys thinkconsiderable of their mothers. And now, if you are both ready fordinner, I am."
"Excuse me, Mr. Wilkins. I was so intent upon Harry's story that I amafraid the dinner is cold."
They sat down to dinner, and the meal was a very happy one, even if thedishes were somewhat cold. Harry's good luck put them all in finespirits.
After dinner Harry went out into the village, in the direction of thestore.
I suspect he wanted to show his watch, as most boys do when for thefirst time they become the proud possessor of one.
On the way he met Philip Ross and James Congreve. The latter he had notseen since they parted in the wood.
"There's our young captive, Philip," said Congreve.
"He's got a watch. At any rate, I see a watch chain," said Philip, whosecuriosity was excited.
"Hello!" called out Congreve, as they met; "where did you get thatwatch?"
"I don't see wherein my having a watch should concern you; but I doknow, after the contemptible treatment I received at your handsyesterday, your questions deserve no notice from me. But, as mattersturned out so well, I can afford to swallow my indignation."
"It was rather a mean trick, leaving you bound in the wood," said
Congreve, candidly. "I wouldn't have done it, except to oblige Philip."
"Has he told you how he liked being tied himself?"
Congreve looked, in surprise, at Philip. The latter had not chosen tosay anything about his own adventure in Temple's hut.
When Harry told the story, not omitting to mention that he had compelledPhilip to beg his pardon before he released him, Congreve burst intohearty laughter, while Philip stood by, angry and ashamed.
"That's the best joke I ever heard," said Congreve. "I wish I had beenthere to see."
"I thought you were my friend," said Philip, indignantly.
"I laugh at my friends sometimes," said Congreve. "What a splendidjoke!"
Philip didn't see it in that light, and was so mortified that he didn'tgive Congreve an opportunity to ask further about the watch, buthurriedly moved on. All the remainder of the afternoon he passed in asullen frame of mind.
CHAPTER XXX
CONGREVE'S SCHEME
James Congreve was a dangerous companion for Philip. He was utterlyunscrupulous, but took care to keep up a semblance of propriety, inorder not to terrify the boy whom he was leading into mischief.
They had commenced playing cards for amusement – at least, that was
Congreve's pretext – but it had led to playing for a stake.
Occasionally, when the stake was small, Congreve allowed Philip to win; but, when more than a dollar was staked on the game, he generallymanaged to win himself.
Of course, Philip did not know that he was a victim, and that his chosenfriend, Congreve, was a skillful sharper, who had practiced his art onWestern steamboats, and was sure to get the better of him.
Why had he remained in this country village so long? Surely, it didn'tpay him to fleece one victim, and that one a boy.
I can give the explanation.
He had been leading a fast life for a year back, and a physician whom heconsulted had recommended country air and quiet for the summer.
"Unless you follow my directions, Mr. Congreve," he said, "I won'tanswer for your life. You have been going at too quick a pacealtogether."
James was sensible enough to follow this advice, and that is why we findhim a guest at the quiet village hotel.
The physician's advice proved to be good. His wasted energies wererecuperated, his thin cheeks filled out and showed a healthy color, hisappetite improved, and he felt himself again.
When the first week in September arrived, he felt that he was wellenough to go back to the city, to more congenial scenes. He was heartilytired of the country, and anxious to get away. Only one thing remainedto be done, and that was to collect what Philip owed him.
"I can't wait any longer," he said to himself. "I must compel the boy topay up. It will liquidate my hotel bill and leave me something over. Ican't let the thing stand any longer."
Soon after he had come to this conclusion, Philip entered his friend'schamber.
"How are you, Phil?" said Congreve, carelessly.
"All right!"
"By the way, I've got some news for you."
"What is it?"
"I'm going away."
"Going away? Where?"
"Back to the city first. I have an urgent summons from my friendsthere."
"How soon do you go?"
"That depends upon you."
"Upon me? I don't understand!" said Philip, puzzled.
"You ought to. As soon as you have paid me what you owe me. I need it toenable me to settle up at the hotel."
Philip turned pale. It was just what he had worried over many atime – this terrible debt, which he felt utterly unable to liquidate.
"How much is it?" he asked, nervously.
"How much? Really, I haven't reckoned it up yet; but I will," said
Congreve, carelessly.
He took out his wallet, and drew out a variety of papers, to which
Philip's signature was attached.
Then he sat down at a table, took a pencil from his pocket, set thedifferent sums on paper, and added them up deliberately. All this washumbug, for he had added it up before Philip came in, and knew to adollar how much it amounted to. Philip stood by, feeling miserablyuncomfortable, while the reckoning went on.
"Really," said Congreve, looking up at length, in assumed surprise, "Ihad no idea it amounted to so much!"
"How much does it come to?" questioned his wretched dupe.
