CHAPTER XXXIX.
AT THE PALMER HOUSE.
It may be readily supposed that Phil's New York friends listened withthe greatest attention to his account of what he had learned in hisvisit to Planktown.
"Your step-mother is certainly an unscrupulous woman," said Mr. Carter."Doubtless she has left your old town in order to escape accountabilityto you for your stolen inheritance. What puzzles me however, is herleaving behind such tell-tale evidence. It is a remarkable oversight. Doyou think she is aware of the existence of the will?"
"I think she must be, though I hope not," answered Phil. "I should liketo think that she had not conspired to keep back my share of father'sestate."
"At any rate, the first thing to do is evidently to find her out, andconfront her with the evidence of her crime--that is, supposing her tobe really culpable."
"Then you approve of my going to Chicago?" said Phil.
"Most emphatically. Nay, more--I will go with you."
"Will you indeed, sir?" said Phil joyfully. "You are very kind. I shrankfrom going alone, being a boy ignorant of business."
"A pretty shrewd boy, however," said Mr. Carter, smiling. "I don't claimmuch credit, however, as I have some interests in Chicago to which I canattend with advantage personally. I am interested in a Western railroad,the main office of which is in that city."
"When shall we go, sir?"
"To-morrow," answered Mr. Carter promptly. "The sooner the better.You may go down town and procure the necessary tickets, and engagesleeping-berths."
Here followed the necessary directions, which need not be repeated.
It is enough to say that twenty-four hours later Phil and his employerwere passengers on a lightning express train bound for Chicago.
They arrived in due season, without any adventure worth naming, and tookrooms at the Palmer House.
Now, it so happened that in the same hotel at the very same momentwere three persons in whom Phil was vitally interested. These wereMrs. Brent, Jonas, otherwise called Philip Granville, and Mr. Granvillehimself.
Let me explain their presence in Chicago, when, as we know, Mr.Granville's house was situated at some distance away.
Jonas had preferred a petition to go to Chicago for a week, in order toattend some of the amusements there to be enjoyed, alleging that it wasawfully dull in the country.
Mr. Granville was inclined to be very indulgent, to make up for the longyears in which he had been compelled practically to desert his son. Thepetition therefore received favor.
"It is only natural that you should wish to see something of the city,my son," he said. "I will grant your request. We will go to Chicago, andremain a week at the Palmer House. Mrs. Brent, will you accompany us?"
"With pleasure, Mr. Granville," answered that lady. "It is not dull herefor me, still I shall no doubt enjoy a little excitement. At any rate, Ishall be best pleased to be where you and your son are."
"Then so let it be. We will go to-morrow."
One secret wish and scheme of Mrs. Brent has not been referred to. Shefelt that her present position was a precarious one. She might at anytime be found out, and then farewell to wealth and luxury! But if shecould induce Mr. Granville to marry her, she would then be secure,even if found out, and Jonas would be the son of Mr. Granville, thoughdetected as a usurper. She, therefore, made herself as agreeable aspossible to Mr. Granville, anticipated his every wish, and assumed thecharacter, which she did not possess, of a gracious and feminine womanof unruffled good humor and sweetness of disposition.
"I say, ma," Jonas observed on one occasion, "you've improved ever somuch since you came here. You're a good deal better natured than youwere."
Mrs. Brent smiled, but she did not care to take her son into herconfidence.
"Here I have no cares to trouble me," she said. "I live here in a waythat suits me."
But when they were about starting for Chicago, Mrs. Brent felt herselfbecoming unaccountably depressed.
"Jonas," she said, "I am sorry we are going to Chicago."
"Why, ma? We'll have a splendid time."
"I feel as if some misfortune were impending over us," said his mother,and she shivered apprehensively.
But it was too late to recede. Besides, Jonas wished to go, and she hadno good reason to allege for breaking the arrangement.