The Missing Tin Box: or, The Stolen Railroad Bonds. Stratemeyer Edward

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      Then Hal began to speculate on the foot-marks on the window-sill. If the thief had entered the office that way, why were not some of the same marks visible on the carpet in front of the safe?

      When Hardwick went out to lunch, Hal watched him from the office window. At the corner he saw the book-keeper joined by Dick Ferris, and the two seemed to be in earnest conversation as they walked along.

      When Hardwick came back Hal was given a half hour. The boy put on his hat and coat and went out. He did not feel like eating, and he walked up to the corner and around to the back street, intending to pay a visit to the alley through which the robber was supposed to have escaped.

      Just as he was about to turn into the narrow place, now piled high with snow, somebody caught him by the shoulder. Turning, he found himself confronted by Dick Ferris.

      "Hullo, there!" said the tall boy.

      "How are you?" returned Hal coldly.

      "I hear you've got my place," went on Ferris.

      "What if I have?" asked Hal, abruptly.

      "I thought you were hanging around trying to do me out of it."

      "I didn't try to do you out of it. Mr. Sumner asked me to call at his office and I went. Then he offered me the place and I took it."

      "Did he know you?"

      "May I ask what business that is of yours?"

      "Shut up, you little street tramp, you!" retorted Ferris. "Do you know what I've a good mind to do?"

      "I must admit I do not."

      "Give you a mighty good thrashing."

      "Two can play at that game," replied Hal, with a nervous little laugh.

      "What, do you mean to say you can stand up against me?" demanded Ferris. "Maybe you don't know I am an athlete."

      "And perhaps you are not aware that I am perfectly able to take care of myself," returned Hal.

      "Take that!" cried Ferris.

      He hauled off and aimed a wicked blow at the youth's nose. Had it struck Hal it would have injured him considerably.

      But the youth dodged; and the next instant Dick Ferris received a crack fairly between the eyes that made him see stars, and caused him to stagger up against the side of a building.

      "What – what – " he gasped.

      "That for attacking me," replied Hal. "Don't you try any such game again."

      "I'll fix you!" roared Ferris. He was boiling with rage. "You miserable street cur!"

      He sprang at Hal and caught him by both arms, intending to trip the youth up.

      But Hal stood his ground, and by a sudden twist freed himself.

      "Let me alone, Ferris," he commanded.

      "Oh, of course I will!" replied the tall boy, sarcastically.

      "If you don't, you'll regret it."

      "Will I? Take that, and that!"

      Ferris struck out twice. Hal parried the first blow, but the second just grazed his lip, causing that member to bleed slightly.

      "Told you I'd fix you!" roared Ferris.

      He had hardly spoken the words before Hal pulled himself together and went at him. The youth's arms shot out right and left, and before he was aware of what was taking place, Ferris received a stinging blow on the forehead, and then came one on the chin that sent him rolling over in the snow.

      "Dat's right, give it ter him!" shouted a newsboy who stood by, grinning from ear to ear. "Do him up in one round!"

      Ferris got upon his feet slowly. His head felt dizzy from the shock he had received.

      "Want any more?" demanded Hal, facing him with clenched fists.

      "Cheese it! here comes der cops!" put in the newsboy.

      Hal looked up, and saw a policeman bearing toward the spot. Ferris also gave a glance, and he muttered something under his breath.

      "What did you say?" demanded Hal.

      "I'll settle with you another time," replied Ferris.

      And picking up his hat, which had landed in a near-by drift, he placed it on his head, and sneaked down the street at a rapid gait.

      In a minute the policeman arrived at the spot.

      "What is the trouble here?" he demanded.

      "A fellow attacked me," replied Hal.

      "I see your lip's cut. Why did he do it?"

      "I got a job he used to have, and he's angry over it."

      "Oh!" The policeman tossed his head. "Did you hit back?"

      "I defended myself," replied Hal, briefly.

      He was half afraid he might be called on to make some sort of a charge, a thing he did not wish to do now the encounter was over.

      "He did der feller fer keeps!" put in the newsboy.

      "Go on with you!" cried the policeman, and the newsboy ran off, while Hal started on his way back to the office.

      "What's the matter with your lip?" inquired Hardwick, as the youth entered.

      "I cut it," replied Hal.

      The book-keeper turned and smiled to himself.

      "I guess Ferris kept his word," he muttered. "He said he was going to fix the boy. I wish he had killed the tramp."

      That afternoon dragged heavily, but at last it was time to close up. Mr. Sumner hardly spoke to either when they bade him good-evening.

      Hardwick walked up Wall Street, and then turned into Nassau, instead of continuing to Broadway.

      Suddenly an idea entered Hal's head to follow Hardwick.

      Despite all the evidence pointing in other directions, the youth thought Hardwick either guilty of the robbery or else that the book-keeper knew much concerning it.

      Hardwick continued up Nassau Street until he reached Park Row.

      Hal kept out of sight behind the man, and presently Hardwick continued up Park Row until he came to one of the side streets just beyond the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge.

      He turned into this street, piled high on either side with dirty snow, and then entered one of the worst thoroughfares in New York City.

      By this time it was quite dark, and Hal had to keep close, for fear of losing sight of his man. He was now thoroughly interested, for he knew Hardwick boarded somewhere uptown, and it must be some special business that would bring the book-keeper to this part of the city on such a disagreeable evening.

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