MR. KIRBY WRITES A LETTER FOR EFFECT.
Any lingering doubts Dean might have were of course dissipated by the
sight of the watch. It was evident that his employer was a professional
thief and pickpocket. The question arose, ought he or ought he not to
expose and denounce him?
Should he do so he would find himself adrift, without money or
situation. Moreover, he would lose the chance of proving Kirby the
accomplice of Squire Bates in the robbery of his uncle. On the whole,
he decided to wait, and conceal from Kirby the knowledge that he had
acquired concerning him.
Kirby remained but a day in Boston. What business he attended to Dean
didn't know. He was left to his own devices, and managed to see Boston
Common, Bunker Hill Monument, and to ride out on a Washington Street
line of cars to Roxbury. Late in the evening he started for Chicago
with Mr. Kirby, and two days later the two registered at the Commercial
Hotel, corner of Lake and Dearborn Streets. Dean enjoyed the journey.
He caught sight of the famous falls of Niagara, and would like to have
stopped for a few hours there to see the cataract at his leisure, but
of course didn't venture to make such a request of Mr. Kirby, who, as
he knew, was traveling for his own purposes, not for the gratification
of his private secretary.
They reached Chicago in the morning and took breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast Kirby said, "Come out with me, Dean; I will show you a
little of the city."
Dean accepted the invitation with alacrity.
The two walked through some of the principal thoroughfares. Dean was
impressed by the large and handsome buildings everywhere to be seen in
the business portions of the city. Finally they turned into a minor
street, lined with smaller and less pretentious structures.
Peter Kirby halted at last before a pawnbroker's office, with the three
golden balls displayed above the entrance.
"Oh, by the way, Dean," said Kirby, suddenly, "I am a little short of
money, and must borrow some on an article I don't need at present."
"Yes, sir?" said Dean, inquiringly.
"This is a pawnbroker's office. Take this watch, and ask the pawnbroker
to lend you twenty-five dollars on it. You can give him your own name,
and for address you may say Buffalo."
"But I don't live in Buffalo."
"That doesn't matter. He will be more apt to let you have the money if
he thinks you came from a distance. It isn't necessary to give the
correct address."
Mr. Kirby drew from his pocket the gold watch which Dean had seen in
the stateroom of the Pilgrim, and which he was sure had been stolen
from the elderly gentleman who had complained of being robbed.
Dean started and flushed, as Kirby held the watch in his hand.
"Is that your watch?" he asked.
"No; it belongs to my wife. I shall redeem it before I return East. If
the pawnbroker won't give you twenty-five dollars, get as much as you
can. You look like a boy sharp at a bargain. Say that it belonged to
your uncle."
"Mr. Kirby," said Dean, "I would rather not do what you ask me."
"What do you mean?" demanded Kirby, angrily.
"What I say. I would rather not pawn that watch for you."
"Look here, boy," said Kirby, roughly, "are you aware that you are
behaving in a very foolish, not to say impudent manner?"
"I have my reasons for declining," said Dean.
"Why do you think I pay you wages?" asked Kirby, frowning.
"I understood that I was to be your private secretary."
"And a mighty easy place you have had so far!"
"That is true, sir."
"This is almost the first thing I have asked you to do, and you refuse."
"I told you that I had my reasons for it," said Dean, resolutely,
though his look was troubled.
"The boy suspects me," thought Kirby. "It is time I got rid of him."
"We will discuss this matter hereafter," he said quietly. "We shall
have to come to an understanding. Stay here till I come out."
He went into the pawnbroker's, and in less than five minutes returned
with a roll of bills.
"It appears that I have to do my own work, though you are in my
employ," he said with a sneer.
Dean didn't reply. He began to suspect that he would not long retain
the place which he at present filled. He resolved to look about him,
and if he saw anywhere a chance to get into the employ of some one else
to take advantage of it. In a money way he might not do so well, but he
did not wish to remain connected any longer than he could help with a
man of Mr. Kirby's character.
At the Commercial Hotel, Dean and his employer occupied the same room.
They remained in the Lake City for a week.
Dean's labors were very light, being confined to the writing of four
letters, one of which is subjoined as a specimen. It was addressed to a
certain John Carver, of San Francisco. It ran thus:
DEAR SIR:
You may sell out the two hundred shares of mining stock which you hold
of mine as soon as a satisfactory price can be obtained. I think I
ought to get twenty dollars per share, but will accept eighteen if you
think it best. The amount you can deposit to my credit in the Bank of
Nevada.
Yours truly,
PETER KIRBY.
Kirby watched Dean's face when he was writing this letter. It was
intended for effect simply, and to dispel the suspicions of his young
secretary. But Dean had been gaining rapidly in knowledge of the world,
and especially in the knowledge of his employer, and he had little
belief in his mining property.
"How much do you think that mining stock cost me, Dean?" said Kirby, in
a confidential tone.
"I couldn't guess, sir."
"Four dollars and a quarter per share. How much would that be on two
hundred shares?"
"Eight hundred and fifty dollars."
"Correct! I see you are quick at figures. Now, even if I sell at
eighteen, and I am certain to get that, I shall make a very tidy
profit. Let me see, it would foot up thirty-six hundred dollars—a
profit of twenty seven hundred, allowing the extra fifty for broker's
commission."
"Are you going to San Francisco, Mr. Kirby?" asked Dean.
"I may; I am not quite sure. It is a lucky city for me. Whenever I go
there I make money."
Dean could not help wondering whether he made it in the same way as on
the Fall River boat.
"I have been rather short of money lately," continued Mr. Kirby,
"because I was not willing to sell out my shares except at the top of
the market. However I think I may venture to sell now."
Dean made no comment He did not believe that Kirby owned any mining
shares at all.
"Shall I mail the letter for you, Mr. Kirby?" asked the young secretary.
"No; I shall be going out myself," answered his employer. "You may hand
me the letter when you have put it in the envelope."
Kirby carelessly dropped the letter into his pocket, and when Dean was
out of the way he destroyed it. It was never intended to be mailed.
"The boy looks skeptical," said Kirby to himself, as he sent Dean to
the office to buy a postage stamp. "It isn't easy to pull the wool over
his eyes. I must get rid of him, and that soon."