"I am."

"They could not have been the ones that robbed the post office, and got
angry because you put the authorities on their track?"

"No sir; I don't believe they had anything to do with that affair."

"It couldn't be that Percy Paget set them up to it?"

"I don't believe he would go as far as that--not when our quarrel was no
worse than it was."

"I believe you there. Yet there must be some reason," insisted Horace
Kelsey. "Men do not attempt to take life for the mere fun of it."

"I believe you there, sir."

"The thing is--what could they profit by if you were out of the way?"

"I don't know."

"Could they claim that property, the papers of which are missing?"

"No sir; the property belongs to my mother--at least I think it does."

"Your father might have willed it to you."

"In that case my mother would have told me of it."

"You should have gone back to Westville at once and made a search. Your
mother will be worried over your absence."

"I have already written to her, telling her all. I don't see the use of
going back just now. Those men have most likely skipped out."

"That is true."

"And now I had come to New York, I thought I would take a look around
before I went back. I may not get the chance again. Besides, I only had a
job on the lakes running the pleasure sloop, and I would like to strike
something better if it's to be had."

"I see," Horace Kelsey smiled. "Well, I promised to do what I could, and I
won't disappoint you. I will give you employment here in my office unless
you can strike something better."

"Thank you. I would prefer to work for you."

"I need another clerk for a new line of work, and I fancy you would just
suit. But you would have to remain in New York. How would your mother like
that?"

"She would miss me, sir, but if the job paid I could send for her to come
on, and rent the place in Westville."

"Then you can consider yourself engaged whenever you are ready to come to
work. And, by the way," Horace Kelsey went on, hurriedly, as there came a
knock on the door, "there is a gentleman I must see on business. Come in at
one o'clock again, will you?"

"Yes, sir," replied Ralph, and not to detain the gentleman longer, he bowed
himself out, well pleased over the sudden turn his fortunes had taken.

Could the boy have seen what was at that time occurring at Westville, he
would not have been so contented, but would instead have taken the first
train homeward.