CHAPTER XXI
A REWARD OFFERED
Harry looked over the news columns in vain for an account of therobbery, or some allusion to the tin box which he had seen concealed inthe wood.
"There may have been something about it in yesterday's paper," he saidto himself. "I must go to the office of publication and buy a copy."
It occurred to him, however, that there might be an advertisementoffering a reward for its recovery, and he began to search, with thisobject in view.
Presently his eye lighted on the following:
"Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars Reward.
"On the fifteenth instant, a Tin Box, containing a considerable sum inFive-Twenty Government and Union Pacific Bonds, was stolen from theoffice of the subscriber. The above sum will be paid for the discoveryof the thief, or for information leading to the recovery of all, or thelarger part, of the bonds. JAMES P. WHEELER,
"No. 265 Broadway, Room 10."
I do not claim to have given the correct number, for obvious reasons. Ofcourse, the address given in the advertisement was accurate.
Naturally, Harry was much pleased at his easy success. He had only to goto the office mentioned and communicate what he knew, and leave Mr. Wheeler to take the necessary steps for the recovery of the property.
Should he attend first to that, or to the sale of the coupons? On thewhole, he decided to go to Mr. Wheeler's office first, as the tin boxmight be removed at any time, if the suspicions of Vernon or Templeshould be excited.
It was, of course, perfectly easy to find any address on Broadway, andnot many minutes elapsed before Harry found himself before the door ofoffice No. 10.
Entering – for the door was ajar – he saw a large, handsomely fitted-upoffice, with a small room partitioned off at one corner.
In this room sat a man of middle age, with a keen face and a brisk air, which indicated that he was a trained man of business.
Outside, at a desk, sat a young man, evidently a clerk, who was busilyengaged in writing. It was he who looked up when Harry entered andlooked hesitatingly about.
"Well, Johnny, what can I do for you?" said the young man, patronizingly.
"Is Mr. Wheeler in the office?"
"Yes; but he is busy."
"He will see me," said Harry, with quiet confidence.
"Will he?" asked the young man, surveying our hero with some curiosity.
"Who do you come from?"
"From no one. I have business of my own with Mr. Wheeler."
"Who is it?" asked an imperative voice.
"A boy to see you, sir," answered the clerk, respectfully.
"Bring him in, then, and don't waste his time and your own inunnecessary talk."
"Waste his time, indeed," muttered the clerk, who evidently did notregard Harry's time as particularly valuable.
"Well, young man," said the lawyer – for such was his business – as Harryentered his presence. "What is it?"
"I should like a private interview, sir," said Harry, glancing at theclerk, who was hovering near.
"Shut the door, and resume your writing, Richard," said Mr. Wheeler.
Shrugging his shoulders, with a disappointed look, Richard obeyed.
"I came to see you about the advertisement," said Harry, coming to thepoint at once.
The lawyer started, and eyed Harry keenly. Could the boy be one of thethieves, or was he merely acting as a go-between?
"Do you know anything about the box of bonds?" asked Mr. Wheeler, quickly.
"Yes, sir; I know where it is concealed."
"Ha, that is important. Do you come from the parties that took them?"
Harry colored, and looked indignant.
"No, sir," he answered, with emphasis.
Mr. Wheeler smiled.
"I was bringing no charge against you," he said. "I thought the guiltyparties might have employed you as their agent – their innocent agent. Now, tell me how you come to know anything about the matter."
This Harry proceeded to do. As the story is already familiar to thereader, he shall be spared a repetition of it. It is needless to saythat the lawyer listened with earnest attention.
"This is a curious story," he said, "but I see no reason to question itsaccuracy. I certainly hope it is true."
"It is true, sir."
"Of course, I imply no doubt of your word. Now, tell me, did you seedistinctly the faces of the two men who were employed in concealing thebox?"
"Yes, sir."
"Should you know them again?"
"I should."
"Did you recognize either?"
"Yes, sir."
"Indeed!" exclaimed the lawyer, who did not expect an affirmativeanswer. "Who was it?"
"Ralph Temple."
"How did you know him?"
"He lives in a poor cabin just on the outskirts of the wood."
"How long has he lived there?"
"About two years."
"What is his reputation?"
"Very poor. No one knows how he makes his living, though at times heseems to have plenty of money."
"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