did not
fail to notice this, and it set him to thinking.

If only he had listened more attentively to what had been said on the
ferry-boat that night! Hal was sure if he had done this he would have
known if Hardwick and Allen were guilty or not.

Then Hal began to speculate on the foot-marks on the window-sill. If the
thief had entered the office that way, why were not some of the same
marks visible on the carpet in front of the safe?

When Hardwick went out to lunch, Hal watched him from the office window.
At the corner he saw the book-keeper joined by Dick Ferris, and the two
seemed to be in earnest conversation as they walked along.

When Hardwick came back Hal was given a half hour. The boy put on his
hat and coat and went out. He did not feel like eating, and he walked up
to the corner and around to the back street, intending to pay a visit to
the alley through which the robber was supposed to have escaped.

Just as he was about to turn into the narrow place, now piled high with
snow, somebody caught him by the shoulder. Turning, he found himself
confronted by Dick Ferris.

"Hullo, there!" said the tall boy.

"How are you?" returned Hal coldly.

"I hear you've got my place," went on Ferris.

"What if I have?" asked Hal, abruptly.

"I thought you were hanging around trying to do me out of it."

"I didn't try to do you out of it. Mr. Sumner asked me to call at his
office and I went. Then he offered me the place and I took it."

"Did he know you?"

"May I ask what business that is of yours?"

"Shut up, you little street tramp, you!" retorted Ferris. "Do you know
what I've a good mind to do?"

"I must admit I do not."

"Give you a mighty good thrashing."

"Two can play at that game," replied Hal, with a nervous little laugh.

"What, do you mean to say you can stand up against me?" demanded Ferris.
"Maybe you don't know I am an athlete."

"And perhaps you are not aware that I am perfectly able to take care of
myself," returned Hal.

"Take that!" cried Ferris.

He hauled off and aimed a wicked blow at the youth's nose. Had it struck
Hal it would have injured him considerably.

But the youth dodged; and the next instant Dick Ferris received a crack
fairly between the eyes that made him see stars, and caused him to
stagger up against the side of a building.

"What--what----" he gasped.

"That for attacking me," replied Hal. "Don't you try any such game
again."

"I'll fix you!" roared Ferri