The Boy Broker Part 24

"I think you told me something about his getting another position, and this, you said, was probably the reason why he failed to continue working at this bank."

"Yes, sir," replied Mortimer, with bold effrontery.

"What have you to say to this young man's statement, Mr. Randolph?" said the banker.

Felix Mortimer's manner had already raised Mr. Goldwin's suspicions, but he wished to be doubly sure, and thus he proceeded carefully with the investigation.

"His statement is wholly false," was our hero's reply. "It was his miserable villainy that deprived me of my liberty, and kept me away from my work."

Mr. Goldwin looked puzzled.

"The plot thickens," said he. "Give me your story."

Herbert related how he had been victimized, telling the facts much as I have given them in the preceding chapters of this narrative.

"Tell him about the knock out," put in Bob, who evidently thought this one of the best parts of the story.

"What was that?" asked the banker.

Herbert explained.

"So that was what gave you the swollen jaw, was it?" said Mr. Goldwin, addressing Felix Mortimer in a severe tone.

"No, it was not," said he. "I told you what did it, and I don't propose to hear any more lies from street fellows like these," added Mortimer, contemptuously, and at the same time moving towards the door.

"Stop!" said the banker, firmly. "You will not leave this room till this matter is cleared up."

Young Mortimer winced, and Bob Hunter looked up at Herbert, and smiled suggestively.

"Mr. Randolph, this fellow stated to me yesterday that you were not from Vermont, that you are an impostor. What have you to say to this?"

"I can only say that I told you the truth."

"Have you any way of proving your statement?"

"Here is a letter that I received this morning from my mother," said Herbert, handing it to the banker. "This, I think, will sustain my word."

"The envelope is postmarked Fairbury, Vermont," replied Mr. Goldwin, scrutinizing it closely.

"You may read the letter," said our hero. "It will doubtless convince you of my truthfulness."

It ran as follows:

FAIRBURY, Vt., Thursday, November 12th.

MY DEAR SON:

Your letter reached us this evening, and it lifted a great load of anxiety from our hearts, for we could not help fearing some ill luck might have overtaken you--a stranger and an inexperienced boy in so great a city as New York.

Your father and I rejoice at your good fortune, and feel proud that our boy should be chosen by the banker from among so large a number of applicants for the same position. Your excellent start gives us fresh courage to fight the battle of life over again, and to try and regain our property, or so much of it as will be necessary to support us comfortably in our old age.

Your father's eyes filled with tears of joy when I read your letter to him, and he said I might tell you that he feels rich in the possession of a son who has health, energy, and good principles, and who has shown himself able to make his way in the world unaided. He thinks you now have an excellent opportunity for commencing a prosperous career. From what you wrote of Mr. Goldwin, the banker, we think he must be a very nice man, and we are heartily glad that you can have his influence thrown about you to strengthen you against the evils you should shun.

We were greatly amused at the picture you gave of Bob Hunter the newsboy. You must find him very entertaining. Write us some more about him. His droll talk reads like a novel. Your father laughed heartily at it.

Be sure and write us two or three times a week, for you know we are entirely alone now you are away. With love from your father and myself, I will say good by for today.

YOUR MOTHER.

Mr. Goldwin commenced to read this letter aloud, but before he had finished it his voice choked, and he reached for his handkerchief with which to dry his moist eyes.

The picture it presented of the Vermont father and mother, so deeply interested in their only boy, brought fresh to the banker's mind his own parental home, and he saw himself once more bidding good by to his father and mother, as he left them and the old farm, a mere boy, to seek a livelihood in the great metropolis.

Presently he overcame this emotion, and turning to young Randolph[TN: should be Mortimer], said, sternly:

"This letter, which I hold in my hand, not only proves Mr. Randolph's truthfulness, but it convicts you of a base falsehood. You deceived me by your artful lying, and now you have the effrontery to stand up before me and before this young man, whom you have so cruelly wronged, and boldly deny everything. You are the most polished young villain I ever knew.

"Young man," continued the banker, addressing Bob, and without waiting for Mortimer to reply, "what do you know about this matter?"

"I guess I know 'bout everything," said the young detective, glad of a chance to have his say.

"You remarked that it was lucky that you found out something before it was too late for us here at the bank, I believe?"

"Yes, sir, you are right."

"Will you please tell us the facts?"

Bob related the conversation he had heard between old Gunwagner and Felix Mortimer, relative to bank robbing.

"So that was your scheme in getting in here, was it? you young villain!"

said Mr. Goldwin, angrily addressing Felix Mortimer.

"I refuse to answer the charges made by these confederates. They are telling what has no truth in it, and are deceiving you, as you will learn to your sorrow," replied Felix, still maintaining a good degree of boldness.

Richard Goldwin, however, was too good a judge of human nature to be further imposed upon by the tricks of young Mortimer.

"But you will be forced to answer to the charges sooner or later, sir,"

said the banker. "The court will compel you to do so."

The court!

These words made young Mortimer wince, and his nerve palpably weakened.

He muttered some unintelligible reply--whether a threat or not none present knew.

"How came you to overhear this conversation between the old fence and this fellow?" asked Mr. Goldwin of Bob Hunter.

[Ill.u.s.tration: YOUNG RANDOLPH AND BOB HUNTER CONFRONT FELIX MORTIMER AND CHARGE HIM WITH HIS VILLAINY.]