CHAPTER XXVII.
HAL PLAYS A DARING PART.
Hal lost no time in confronting the new-comer.
"Is Mr. Parsons in?" asked the stranger.
"Yes, sir."
"Tell him Mr. Samuels is here."
"I will, sir."
Hal walked back, and knocked on the rear office door.
"Come!" said Allen.
"A Mr. Samuels to see Mr. Parsons," said the youth.
"Show him in."
Mr. Samuels was conducted to the rear office, and once more the door wastightly closed.
Hal was slightly disturbed. Had the new-comer caught him listening inthe back, or had he taken no notice?
The only way to learn was to remain where he had been before, and thisthe youth did.
"Well, Samuels, on hand I see," said Parsons. "Mr. Allen just came in."
"Then we can come to business without delay," replied Samuels.
He was a small-faced Jew, with eyes that appeared to be more than halfclosed. As he spoke, he drew up a chair close to where the other twowere sitting.
"Say," he went on. "Who is the young fellow outside?"
"Our new clerk."
"Can you trust him?"
"I think so. Why?"
"He might overhear what was said."
"He won't if you don't talk too loud."
"Very well."
"Hold on," put in Allen. "Parsons, send him off to mail some letters."
The junior partner at once walked outside, and, taking up a bunch ofletters, handed them to Hal.
"Mail these," he said. "And then you can go to lunch."
"Yes, sir."
Hal at once put on his overcoat and hat, and walked out with theletters. He wished he could have remained in the office, for he feltcertain the conversation about to ensue would be a most important one.
He dropped the letters into the nearest box, and then stood undecidedwhat to do next.
"Mr. Allen has those bonds, that's certain," he said to himself. "Iwonder if it would do any good to notify the police?"
But this plan did not appear to be just the right one. If arrested,Allen would, of course, deny any knowledge of the stolen property andall the proof Hal had was his own word, and that might not go very farin a court of law.
"No, the only thing to do is to find those bonds and get them backmyself," he muttered. "Perhaps Allen only has part of them, and Hardwickthe other part. Besides, I have not yet learned what Macklin and Ferrishave to do with the case."
He knew there was a window in the back of the rear office; this wastightly closed, so it would be of no use to attempt to hear anythingfrom that direction.
At last Hal took his stand opposite the entrance to the office. He hadhardly done so when Parsons and Samuels came out, and hurried up thestreet at the top of their walking powers.
"Something is up," thought Hal. "Shall I follow them, or remain behindwith Allen?"
He knew if he wished to keep his place as clerk, he ought to go backsoon. He hesitated, and then decided to remain. So, procuring a sandwichand an apple, he munched them down, and then walked in.
Caleb Allen looked at him darkly as he entered, but said nothing, and,hanging up his coat and hat, Hal resumed the copying of the letter.
Half an hour later, a tall man came in. He was well dressed, and wore aheavy black mustache and beard.
He glanced at Hal, and then walked over to where Allen sat at a desk,writing a letter.
"I want to see you in private," he said, in a low tone.
The voice of the stranger sounded strangely familiar to Hal. Where hadhe heard it before?
Allen looked perplexed for an instant, and then seemed to comprehend thesituation. He at once led the way to the office in the rear. Thestranger entered, and the door was once more tightly closed.
Our young hero at once left off writing, and tiptoed his way back. Anidea had struck him concerning the stranger's identity, and the firstwords from behind the thin partition proved that he was correct.
"So you have donned the disguise, Hardwick," were Allen's words.
"Yes, deuce take the luck, I was forced to do it."
"You got my letter advising it?"
"I did. But that wasn't what brought me to it. I was followed by one ofold Sumner's detectives."
"Ha! Did he discover anything?"
"Not from me. But I'm afraid he did in another direction."
Allen turned pale, and shifted uneasily.
"What way?" he exclaimed, hoarsely.
"I am pretty well satisfied the same fellow followed Ferris to theestablishment where you are having those bogus bills printed."
"And what did he learn?"
"I am not sure he really followed, and, of course, I don't know how muchhe learned."
"Too bad! Did you come face to face with the man?"
"I did, but he got away from us."
"Who do you mean--was Ferris with you?"
"Yes. He thought he recognized the man as one who followed him to theprinting office."
"I see. We must be careful, Hardwick, very careful."
"If it hadn't been for that Carson it would be all right," growled theex-book-keeper. "I would like to wring that boy's neck."
"So would I. But what has become of him? He was not at the office thismorning when I was there."
"I don't know. He boarded with Ferris' aunt, but he has left there,too."
"That's queer."
"I have an idea he isn't so much of a boy as we think," said Hardwick,with a shake of his head.
"What do you mean?"
"I believe if he isn't a regular detective, he is next door to it, andwas hired by Sumner to spot me. That scene in the office when I accusedhim was a put-up job on his part and Sumner's. See how easily Sumnersided with him in every instance."
"By Jove! you may be right," cried Allen. "We must be more than careful,or----"
Hal did not catch the words that followed, for the door of the officeopened and a slouching figure entered. It was Tommy Macklin.
Veiling his astonishment as best he could, Hal approached the tough.
"What is it?" he asked, briefly.
"Is der boss in?" asked Macklin.
"Do you mean Mr. Allen or Mr. Parsons?" asked Hal, although he knew verywell.
"Mr. Allen."
"I will see. What name?"
"Wot's dat?"
"What is your name?"
"Me name ain't got nothin' ter do wid it. Tell him a gent from der eastside wants ter talk ter him a few minits."
"I will."
Hal rapped on the door. It was quickly opened by Mr. Allen.
"Here is a man wants to see you, sir," said Hal. "He says he's from theeast side, and won't give any name."
Allen looked out toward Macklin. He looked disturbed when he recognizedthe tough.
"Step this way," he called out, and Macklin entered the office.
"Now, what brings you?" demanded Allen, as soon as the door was shut.
Instead of replying, Macklin looked at Hardwick, who had taken off partof his disguise.
"Wot! You here?" he faltered.
"Yes, Tommy, you didn't expect it, did you?" returned Hardwick, with ashort laugh.
"No, I didn't."
"What brought you?"
"I want money," said the tough, coming forward and putting on a boldfront. "I want money from both of yer; see?"
"How much?" asked Allen.
"A t'ousand dollars."
"You are crazy!" cried the broker.
"No I ain't. I mean just wot I say, Allen. I want five hundred from you,an' der udder from Hardwick."
"Supposing we won't pay it?"
"Den I'll tell der police wot I know; I ain't doin' yer work fernothin'."
And the tough poked his nose close to that of Caleb Allen.
"Nonsense, Tommy!" put in Hardwick. "I agreed to give you a hundreddollars for keeping quiet about what you know, and that's all you'llget."
"Den I'll--wot's dat?"
A loud noise in the outer office startled Macklin. Hal, listening at thedoor, suddenly found himself in the hands of Parsons and Samuels.
"A spy, as I thought," cried Samuels. "Hardwick! Allen!"
The two called, rushed out, and Hal was surrounded.
"A spy, is he?" cried Allen. "Who can----"
"That beard is false!" exclaimed Hardwick, tearing it as well as themustache from our hero's face. "Hal Carson! Boys, lock the front door!If he escapes, we shall be ruined!"