"I have brought no such charge, Mrs. Estabrook. I have only explained how there may be doubt of your claim to the money."
"I thought you knew me better, sir."
"I think I do, and I also think I know Grant better than to think him capable of abstracting your bonds. Yet you have had no hesitation in bringing this serious charge against him."
"That is different, sir."
"Pardon me, I can see no difference. He has the same right that you have to be considered innocent till he is proved to be guilty."
"You must admit, sir," said Willis Ford, "that appearances are very much against Grant."
"I admit nothing, at present; for the affair seems to be complicated. Perhaps, Mr. Ford, you can offer some suggestion that will throw light upon the mystery."
"I don"t think it very mysterious, sir. My mother kept her bonds in the upper drawer of her bureau. This boy had the run of the house.
What was to prevent his entering my mother"s room, opening the drawer, and taking anything he found of value?"
"What was to prevent some one else doing it, Mr. Ford--myself, for example?"
"Of course that is different, Mr. Reynolds."
"Well, I don"t know. I am honest, and so, I believe, is Grant."
"Thank you, sir," said Grant, gratefully.
"It just occurred to me," said Ford, "to ask my mother if she has at any time lost or mislaid her keys."
"Well thought of, Mr. Ford," and Mr. Reynolds turned to his housekeeper for a reply.
"No," answered Mrs. Estabrook. "I keep my keys in my pocket, and I have them there yet."
So saying, she produced four keys attached to a ring.
"Then," continued Ford, "if Grant chances to have a key which will fit the bureau drawer, that would be evidence against him."
"Show me any keys you may have, Grant," said the broker.
Grant thrust his hand in his pocket and drew out two keys. He looked at them in astonishment.
"One of them unlocks my valise," he said. "The other is a strange key. I did not know I had it."
Ford smiled maliciously. "Let us see if it will open the bureau drawer," he said.
The party adjourned to the housekeeper"s room. The key was put into the lock of the bureau drawer and opened it at once.
"I think there is no more to be said," said Willis Ford, triumphantly.
Grant looked the picture of surprise and dismay.
CHAPTER XVIII -- GRANT"S ENEMIES TRIUMPH
It is not too much to say that Grant was overwhelmed by the unexpected discovery, in his pocket, of a key that fitted the housekeeper"s drawer. He saw at once how strong it made the evidence against him, and yet he knew himself to be innocent. The most painful thought was, that Mr. Reynolds would believe him to be guilty.
In fact, the broker for the first time began to think that Grant might possibly have yielded to temptation.
"Can"t you account for the possession of that key?" he asked.
"No, sir," answered Grant, in painful embarra.s.sment. "I have occasion to use but one key, and that is the key to my valise."
"I think you had occasion to use the other," sneered Ford.
"Mr. Ford," retorted Grant, indignantly, "you are determined to think me guilty; but I care nothing for your opinion. I should be very sorry if Mr. Reynolds should think me capable of such baseness."
"Your guilt seems pretty clear," said Ford, sarcastically; "as I have no doubt Mr. Reynolds will agree."
"Speak for yourself, Mr. Ford," said the banker, quietly.
"I hope you are not going to shield that young thief, Mr. Reynolds,"
said the housekeeper. "His guilt is as clear as noonday. I think he ought to be arrested."
"You are rather in a hurry, Mrs. Estabrook," said Mr. Reynolds; "and I must request you to be careful how you make charges against me."
"Against you?" asked the housekeeper, alarmed at his tone.
"Yes," answered the broker, sternly. "You have insinuated that I intend to shield a supposed thief. I have only to say that at present the theft is to be proved."
"I submit, sir," said Ford, "that the evidence is pretty strong.
The boy is proved to have had the bonds in his possession, he admits that he sold a part of them and has the money in his possession, and a key is found in his possession which will open the drawer in which the bonds were kept."
"Who put the key in my pocket?" demanded Grant, quickly.
For a moment Willis Ford looked confused, and his momentary confusion was not lost upon Grant or the banker.
"No doubt you put it there yourself," he answered, sharply, after a monent"s pause.
"That matter will be investigated," said the broker.
"I think the money ought to be paid to me," said the housekeeper.
"Can you prove your ownership of the bonds?" asked the broker.
"I can," answered Willis Ford, flippantly. "I have seen them."
"I should like some additional evidence," said Mr. Reynolds. "You are related to Mrs. Esta-brook, and may be supposed to have some interest in the matter."