s
in Chicago?"

"I was told so by your sister."

"Have you been in Peoria, then?" asked Harding, in great surprise.

"Yes; I was there last week."

"But how did you find out that I had a sister?"

"At Harrisburg. You left a letter from your sister at your
boarding-house there, which gave me the clew I wanted."

"And how did you trace me to Harrisburg?"

Bert explained.

"And you defrayed your own expenses? I thought you and your mother were
left in poverty."

"So we were; but an uncle of my mother's recently returned from
California, and it is he who has supplied me with the funds needed for
my journey."

"Then he is wealthy?"

"I don't think so. He is employed in New York on a small salary, but he
is liberal with the little he has. He has set his heart on clearing my
father's reputation. It is he who sent me on my present mission."

"Does your father think that Albert Marlowe is the real thief?"

"He does. In fact, he is firmly convinced of it. Now, Mr. Harding, I
have told you why I wanted to find you. You have as much as told me I am
right in my suspicion. You are partly responsible for my poor father's
undeserved sufferings. But for you he would never have been charged with
the crime. Is it not so?"

"I admit it," Ralph Harding answered, slowly.

"Will you tell me who put the bond into my father's pocket?"

"I did."

"And who prompted you to do it?"

"It was the man you suspected--Albert Marlowe."

"It was the proceeds of his theft that enabled him to start in business,
was it not?"

"You are right."

"I have one more question to ask. Will you accompany me to New York and
testify to this, if needful?"

"But what will happen to me?" asked Harding, troubled.

"My uncle bade me promise you that we will do our utmost to prevent your
coming to harm. As to Albert Marlowe, we shall demand a confession from
him, or we shall have him arrested, and the whole matter investigated."

Ralph Harding paused for a brief space, and then said: "What are your
plans if I agree to help you?"

"To start for New York to-night," answered Bert, promptly. "In New York
I will take you to Uncle Jacob's office, and we will decide what to do
next."

Harding hesitated a moment, then said: "I believe you will keep your
promise, and I will put myself in your hands. I always liked your father
better than Albert Marlowe, who is a very selfish man, and he has not
kept his promise to me. I have reproached myself more