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The Telegraph Boy, a novel by Horatio Alger |
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Chapter 23. Brought To Bay |
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_ CHAPTER XXIII. BROUGHT TO BAY Mr. Haynes had a private reason for accepting readily the commission to visit Brooklyn. It occurred to him at once that it would give him an excellent chance to call on his real-estate agent, and confer with him upon future investments. For James Haynes had the comfortable consciousness that he was a prosperous man. Month by month, and year by year, he was adding largely to his gains, and while he was still a young man he would be rich, _if all went well_. Of course this meant if his peculations remained undiscovered. Why should they not be? He plumed himself on the skill with which he managed to rob his employer. He was no vulgar bungler to break into the store, or enter into an alliance with burglars. Not he! The property he took was carried off openly before Mr. Hartley's very eyes, and he knew nothing of it. He did not even suspect that he was being robbed. This is what Mr. Haynes thought; but, as we know, he was mistaken. Even now he was in a net; but did not know it. After attending to Mr. Hartley's commission Haynes went to see his broker. The conversation he had with the broker was of a very encouraging character. He was congratulated upon his investments, and assured that they would pay him handsomely. James Haynes returned from Brooklyn in a very pleasant mood. "A year or two more of life as a clerk, and I will throw off the yoke," he said to himself. "I must be worth at least fifteen thousand dollars now, apart from any rise in the value of my investments. When I reach twenty-five thousand I will resign my position, and go to Europe. I shall than possess an income adequate to my simple wants." "Is Mr. Hartley in the counting-room?" he asked, as he reentered the store. "Yes, sir, and he wishes to see you." "Of course he wants to see me,--to hear my report." The merchant looked up as Haynes entered the counting-room. "So you are back?" he said, gravely. "Yes, sir; I was detained a little, but I fulfilled my commission." "That is well." Here Haynes made his report. Mr. Hartley listened with an abstracted air, for his thoughts were upon the defalcation of the man before him. Finishing his statement, James Haynes turned to leave the office, but his employer called him back. "Wait a minute, Mr. Haynes," he said, gravely. "I wish to ask you one or two questions." "Certainly, sir." "I believe we have transactions with a party in Hartford, with the firm-name of H. L. Davis & Co.?" "Yes, sir," said Haynes, starting and flushing a little. "Is Mr. Davis a relative of yours?" "Yes, sir. I wonder where he heard that?" Haynes asked himself. "Is there any trouble? Is he behind in his payments?" inquired the clerk. "No; he has always settled his bills with commendable promptness." "I insisted on that," said Haynes, in a satisfied tone. "I didn't want you to lose by any connection of mine." "And you are quite sure that I have lost nothing by Mr. Davis?" demanded the merchant, regarding Haynes intently. The latter changed color. "How is that possible," he inquired, "since he has met his payments promptly?" "You have personally seen to the packing of Mr. Davis's goods, I believe, Mr. Haynes?" "Well--generally," stammered the rather disconcerted clerk. "At all events, you did so this morning?" "Ye-es." "After you started for Brooklyn, I had the case opened, and found some patterns of silk not included in the bill." "I suppose there was a mistake," said Haynes, turning pale. "You think this has not happened before?" "I am sure of it." "Mr. Haynes," said his employer, sternly, "you may as well drop the mask of innocence. I have been robbed systematically for the last three years, and I now understand how it was done. You and Davis, between you, have plundered me in an exceedingly ingenious manner. It will go hard with you before a jury." "You won't have me arrested!" exclaimed Haynes, his pallor indicating his dismay. "Why should I not?" "You could prove nothing." "I will take my chance of that. Have you nothing more to say?" "I--though I do not admit that your charge is correct--I am willing to make over to you the greater part of my property, to avoid the scandal of a trial." "That will not do, Mr. Haynes. Were I to accept this upon such a ground, you could rightfully bring against me a charge of blackmail." "What, then, are your terms?" asked Haynes, sullenly. "You must write out a confession of your guilt, which I shall put among my private papers, and not make public unless necessary, and in addition you must make over to me property to the amount of ten thousand dollars. It will not make up my losses, but I will accept it as restitution in full." Against this James Haynes most strongly protested, alleging that the sum demanded was far beyond the amount of his purloinings; but finally he yielded, being privately resolved to make his brother-in-law pay one-half of the forfeiture. "You will leave my service at the end of the week, Mr. Haynes," said his employer, "and during next week you must attend to the transfer." "How did he find out?" said Haynes to himself, as with grave face he went about the duties of the place he was so soon to leave. "If I could find out, I would have my revenge." _ |
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