"How do you know?"

"Well--in fact, they were stolen from my stepmother."

Morrison whistled.

"Well," he said.

"Of course you mustn't say that I gave them to you. You would get me into trouble."

"So you want to save yourself at my expense? I am to be suspected of stealing the bonds, am I? That's a decidedly cool proposal, but it won't do. I shall clear myself, by telling just where I got the bonds."

"That's what I want you to do."

"You do!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the gambler, in surprise.

"Yes. You are to say that the boy gave them to you."

"Why should I say that?"

"Because he is already suspected of stealing the bonds."

"But I gave them to him to sell."

"You mustn't admit it. There is no proof of it except his word."

"What's your game? Whatever it is, it is too deep for me."

"I've got it all arranged. You are to say that the boy owed you a gambling debt, and agreed to meet you to-morrow morning to pay it.

Of the bonds, you are to know nothing, unless you say that he told you he had some which he was going to sell, in order to get money to pay you."

"What advantage am I to get out of all this?"

"What advantage? Why, you will save yourself from suspicion."

"That isn't enough. I didn't take the bonds, and you know it. I believe you did it yourself."

"Hush!" said Willis Ford, looking around him nervously.

"Look here, Ford, I gave up your I O U, and now I find I've got to whistle for my money."

"Go with me to my room, and you shall have four hundred dollars to-night."

"In cash?"

"No; in bonds."

"Some more of the same kind? No, thank you, I want ready money."

"Then give me a little more time, and I will dispose of them--when this excitement blows over."

Finally Morrison gave a sulky a.s.sent, and the conspirators parted.

CHAPTER XX -- AT THE FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL

"If I thought he was playing me false," said Jim Morrison, after Ford and himself had parted company, "I'd make him smart for it."

"I guess it's all right," said Tom, who was less experienced and less suspicious than his companion.

"It may be so, but I have my suspicions. I don't trust Willis Ford."

"Shall you go round to the Fifth Avenue Hotel to meet Grant to-morrow morning."

"Of course I shall. I want to see what the boy says. It may be a put-up job between him and Ford."

The very same question was put by Grant to Mr. Reynolds.

"Shall I go round to the hotel to-morrow morning to see Morrison and Tom Calder?"

The broker paused a moment and looked thoughtful.

"Yes," he answered, after a pause. "You may."

"And what shall I say when he demands the money?"

Upon this Mr. Reynolds gave Grant full instructions as to what he desired him to say.

About quarter after eight o'clock the next morning a quiet-looking man, who looked like a respectable bookkeeper entered the Fifth Avenue Hotel and walked through the corridor, glancing, as it seemed, indifferently, to the right and left. Finally he reached the door of the reading room and entered. His face brightened as at the further end he saw two persons occupying adjoining seats. They were, in fact, Morrison and Tom Calder.

The newcomer selected a Boston daily paper, and, as it seemed, by chance, settled himself in a seat not six feet away from our two acquaintances, so that he could, without much effort, listen to their conversation.

"It's almost time for Grant to come," said Tom, after a pause.

"Yes," grumbled Morrison, "but as he won't have any money for me, I don't feel as anxious as I should otherwise."

"What'll you say to him?"

"I don't know yet. I want to find out whether Ford has told the truth about the bonds. I believe he stole 'em himself."

Five minutes later Grant entered the reading-room. A quick glance showed him, not only the two he had come to meet, but the quiet, little man who was apparently absorbed in a copy of the Boston Journal. He went up at once to meet them.

"I believe I am in time," he said.

"Yes," answered Jim Morrison. "Have you brought the money?"