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A Cousin's Conspiracy: or, A Boy's Struggle for an Inheritance
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“Perhaps so. Jump in.”
Ernest lost no time in availing himself of the invitation.
“Where were you going in Lee’s Falls?” he asked.
Ernest felt that it would be imprudent to mention that his destination was the bank, so he answered guardedly, “I am going to see the town. I may stop overnight.”
“At the hotel?”
“Yes.”
“It is not much of a place to see,” said the driver, watching his companion curiously.
“It is larger than Emmonsville, isn’t it?”
“Yes. How long have you been in Emmonsville?”
“Not long.”
“Where do you live there?”
“At Mrs. Larkins’.”
“Do you go to school?”
“No.”
Meanwhile the horse was traveling very slowly, and it seemed to Ernest that he would go over the road quite as fast if he had continued to walk. He began to think it was his turn to ask questions.
“Are you going all the way to Lee’s Falls?” he asked.
“I may go nearly there.”
“I am very much obliged to you for giving me a lift. I was quite tired.”
The driver smiled.
“Perhaps I have an object,” he said.
Ernest looked an inquiry.
“The pleasure of your company,” explained his companion with a smile.
“Thank you,” answered Ernest.
“Now I come to look at you, I think I have seen you before,” continued the driver.
“Where?”
“In Emmonsville – at the bank.”
Ernest became alarmed. There was a significance in his companion’s tone which excited his alarm. But he did not dare show his feelings. He remained outwardly calm, though inwardly disturbed.
“Very probably,” he said; “I have been there.”
His companion laughed. He was playing with the boy as a cat plays with a captive mouse. Ernest began to consider whether he could not think of some pretext for getting out of the buggy.
Suddenly the buggy stopped.
“I will get out here,” said Ernest quickly.
“Not quite yet. I have not got through questioning you.”
“I am in a hurry,” said Ernest.
“You must wait till your hurry is over. Now tell me truly, are you not bound for the Lee’s Falls bank?”
Ernest was startled.
“You see, I know more about you than you suppose. You are the bank messenger.”
It seemed useless to deny it. The question now was, was his secret packet in danger?
“I have sometimes acted as bank messenger,” he said warily.
“And you are acting in that capacity now. What are you taking to the Lee’s Falls bank?”
Ernest turned pale. His worst fears were confirmed.
“Why do you ask?” he said.
“Because I want to know.”
“What business can it be of yours?” demanded Ernest boldly.
“Don’t be impudent, boy! Hand me the package of money.”
“I have no package of money.”
“Then you have bonds.”
Ernest remained silent.
“I see that I have hit it. Now hand over the bonds, if you value your life.”
He spoke sternly and looked so fierce that the boy messenger became more and more alarmed. He saw that he must give up the package, but determined to hold out in his resistance as long as possible.
“The package is not mine, and I have no right to surrender it,” he said.
Другие электронные книги автора Horatio Alger
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Книга дельная. Без воды, приводятся реальные кейсы и способы их разрешения. Много практичных полезных советов и методик. Кое-что уже испробовала в дел...
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