Mr. Hardwick contemplated robbing that safe, and I feel certain
in my mind that he is the one who did it."

Hal had hardly spoken before the book-keeper sprang upon him, forcing
him over backward against the safe door.

"I'm the thief, am I?" he cried in Hal's ear. "Take that back, or I'll
make you!"

CHAPTER IV.

HAL STANDS UP FOR HIMSELF.

Hal now found himself in a tight situation. Felix Hardwick had him by
the throat, and was slowly but surely choking him.

"Don't! don't!" cried Mr. Sumner, in great alarm.

"The miserable tramp!" cried Hardwick. "I'll teach him to call a
gentleman a thief."

He continued his choking process, paying no attention to his employer's
efforts to haul him away.

But by this time Hal began to realize that Hardwick was in earnest. He
began to kick, and presently landed a blow in the book-keeper's stomach
that completely winded the man.

Hardwick relaxed his hold, and Hal sprang away.

"Stop! stop!" ordered Mr. Sumner. "I will not have such disgraceful
scenes in this office."

"But he intimated I was a thief," said Hardwick, trying to catch his
wind.

"And he said the same of me," retorted Hal.

"So you are!"

"I never stole a thing in my life, Mr. Sumner." Hal turned to the
broker. "And I am not a tramp."

"Then supposing we make it a poor-house beggar," returned Hardwick, with
a short laugh.

Hal turned red. The shot was a cruel one.

"Hush! Hardwick," cried Mr. Sumner. "There is no necessity for such
language."

The broker turned to Hal.

"You just made a strange statement, Carson," he said. "How do you know
Mr. Hardwick contemplated robbing the safe?"

"Because I do."

"That is no answer."

"I overheard him and Mr. Allen talking about the bonds being in the
safe."

"When?"

"The evening I came to New York."

"What was said?"

"I can't repeat the words, but they said the bonds were worth nearly
eighty thousand dollars, and that the safe was often left open during
the day."

"It's an infamous story!" put in Hardwick, his face growing red. "Mr.
Sumner, don't you believe the beggar."

"I am telling the truth," said Hal, as calmly as he could.

"Hush, Hardwick!"

"But, sir----" began the book-keeper.

"One story at a time. I will hear what you have to say later."

"Do you mean to say you would take that boy's word against mine?"
demanded Hardwick, haughtily.

"I intend to listen to his story without further interruption from you,"
res