The Tin Box, and What it Contained

As Harry descended the stairs, he jostled a man who was ascending, andnaturally was led to look at him. Harry came near dropping with sheersurprise. The man he recognized at once as Vernon, one of the men whomhe had seen in the wood.

CHAPTER XXII

BROUGHT TO BAY

Harry felt that matters were getting exciting, and a crisis seemedimminent.

"I will hurry as fast as I can," he said. "I suppose he has come aboutthe tin box, too. I hope he will stay till I get back."

Vernon, little dreaming that he was recognized by the office boy – as hetook him to be – who had just jostled against him, kept on his wayupstairs. His appearance was that of a well-dressed man, not much overthirty, who might be filling a responsible business position in thecity. When, therefore, he said to the clerk, "Is Mr. Wheeler in?" hereceived a more polite reply than had been accorded to Harry fifteenminutes before.

"Mr. Wheeler?" he asked.

"Yes," said the lawyer, with his usual scrutinizing look.

"I should like to speak to you in private, sir."

"Another claimant for the reward," thought the lawyer.

"Very well," he said. "Have the kindness to close the door."

Vernon did so.

"Now," said the lawyer, abruptly, desiring to get through with hisinterview before Harry's return from his mission.

"You advertised for the recovery of a tin box of valuables?" said

Vernon.

"Yes."

"I may be able to assist you in the matter," said Vernon.

"Indeed! Then you know where it is?" said the lawyer, eying him keenly.

"I didn't say that, did I?" asked Vernon, smiling craftily.

"No; but you probably know – that is, if your information is of anyvalue."

"That isn't at all necessary," said Vernon, coolly. "I may say as muchas this, however that I am employed by those who do know the whereaboutsof the box."

"Then there was more than one connected with the robbery?"

"Yes," said Vernon, hesitating.

He saw that every word was noted, and afforded a basis for inferences.

"What do your employers authorize you to say?" asked the lawyer, sittingback in his chair.

"That they can lay their hands on the bonds at short notice, and areready to return them, if it is made worth their while."

"I suppose you have read my advertisement, Mr. – "

"Precisely," answered Vernon, not taking the hint and announcing hisname.

He might do so soon, but resolved not to be precipitate.

"Then you know what reward we offer."

"It isn't enough," said Vernon, briefly.

"Why not? It seems to me that two hundred and fifty dollars is a veryrespectable sum of money."

"I shall charge my clients as much as that for my agency," said Vernon, "and they naturally want something for their trouble and risk."

"Do you know how much the box contains?"

"Yes; my clients have told me."

"Do they realize that, if they refuse my offer, they will findconsiderable trouble in negotiating the bonds?"

"Yes; but they can do it. There are parties who will advance them muchmore than the reward, and take the risk, holding them till such time asthe affair is forgotten."

"What parties?"

"Do you suppose I will tell you that, sir?" asked Vernon, cunningly.

Mr. Wheeler did not, but he was only filling up the time. He had made uphis mind that the man before him was something more than the agent ofthe thieves, and he now wished to protract the interview till Harryshould have had time to return with the two detectives.

"No," he replied, "I can hardly expect you to answer that question. Ishould like to ask you, however, whether you have had any conversationwith your clients about the sum they would consider sufficient to repaythem for their 'trouble'?"

"Yes, sir; that subject has come up between us."

"Well?"

"I think, sir, you will have to multiply the reward you offer by ten."

"Whew!" exclaimed the lawyer, who was not at all surprised, however.

"This is a large sum."

"It is only about one-sixth the market value of the bonds."

"I don't think my client would consent to pay so large a sum as that."

"Then your client must be prepared to lose the whole amount."

"It appears to me that a thousand dollars would be an adequate, not tosay a handsome, reward."