The young detective here related the whole story, telling why he suspected Mortimer, how he saw him at the bank in Herbert's place, how he shadowed him up Broadway--told of the bootblacking scene, in which he got the essential facts from Peter Smartweed and Mortimer; related his manner of gaining admittance to the fence, and told of the trick he played upon the old man and Felix--the trick that enabled him to carry out to success his scheme for liberating Herbert Randolph.

"And you did all of this alone?" asked the banker, with genuine astonishment.

"Yes, sir," replied Bob, carelessly, as if it didn't amount to much.

"I cannot realize it," said Mr. Goldwin, admiringly. "A professional detective could not have done better, and probably would have fallen far short of doing as well."

"I didn't think nothin' of it," returned Bob. "'Twas easy enough, and 'twas kinder of excitin', too."

"And you liked the excitement?"

Bob admitted that he did, but was very modest about his triumph, and was not disposed to look upon it as any great feat now it was all over. But Mr. Goldwin a.s.sured him, in most complimentary terms, that great credit was due to him for the skill and bravery he had displayed.

Meanwhile Felix Mortimer had been slyly inching towards a door that was a little to his left; and now that Mr. Goldwin's attention was centered upon young Bob Hunter, he seized the opportunity, and made a mad plunge for liberty. His movements, however, had been detected by Herbert Randolph, and he no sooner reached the door than the young Vermonter grasped him firmly by the collar, and jerked him back.

Mortimer's effort to escape prompted Mr. Goldwin to sound the alarm for a policeman. An officer responded promptly, and immediately arrested the young criminal, and took him to the station house, where he was locked into a cell.

"I was never so deceived in a boy in my life," remarked the banker, with a troubled look, when the officer had gone with his prisoner. "He has a remarkably strong character, and had he taken the right course in life, would have made an able man. It always makes me sad to see a bright boy, just entering upon his career, start in a way that is sure to result in disgrace and ruin."

"His a.s.sociates have doubtless had a bad influence over him," said Herbert, as if trying to soften the boy's offense.

"It is certainly praiseworthy in you, Mr. Randolph, to speak so kindly of one who caused you so much suffering as that boy did," returned Mr.

Goldwin.

"Well, since his evil purpose has recoiled upon himself, he is now the chief sufferer; and besides, I do not think he wanted to injure me farther than to get me out of his way. And he knew no other plan, I suppose, than to keep me a prisoner."

"I am glad to see you view the matter so charitably," said the banker, warmly, for he appreciated highly this glimpse of Herbert's character.

"But what do you say to old Gunwagner?" put in Bob.

"I think he is a heartless old wretch," answered young Randolph, with fire in his eyes. "It is he who abused me so cruelly."

"You say he, too, is locked up now?" asked Mr. Goldwin.

"Yes."

"Do you think he has any property?"

"I should judge so. In fact, he tried to buy us off when he found we had him cornered."

"It is possible that you may be able to get damages for false imprisonment," said the banker, thoughtfully.

"I had not thought of that," returned Herbert.

"Mind you, I said it was possible only, so do not have too great hopes of such a result."

"No, I will not, and the damage was not much, unless I lost my situation with you," replied Herbert, somewhat anxiously.

"No, you have not lost that, for I shall reinstate you at once. You have proved yourself to be the sort of young man I desire in my business."

"Thank you, sir, for your compliment, and especially for reinstating me.

I should be very sorry to lose this position, and I know my father and mother would feel badly, too."

"Do not worry about that, my boy. Employers are as anxious to get desirable clerks as clerks are eager to be employed. But to return to the matter of false imprisonment, I will state the case to my lawyer, and see what there is in it. Of course it would be no use to fight him if he is worth nothing."

"He said he had plenty of money--enough to make us all rich," put in Bob, with some enthusiasm. "It would be a great act to make him come down handsome. I'd like to see it done."

"Those fellows usually have a lot of money," said Mr. Goldwin, "and I agree with Bob--I will call you by that name hereafter--that it would be gratifying to recover damages."

"That's right, I like to be called Bob--everybody calls me that."

"Well, Bob, you are a character. I shall take a great interest in your development, for I think you have done the smartest thing, in getting your friend out of old Gunwagner's clutches, that I ever knew a boy of your age to do."

Bob's cheeks became highly colored. He had not been accustomed to praise, and such compliments as these from a rich banker were unwieldy for him.

"Tom Flannery helped me," said the young detective, generously trying to throw some of the glory upon Tom.

"Tom Flannery! Who is he?"

"He is a fellow what sells papers too. Me and him worked this case up together."

"What sort of a boy is he--sharp, like yourself, I suppose?"

"Well, he done some good work helpin' me," replied Bob, evading the question as to Tom's keenness.

The fact is that young Flannery was not wonderfully sharp; but Bob liked him for his honest, good natured self, and, therefore, would only speak in praise of him.

The banker drew Bob out, and learned of the fire act that Tom performed so satisfactorily. But his keen sense detected the truth of the matter, and he was satisfied as to where the real merit lay.

"Bob," said he, "your modesty and your efforts to throw much of the credit on Tom Flannery are certainly becoming to you. I like you for the spirit you show in the matter. But, nevertheless, I recognize in you the chief of the undertaking--the one who planned and carried out the entire scheme. Now, here is a little present for you; I want you to take it and buy you a good suit of clothes, so that you will be as well dressed as Herbert. I believe you room together?"

"Yes, we do," said Bob. "But I don't want no present. I can earn some money to buy clothes with."

"But I want you to take it," replied Mr. Goldwin. "You have done a great act of kindness to Herbert, and to me as well, for sooner or later we would doubtless have suffered a loss by Felix Mortimer."

Bob took the crisp new bills reluctantly--four of them, five dollars each--twenty dollars--he had never held so much money in his hands at any one time before, and this was all his own.

He felt bewildered. After a moment's pause, however, he said, "Mayn't I give some of this to Tom Flannery?"

"I expected you would say that," replied the banker, enjoying Bob's surprise, "so I retained a five dollar bill for Tom. Here it is; give it to him with my regards. He, too, did us a service in aiding you as he did."

Bob's joy was now beyond expression. He looked, however, the thankfulness that he could not find words to express.

"You may go now," said Mr. Goldwin, kindly. "I will keep you in mind, and see what I can do for you. Come and see me within a few days."

Bob thanked Mr. Goldwin heartily, and left the bank, overflowing with happiness. When the young detective had gone, Mr. Goldwin asked Herbert many questions about him.

"I think he is a promising lad," said the banker. "I have taken a great liking to him. He has a droll, comical way that is very pleasing."