"Use all dispatch," he said.

"I will," answered our hero, promptly.

As he left the inner office, the clerk outside regarded him curiously.

He was surprised at the long interview accorded him, and wondered what could be his errand.

As Harry descended the stairs, he jostled a man who was ascending, and naturally was led to look at him. Harry came near dropping with sheer surprise. The man he recognized at once as Vernon, one of the men whom he had seen in the wood.

CHAPTER XXII

BROUGHT TO BAY

Harry felt that matters were getting exciting, and a crisis seemed imminent.

"I will hurry as fast as I can," he said. "I suppose he has come about the tin box, too. I hope he will stay till I get back."

Vernon, little dreaming that he was recognized by the office boy--as he took him to be--who had just jostled against him, kept on his way upstairs. His appearance was that of a well-dressed man, not much over thirty, who might be filling a responsible business position in the city. When, therefore, he said to the clerk, "Is Mr. Wheeler in?" he received a more polite reply than had been accorded to Harry fifteen minutes before.

"Mr. Wheeler?" he asked.

"Yes," said the lawyer, with his usual scrutinizing look.

"I should like to speak to you in private, sir."

"Another claimant for the reward," thought the lawyer.

"Very well," he said. "Have the kindness to close the door."

Vernon did so.

"Now," said the lawyer, abruptly, desiring to get through with his interview before Harry's return from his mission.

"You advertised for the recovery of a tin box of valuables?" said Vernon.

"Yes."

"I may be able to a.s.sist you in the matter," said Vernon.

"Indeed! Then you know where it is?" said the lawyer, eying him keenly.

"I didn't say that, did I?" asked Vernon, smiling craftily.

"No; but you probably know--that is, if your information is of any value."

"That isn't at all necessary," said Vernon, coolly. "I may say as much as this, however that I am employed by those who do know the whereabouts of the box."

"Then there was more than one connected with the robbery?"

"Yes," said Vernon, hesitating.

He saw that every word was noted, and afforded a basis for inferences.

"What do your employers authorize you to say?" asked the lawyer, sitting back in his chair.

"That they can lay their hands on the bonds at short notice, and are ready to return them, if it is made worth their while."

"I suppose you have read my advertis.e.m.e.nt, Mr.----"

"Precisely," answered Vernon, not taking the hint and announcing his name.

He might do so soon, but resolved not to be precipitate.

"Then you know what reward we offer."

"It isn't enough," said Vernon, briefly.

"Why not? It seems to me that two hundred and fifty dollars is a very respectable sum of money."

"I shall charge my clients as much as that for my agency," said Vernon, "and they naturally want something for their trouble and risk."

"Do you know how much the box contains?"

"Yes; my clients have told me."

"Do they realize that, if they refuse my offer, they will find considerable trouble in negotiating the bonds?"

"Yes; but they can do it. There are parties who will advance them much more than the reward, and take the risk, holding them till such time as the affair is forgotten."

"What parties?"

"Do you suppose I will tell you that, sir?" asked Vernon, cunningly.

Mr. Wheeler did not, but he was only filling up the time. He had made up his mind that the man before him was something more than the agent of the thieves, and he now wished to protract the interview till Harry should have had time to return with the two detectives.

"No," he replied, "I can hardly expect you to answer that question. I should like to ask you, however, whether you have had any conversation with your clients about the sum they would consider sufficient to repay them for their 'trouble'?"

"Yes, sir; that subject has come up between us."

"Well?"

"I think, sir, you will have to multiply the reward you offer by ten."

"Whew!" exclaimed the lawyer, who was not at all surprised, however.

"This is a large sum."