Approaching the outer door he locked it.

"Now I cannot be surprised in that direction," he thought. "And if Hardwick or Ferris try to leave I can hide in the closet."

Having made these preparations against being discovered, Hal approached the curtain to listen to whatever might be said.

"You say you wish you could fix Carson?" he heard Hardwick say.

"I do," returned Ferris. "I hate him, and I would do almost anything to get square."

"Then I'll tell you of a little plan that you can work, d.i.c.k. I don't like the fellow myself, and it will delight me to see you get the best of him."

"How does the beggar do the office work?"

"I must say first cla.s.s."

"Humph! It didn't suit me, Hardwick. If there hadn't been other money----"

"Hush!" cried the book-keeper, in alarm. "That matter must remain a secret, never to be mentioned."

CHAPTER IX.

THE PLOT AGAINST HAL.

Hal Carson was sure that he had just missed a most important statement.

"I wish Ferris had finished what he intended to say," he thought.

He waited breathlessly for the two to go on.

"What makes you so scared?" asked Ferris. "Can anybody hear us here?"

"I think not. Still we want to be careful."

"Yes, but----"

"Not another word on that point, d.i.c.k." Hardwick's voice grew stern. "I am a man, while you are a boy, and I know what is best for both of us."

"Well, have your own way."

"I think it will be a wise plan for you to get Carson out of the way. He is altogether too smart a fellow to have around," continued the book-keeper.

"I don't think he looks very smart," sneered Ferris, who could not stand hearing Hal praised.

"He's smarter than you or most people think. That yarn about his being brought up in the poor-house may be true, but I have my doubts."

"Why?" asked Ferris, in high curiosity.

"I can't explain now." There was a brief pause. "Here, take a cigar.

Those nasty cigarettes make me sick."

There was the striking of matches, and then another pause.

"Are you going to continue as book-keeper when Allen leaves?" asked Ferris.

"Certainly."

"I thought you were to go with Allen in his new venture."

"I will--later on."

"Has he made any definite plans yet?"

"No."

"The reason I asked is because I want you to put in a word for me."

Hardwick laughed.

"d.i.c.k, you are getting to be a pretty big boy."

"Didn't I do what you wished of me?" demanded Ferris.

"I must say you did."

"Then you ought to be willing----"

"All right, it shall be as you say."

At this instant came a heavy hand on the door-k.n.o.b outside.

"Who's that?" cried Ferris.

"Must be Churchley or Wister," replied Hardwick.

As the door was locked, the person outside began to knock.

"I must have locked the door," added the book-keeper. "Wait till I open it."

As soon as the noise outside reached his ears, Hal made for the closet, which stood in one corner of the room. He found the door unlocked, and the interior empty, save for a broom and a duster and several similar things.

He entered the closet, transferring the key to the inside as he did so, and locked the door behind him.

A second later Hardwick entered from the inner room, and opened the door leading to the hall.

"Hullo, Churchley!" Hal heard him exclaim.