CHAPTER XXV.
HAL'S ESCAPE FROM HARDWICK.
Hal could not help but shrink back as Hardwick advanced.
"Did you hear what I said?" demanded the man, after a second of silence.
"I did," replied Hal, in a disguised voice. He did not know whether ornot Hardwick had discovered his real identity, and he intended to run norisk in the matter.
"Then answer me."
"Supposing I refuse to do so?"
"It won't help you," fumed Hardwick. "I know perfectly well who youare."
"You do?" cried Hal, and he was taken aback by the ex-book-keeper'swords.
"Exactly. You are one of those mighty smart detectives old Sumner hasemployed to shadow me."
Hal could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. His identity was stilla secret.
"Ain't I right?" went on Hardwick, seeing the youth did not reply.
"I decline to answer," replied Hal, firmly.
"Oh, you do?" sneered Hardwick.
"I do."
"Then you understand I've got you in a corner."
"I understand nothing of the sort."
"Supposing I should pull out my pistol?"
"You won't dare to do so."
"And pray why? How do I know but what you are not a footpad?" criedHardwick, getting angry at Hal's apparent coolness.
"Because a shot might bring others to the spot," said the youth,bravely.
"No one is around."
"You forget that in New York detectives often travel in pairs."
It was a random remark, but it told. Hardwick turned pale, and shifteduneasily.
"You're a cool customer," he said, eyeing Hal sharply.
"Detectives have to be cool."
"You won't gain anything by following me."
"I haven't said that I was following you."
"But you have admitted that you are a detective, and that amounts to thesame thing."
"Perhaps it does and perhaps it doesn't."
As Hal spoke, he looked around for Dick Ferris. The tall youth wasnowhere to be seen.
"What are you looking for?"
"That's my business."
"Come, don't get cheeky."
"Then don't question me."
Hardwick's eyes flashed fire. A dark look of hatred came into his face,and he made a spring forward.
"I'll teach you a lesson," he hissed.
"Stand back!" cried Hal. "Stand back, or take the consequence!"
Hardly had Hal spoken the words when a sudden shadow caused him toglance upward.
It was well that he did so.
On a large pile of lumber stood Dick Ferris, and in his hands he held aheavy beam, which he was just on the point of letting fall upon Hal'shead.
The boy had barely time enough to spring to one side when with a boomthe beam came down and buried itself in the snow.
"You mean coward!" cried the youth. "Wait till I catch you!"
He made a dash to the side of the pile, which was arranged like steps,intending to mount to where Ferris stood.
As he did so, Hardwick shouted something to the tall boy, and thenleaped the fence of the lumber-yard, and ran out on the side street.
Ferris could not see Hal now, but he understood what Hardwick said, andas Hal mounted to the top of the pile the tall boy got down and lethimself drop off the edge.
He landed in the deep snow, and was not hurt in the least. Before Halcould discover his flight, he was over the fence and on his way to joinHardwick.
It took Hal but a minute to learn of the direction the two escapingevil-doers had taken, and then he made after them with all possiblespeed.
But the pursuit was a useless one, and at the end of several blocks Halgave it up, and dropped into a walk.
What was best to do next? Hal revolved the question in his mind a numberof times, and then, without wasting time, made his way back to thecostumer's establishment.
"I wish my disguise changed," he said.
"What, already?" said the proprietor, in astonishment.
"Yes, something has happened since I was here, and now I wish you to fixme up differently."
"But the same sort of a character?"
"Yes."
"Then supposing I give you a different colored mustache and a beard forthose side whiskers?"
"That will do, if you will also change this suit and overcoat."
"Certainly."
The exchange was quickly made, and, looking like an entirely differentperson, Hal left the costumer's and hurried down to Wall Street.
Making sure that no one but the new book-keeper and Mr. Sumner wereabout the place, he entered.
"That's a splendid disguise," said the old broker, when the two werealone.
"It's the second I've had to-day," said Hal.
"The second?"
"Yes. Since I saw you last I've had quite a few adventures."
"Of what nature, Hal? I trust you had no more trouble?"
"It didn't amount to much."
And, sitting down, Hal related all that had occurred.
"Dick Ferris must be a very wicked boy," remarked the broker, when Halhad finished. "But about these slips that he is going to have printed.Are you positive Mr. Allen gave them to him?"
"No, sir. But I think he did. He gave Ferris something and some money,and Ferris lost no time in getting to the printing establishment."
"Humph!" Mr. Sumner mused for a moment. "I can hardly believe it, eventhough the evidence seems plain enough."
"What are the slips?" asked Hal, with considerable curiosity.
"They are of the kind which we use in our daily business. Since Mr.Allen and myself agreed to end our limited partnership, I have kept theregular slips in my safe. Formerly they were in Hardwick's charge, whereboth of us could have easy access to them, but now--well, to be plain, Iallow no business to be conducted unless under my supervision."
"And that is right, Mr. Sumner."
"Now, if Mr. Allen is really having these extra slips printed, it wouldseem as if he--he----"
"Intended to make use of them without consulting you," finished Hal,bluntly.
"Yes."
"He is none too good for that, sir. But wasn't he here this morning?"
"Yes. We had a very stormy interview. He is angry because I dischargedHardwick, and would not believe me when I said Hardwick was adefaulter."
"That's part of his plan."
"You may be right, Hal. You are a wonderful boy. As I was saying, we hada stormy interview, and I doubt if he spends a great deal of time hereduring the remaining days of our partnership."
"The partnership ends on New Year's day, doesn't it?"
"That was the day set, but by mutual agreement we have made the date thetwentieth of December."
"Why, that is day after to-morrow."
"Yes."
"The day the slips are to be finished."
"So it is."
"No wonder Ferris wished them as soon as possible."
Horace Sumner arose, and walked up and down the office.
"If there is to be any crooked work in the matter of the slips, I willtake good care to head it off. I might be swindled out of thousands ofdollars in that way."
"You will look over the genuine slips, I suppose?"
"I will, in the presence of the new book-keeper and another witness.There shall be no under-handed work in the matter. I believe you arealtogether right, Hal. I have been surrounded by villains, and theywould pluck me to the end if I but gave them the chance."
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