"Mr. Ford, I protest against this high-handed proceeding," exclaimed Miss Stone, indignantly, as she appeared at the door of the chamber.

"What right have you to go over my house without permission?"

"If it comes to that," sneered Ford, "what right have you to keep my ward from me?"

"I am not his ward," said Herbert, quickly.

"The boy is a liar," exclaimed Ford, harshly.

"Get back into the bed, Herbert," said Miss Stone. "This man shall not take you away."

"Perhaps you will tell me how you are going to help it," retorted Ford, with an evil smile.

"If my brother were here---"

"But your brother is not here, and if he were, I would not allow him to interfere between me and my cousin. Herbert, unless you continue dressing, I shall handle you roughly."

But sounds were heard upon the stairs, and Ford, as well as Miss Stone, turned their eyes to the door.

The first to enter was Abner.

"Oh, it's you, is it?" said Ford, contemptuously.

He had thought it might be Dr. Stone, whom he was less inclined to face than he professed.

"Yes, it is. What are you doing here?"

"It is none of your business, you cub. He's got to come with me."

"Maybe you want me, too?"

"I wouldn't take you as a gift."

"Ho, ho," laughed Abner, "I reckon you'd find me a tough customer.

You won't take bub, either."

"Who is to prevent me?"

"I will!" said a new voice, and Grant Thornton, who had fallen in with Abner outside, walked quietly into the room.

Willis Ford started back in dismay. Grant was the last person he expected to meet here. He had no idea that any one of the boy's home friends had tracked him this far. He felt that he was defeated, but he hated to acknowledge it.

"How are you going to prevent me, you young whippersnapper?" he said, glaring menacingly at Grant.

"Mr. Willis Ford, unless you leave this room and this town at once,"

said Grant, firmly, "I will have you arrested. There is a local officer below whom I brought with me, suspecting your object in coming here."

"Oh, Grant, how glad I am to see you! Is papa with you?" exclaimed Herbert, overjoyed.

"I will tell you about it soon, Herbert."

"You won't let him take me away?"

"There is no danger of that," said Grant, rea.s.suringly. "I shall take you home to New York as soon as this good lady says you are well enough to go."

Ford stood gnawing his nether lip. If it had been Mr. Reynolds, he would not have minded so much; but for a mere boy, like Grant Thornton, to talk with such a calm air of superiority angered him.

"Boy," he said, "it sounds well for you to talk of arrest--you who stole my aunt's bonds, and are indebted to her forbearance for not being at this moment in State's prison."

"Your malicious charge does not affect me, Mr. Ford," returned Grant. "It was proved before you left New York that you were the thief, and even your stepmother must have admitted it. Mr. Reynolds discharged you from his employment, and this is the mean revenge you have taken--the abduction of his only son."

"I will do you an injury yet, you impudent boy," said Ford, furiously.

"I shall be on my guard, Mr. Ford," answered Grant. "I believe you capable of it."

"Don't you think you had better leave us, sir?" said Miss Stone.

"I shall take my own time about going," he answered, impudently.

But his words were heard by Dr. Stone, who had returned sooner than he antic.i.p.ated, and was already at the door of the room. He was a powerful man, and of quick temper. His answer was to seize Ford by the collar and fling him downstairs.

"This will teach you to be more polite to a lady," he said. "Now, what does all this mean, and who is this man?"

The explanation was given.

"I wish I had been here before," said the doctor.

"You were in good time," said Grant, smiling. "I see that Herbert has found powerful friends."

Willis Ford, angry and humiliated, picked himself up, but did not venture to return to the room he had left so ignominiously. Like most bullies, he was a coward, and he did not care to encounter the doctor again.

Within an hour, Grant telegraphed to the broker at his office: "I have found Herbert, and will start for New York with him to-morrow."

Mr. Reynolds had only just returned from his fruitless Southern expedition, weary and dispirited. But he forgot all his fatigue when he read this message. "G.o.d bless Grant Thornton!" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed.

CHAPTER x.x.xIX -- THE HOUSEKEEPER'S RETRIBUTION

The train from Chicago had just reached the Grand Central Depot.

From the parlor car descended two boys who are well known to us, Grant Thornton and Herbert Reynolds.

Herbert breathed a sigh of satisfaction.

"Oh, Grant," he said, "how glad I am to see New York once more! I wonder if papa knows we are to come by this train?"

The answer came speedily.

The broker, who had just espied them, hurried forward, and his lost boy was lifted to his embrace.