HAL'S ESCAPE FROM HARDWICK.
Hal could not help but shrink back as Hardwick advanced.
"Did you hear what I said?" demanded the man, after a second of silence.
"I did," replied Hal, in a disguised voice. He did not know whether or
not Hardwick had discovered his real identity, and he intended to run no
risk in the matter.
"Then answer me."
"Supposing I refuse to do so?"
"It won't help you," fumed Hardwick. "I know perfectly well who you
are."
"You do?" cried Hal, and he was taken aback by the ex-book-keeper's
words.
"Exactly. You are one of those mighty smart detectives old Sumner has
employed to shadow me."
Hal could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. His identity was still
a secret.
"Ain't I right?" went on Hardwick, seeing the youth did not reply.
"I decline to answer," replied Hal, firmly.
"Oh, you do?" sneered Hardwick.
"I do."
"Then you understand I've got you in a corner."
"I understand nothing of the sort."
"Supposing I should pull out my pistol?"
"You won't dare to do so."
"And pray why? How do I know but what you are not a footpad?" cried
Hardwick, getting angry at Hal's apparent coolness.
"Because a shot might bring others to the spot," said the youth,
bravely.
"No one is around."
"You forget that in New York detectives often travel in pairs."
It was a random remark, but it told. Hardwick turned pale, and shifted
uneasily.
"You're a cool customer," he said, eyeing Hal sharply.
"Detectives have to be cool."
"You won't gain anything by following me."
"I haven't said that I was following you."
"But you have admitted that you are a detective, and that amounts to the
same thing."
"Perhaps it does and perhaps it doesn't."
As Hal spoke, he looked around for Dick Ferris. The tall youth was
nowhere to be seen.
"What are you looking for?"
"That's my business."
"Come, don't get cheeky."
"Then don't question me."
Hardwick's eyes flashed fire. A dark look of hatred came into his face,
and he made a spring forward.
"I'll teach you a lesson," he hissed.
"Stand back!" cried Hal. "Stand back, or take the consequence!"
Hardly had Hal spoken the words when a sudden shadow caused him to
glance upward.
It was well that he did so.
On a large pile of lumber stood Dick Ferris, and in his hands he held a
heavy beam, which he was just on the point of letting fall upon Hal's
head.
The boy had barely time enough to spring to one side when with a boom
the beam came down and buried itself in the snow.
"You mean coward!" cried the youth. "Wait till I catch you!"
He made a dash to the side of the pile, which was arranged like steps,
intending to mount to where Ferris stood.
As he did so, Hardwick shouted something to the tall boy, and then
leaped the fence of the lumber-yard, and ran out on the side street.
Ferris could not see Hal now, but he understood what Hardwick said, and
as Hal mounted to the top of the pile the tall boy got down and let
himself drop off the edge.
He landed in the deep snow, and was not hurt in the least. Before Hal
could discover his flight, he was over the fence and on his way to join
Hardwick.
It took Hal but a minute to learn of the direction the two escaping
evil-doers had taken, and then he made after them with all possible
speed.
But the pursuit was a useless one, and at the end of several blocks Hal
gave it up, and dropped into a walk.
What was best to do next? Hal revolved the question in his mind a number
of times, and then, without wasting time, made his way back to the
costumer's establishment.
"I wish my disguise changed," he said.
"What, already?" said the proprietor, in astonishment.
"Yes, something has happened since I was here, and now I wish you to fix
me up differently."
"But the same sort of a character?"
"Yes."
"Then supposing I give you a different colored mustache and a beard for
those side whiskers?"
"That will do, if you will also change this suit and overcoat."
"Certainly."
The exchange was quickly made, and, looking like an entirely different
person, Hal left the costumer's and hurried down to Wall Street.
Making sure that no one but the new book-keeper and Mr. Sumner were
about the place, he entered.
"That's a splendid disguise," said the old broker, when the two were
alone.
"It's the second I've had to-day," said Hal.
"The second?"
"Yes. Since I saw you last I've had quite a few adventures."
"Of what nature, Hal? I trust you had no more trouble?"
"It didn't amount to much."
And, sitting down, Hal related all that had occurred.
"Dick Ferris must be a very wicked boy," remarked the broker, when Hal
had finished. "But about these slips that he is going to have printed.
Are you positive Mr. Allen gave them to him?"
"No, sir. But I think he did. He gave Ferris something and some money,
and Ferris lost no time in getting to the printing establishment."
"Humph!" Mr. Sumner mused for a moment. "I can hardly believe it, even
though the evidence seems plain enough."
"What are the slips?" asked Hal, with considerable curiosity.
"They are of the kind which we use in our daily business. Since Mr.
Allen and myself agreed to end our limited partnership, I have kept the
regular slips in my safe. Formerly they were in Hardwick's charge, where
both of us could have easy access to them, but now--well, to be plain, I
allow no business to be conducted unless under my supervision."
"And that is right, Mr. Sumner."
"Now, if Mr. Allen is really having these extra slips printed, it would
seem as if he--he----"
"Intended to make use of them without consulting you," finished Hal,
bluntly.
"Yes."
"He is none too good for that, sir. But wasn't he here this morning?"
"Yes. We had a very stormy interview. He is angry because I discharged
Hardwick, and would not believe me when I said Hardwick was a
defaulter."
"That's part of his plan."
"You may be right, Hal. You are a wonderful boy. As I was saying, we had
a stormy interview, and I doubt if he spends a great deal of time here
during the remaining days of our partnership."
"The partnership ends on New Year's day, doesn't it?"
"That was the day set, but by mutual agreement we have made the date the
twentieth of December."
"Why, that is day after to-morrow."
"Yes."
"The day the slips are to be finished."
"So it is."
"No wonder Ferris wished them as soon as possible."
Horace Sumner arose, and walked up and down the office.
"If there is to be any crooked work in the matter of the slips, I will
take good care to head it off. I might be swindled out of thousands of
dollars in that way."
"You will look over the genuine slips, I suppose?"
"I will, in the presence of the new book-keeper and another witness.
There shall be no under-handed work in the matter. I believe you are
altogether right, Hal. I have been surrounded by villains, and they
would pluck me to the end if I but gave them the chance."