"One hundred and thirty-six dollars," was the calm response.
"A hundred and thirty-six dollars!" gasped Philip.
"Yes; surprising, isn't it? Little sums count up, you know. However, we've had some fun out of it, haven't we?"
"I don't see where the fun comes in," said Philip, bitterly. "Of course, it's fun for you to win so much."
"You won some of the time, Phil. Think how many games we have had, andhow exciting it was. You play a good deal better game than you did."
"But I have lost a big pile of money."
"Oh, yes. Experience costs money, you know. You'll get it all back, andmore, too, some day."
"How can I, when you are going away?"
"I don't mean out of me. I suppose my game is better than yours. I meanout of somebody else."
Philip was silent. The hope held out did not seem to comfort him much.
"When will you pay me that money, Phil?" asked Congreve, abruptly.
"When? I'm sure I don't know. I haven't any money, you know."
"That won't do. It isn't satisfactory," said Congreve, assuming asternness he had never before exhibited toward his friend.
"What do you mean?" asked Philip, half frightened, half offended.
"I mean that I need the money, and must have it."
"I'd pay it to you if I had it, but I haven't."
"You must get it."
"How can I? My father won't give it to me."
"Listen to me. I am in earnest. I want to ask you a question. Supposeyou had won, wouldn't you have expected me to pay you?"
"Why, yes, I suppose so."
"Well, it's a poor rule that doesn't work both ways. I tell you, Phil, Ineed that money. I need it to pay my hotel bill."
"Was that what you depended upon to pay your bills?" asked Philip, withawakening suspicion. "I thought you had plenty of money."
This was what Congreve had represented to his dupe, but the question byno means disconcerted him.
"Of course," he said; "but a man can't always command his resources. Ihave sent in two different directions for money, but they have put meoff, so I have to fall back on you."
"I'd like to pay the money, and get it off my mind," said Philip, uncomfortably, "but the fact of it is I can't."
"This is a debt of honor. Gentlemen always pay their debts of honor. Ittakes precedence of all other claims."
"I have no other claims. That is all I owe to anybody."
"Well, when can you let me have the money?"
"I am sure I don't know," returned Philip, sullenly. "I didn't expectyou were going to press me so."
James Congreve saw that Philip had reached the point which he desired.
"I press you because I have to," he said. "I have already told you howyou can settle the claim."
"How?" asked Philip, uneasily.
He could guess, for there had been conversation on that point before.
"You know what I mean. Get hold of some of your father's governmentbonds," said Congreve, insinuatingly.
"I don't want to become a thief."
"Pooh! Isn't he your father, and ain't you an only son? Won't it all beyours sometime?"
"Yes, but – "
"Oh, don't bother with buts! That makes all the difference in theworld."
"I couldn't do it without being suspected," objected Philip, with whomthis was the principal consideration.
"Yes, you can. You'll give the bonds to me, and I will dispose of them. If you could get hold of two hundred-dollar bonds, I would give you thebalance, after deducting the amount of my debt."
"But I am sure to be suspected."
"Unless you throw the suspicion upon some one else."
"How can I?"
"There's your friend, Harry Gilbert – "
"He isn't my friend."
"Well, your enemy, then. So much the better. You can say you saw himprowling round the house. If you could get him arrested, it would be asatisfaction, even if he wasn't convicted."
"That's true. I should like to get even with him."
"So you can. You can throw suspicion on him, and get off free yourself.
It will be a splendid revenge."
Philip began to think favorably of the scheme, arid before he left thehotel had agreed to it.
CHAPTER XXXI
THE TEMPTER
Philip was far from being a model boy – as we have seen, he didn't shrinkfrom meanness – but it was not without reluctance that he assented toJames Congreve's proposal. He did not feel that abhorrence of theft thata better principled boy would have done, but the thought of resorting toit gave him a sense of humiliation. Besides, the fear of detectioninspired in him a certain uneasy feeling. In fact, he retraced hissteps, and sought Congreve in his room again.
"What! back again?" asked James, in surprise.
"Yes," replied Philip. "I've changed my mind. I don't want to do whatyou proposed to me."
"Don't want to do it?" repeated Congreve, frowning. "What nonsense isthis?"
"No nonsense at all," retorted Philip, not liking his friend's tone. "Idon't want to be a thief."
"You won't be. It's all in the family, you know."
"What if it is? Father won't take that view of it."
"That won't matter to you."
"Why not?"
"Because he won't know you took the bonds. You're not going to tellhim."
"He may find out."
"Look here, Phil. You're the biggest coward I ever met!"
"If you think so, suppose you do it yourself," said Philip. "That'llshow whether you are a coward or not."
"That's absurd. It wouldn't be in the family then. The bonds don'tbelong to my father. There wouldn't be any excuse for me."
"You want me to do what you are unwilling to do."
