Chapter XXVI. A Disagreeable Surprise - Page 2

flushed painfully, and he trembled with nervous agitation, for he feared something had happened.

"Very well, go out, but don't stay long."

Leonard crossed the street and walked up to Stark, who awaited him, looking grim and stern.

"Your uncle is inside?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Tell him I wish to see him at once-- on business of importance."

"He's busy," said Leonard. "'He doesn't leave the office in business hours."

"Tell him I must see him--do you hear? He'll come fast enough."

"I wonder what it's all about," thought Leonard, whose curiosity was naturally excited.

"Wait a minute!" said Stark, as he turned to go. "Is Jennings in?"

"No, sir, he has gone over to the next town."

"Probably the box has not been missed, then," thought Stark. "So much the better! I can find out how matters stand, and then leave town."

"Very well!" he said, aloud, "let your uncle understand that I must see him."

Leonard carried in the message. Gibbon made no objection, but took his hat and went out, leaving Leonard in charge of the office.

"Well, what is it?" he asked, hurriedly, as he reached Stark. "Is--is the box all right?"

"Look here, Gibbon," said Stark, harshly, "have you been playing any of your infernal tricks upon me?"

"I don't know what you mean," responded Gibbon, bewildered.

Stark eyed him sharply, but the bookkeeper was evidently sincere.

"Is there anything wrong?" continued the latter.

"Do you mean to tell me you didn't know that wretched box was filled with waste paper?"

"You don't mean it?" exclaimed Gibbon, in dismay.

"Yes, I do. I didn't open it till this morning, and in place of government bonds, I found only folded slips of newspaper."

By this time Gibbon was suspicious. Having no confidence in Stark, it occurred to him that it was a ruse to deprive him of his share of the bonds.

"I don't believe you," he said. "You want to keep all the bonds for yourself, and cheat me out of my share."

"I wish to Heaven you were right. If there had been any bonds, I would have acted on the square. But somebody had removed them, and substituted paper. I suspected you."

"I am ready to swear that this has happened without my knowledge," said Gibbon, earnestly.

"How, then, could it have occurred?" asked Stark.

"I don't know, upon my honor. Where is the box?"

"I--have disposed of it."

"You should have waited and opened it before me."