ny any knowledge of the stolen property and
all the proof Hal had was his own word, and that might not go very far
in a court of law.

"No, the only thing to do is to find those bonds and get them back
myself," he muttered. "Perhaps Allen only has part of them, and Hardwick
the other part. Besides, I have not yet learned what Macklin and Ferris
have to do with the case."

He knew there was a window in the back of the rear office; this was
tightly closed, so it would be of no use to attempt to hear anything
from that direction.

At last Hal took his stand opposite the entrance to the office. He had
hardly done so when Parsons and Samuels came out, and hurried up the
street at the top of their walking powers.

"Something is up," thought Hal. "Shall I follow them, or remain behind
with Allen?"

He knew if he wished to keep his place as clerk, he ought to go back
soon. He hesitated, and then decided to remain. So, procuring a sandwich
and an apple, he munched them down, and then walked in.

Caleb Allen looked at him darkly as he entered, but said nothing, and,
hanging up his coat and hat, Hal resumed the copying of the letter.

Half an hour later, a tall man came in. He was well dressed, and wore a
heavy black mustache and beard.

He glanced at Hal, and then walked over to where Allen sat at a desk,
writing a letter.

"I want to see you in private," he said, in a low tone.

The voice of the stranger sounded strangely familiar to Hal. Where had
he heard it before?

Allen looked perplexed for an instant, and then seemed to comprehend the
situation. He at once led the way to the office in the rear. The
stranger entered, and the door was once more tightly closed.

Our young hero at once left off writing, and tiptoed his way back. An
idea had struck him concerning the stranger's identity, and the first
words from behind the thin partition proved that he was correct.

"So you have donned the disguise, Hardwick," were Allen's words.

"Yes, deuce take the luck, I was forced to do it."

"You got my letter advising it?"

"I did. But that wasn't what brought me to it. I was followed by one of
old Sumner's detectives."

"Ha! Did he discover anything?"

"Not from me. But I'm afraid he did in another direction."

Allen turned pale, and shifted uneasily.

"What way?" he exclaimed, hoarsely.

"I am pretty well satisfied the same fellow followed Ferris to the
establishment where you are having those bogus bills pr