MR. JONES IS EXCITED.
The astonishment and wrath of Mr. Jones were almost ludicrous as he
stared at the lawyer, who, cool and composed, reiterated his threat.
"I never heard of such a thing!" he gasped. "You take my own money from
me?"
"It remains to be proved whether it is your own money. The boy says it
is his."
"The boy lies."
"Really, Mr. Jones, I cannot allow you to make such charges against my
client, unless you are ready to substantiate them by proof."
"It stands to reason," began Mr. Jones, but the young lawyer interrupted
him.
"Nothing stands to reason that you can't prove," he said. "We will give
you an opportunity to prove your ownership of the bill to-morrow in
court. Now hand the bill to officer Drake."
Very much against his will, Mr. Jones felt compelled to do this.
"Isn't the boy going to be arrested?" he demanded, with an ugly look at
Bert.
"It is unnecessary. You can bring a formal charge against him before
Squire Marlowe to-morrow."
"The boy may escape during the night. I won't trust him."
There was a murmur of disapproval among those present. All liked Bert,
and Mr. Jones, from his quick temper and ugly disposition, was by no
means a favorite. The store-keeper saw that it would not be good policy
to insist upon Bert's arrest, and he said, sullenly, "I will hold you
responsible for his presence at the trial."
Mr. Conway smiled.
"If he is not present, I will myself see that you do not suffer in
consequence. Besides, flight would be tantamount to confession, and the
case would go against him by default."
"And should I in that case get the twenty-dollar bill?"
"I will take it upon me to offer no opposition," said the lawyer.
"Now, can I go?" asked Bert.
"Yes; I will accompany you home for consultation."
Bert took the can of kerosene and was about to leave the store, when the
store-keeper said harshly: "Put down that kerosene! you haven't paid for
it!"
Bert flushed and looked embarrassed. It was true that he had not paid
for it, nor did he have the money to pay, outside of the twenty-dollar
bill which had been taken from him.
"I have no money," he said. "I will leave it till to-morrow."
"How much is it, Mr. Jones?" asked Conway.
"Twenty-five cents."
"I will advance the money. Bert, take your can."
"You are very kind, Mr. Conway," said the boy gratefully.
"We will settle hereafter. Now let us be going."
In explanation of the price mentioned, I may say that kerosene is now
much cheaper than at the date of my story.
"Now, Bert," said Mr. Conway, "as your legal adviser I shall have to ask
you to tell me just where you obtained the bill you offered in payment
to Mr. Jones for the kerosene. I have no doubt of your innocence, but we
must make it plain to all who may attend the trial."
"I should like to have you come home with me, Mr. Conway. Mother will
confirm what I say."
"I shall be glad to do so. Will your mother be alarmed?"
"Yes, I think she will; but you can make things clear to her."
Mrs. Barton was indeed startled when she learned that Bert had been
charged with theft, but after a free talk with Mr. Conway she felt much
relieved.
"Your defence is perfect, I think," said the young lawyer. "Of course
Mr. Jones or his lawyer may claim that you wrote the letter yourself."
"Will it be necessary to send to Uncle Jacob and get him to testify?"
"I don't think so. I think your defence will be complete without it.
There is another point of considerable importance which I shall look up
to-night. If things turn out as I suspect they will, we shall not need
to disturb your Uncle Jacob."
At nine o'clock Mr. Conway took his leave and returned to the hotel. He
had a short conference with the landlord, which was evidently
satisfactory.
"I think we shall prove too many for Mr. Jones," he murmured softly, as
he went up to bed.