CHAPTER XIII
A SWINDLE EXPOSED
When Nat came back from lunch he was introduced to Harry Bray, andHamilton Dart brought forth several packages of old bills and lettersand also a couple of cheap blank books.
"I want these things sorted out," said he. "Enter all names in thebooks, and file them away according to date."
This seemed easy work, and both of the young clerks said they understoodwhat was wanted. Then Hamilton Dart put on his hat and left the office.
"I won't be back this afternoon," he said. "Lock up at five o'clock, andyou, Bray, can take the key."
"Yes, sir," answered Harry Bray.
"This isn't very hard," was Nat's comment, when he was left alone withhis fellow clerk.
"It is about as easy a job as I ever struck," answered Harry Bray.
"It's queer there are no customers coming in," said Nat, an hour later."Mr. Dart must do most of his business outside."
"A good many brokers do, Nat. They have to hustle for business or theydon't get any."
The afternoon passed, and at the proper time Nat left the office andwent home.
"You've certainly struck a soft snap," said Dick, when the country boyhad related his experience. "Wish I could strike a snap like that."
"Perhaps you will some day," answered Nat. "Come, I'll give you a lessonin writing and figures to-night," and he did. Dick was a bright scholar,so it proved a pleasure more than a task to teach him.
Promptly on time the following morning, Nat went to the office. At thedoor he met Harry Bray, who had just come in from his home on StatenIsland. They opened up the office together, one doing the sweeping andthe other the dusting.
"In most places like this, the office boy or the janitor does suchwork," said Harry.
"I don't mind it in the least," answered Nat.
"Oh, neither do I."
They began on their work where they had left off, and about an hourlater their employer put in an appearance.
"Hard at it, eh?" he said, cheerily. "That's the way I like to seethings move. Nat, I want you to go to the post office again."
"Yes, sir."
In a few minutes our hero had departed, and then Hamilton Dart turned toHarry Bray.
"Bray, here is an important document to deliver to a party living nearCentral Park," said he. "Deliver it, and get a receipt."
"I will, sir," answered Harry Bray, and in a minute more he, too, wasgone.
An hour later there was a knock on the door, and the sick man, who hadcalled the day before, came in.
"Is that situation still open?" he questioned, anxiously.
"Why do you ask?" demanded Hamilton Dart, abruptly.
"I was going to say that I borrowed that money from my sister."
"Oh! Have you it with you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then, if you wish the job, you can take it right now. Another man iscoming to see me about it in an hour."
"I'll take the job," said Oliver Ripple, quickly, and brought forth hismoney. Hamilton Dart took it, and gave his usual receipt.
"What interest do I get on this?" asked the new clerk, anxiously.
"Six per cent."
"Thank you. I told my sister I thought as much. She had the money in thebank, but that only paid her three per cent. Six per cent. will be twiceas good."
"You may come to work to-morrow morning at nine," said Hamilton Dart.
"I'll go to work to-day, if you say so, Mr. Dart."
"No, my other clerks can take care of the work to-day. Both of them arenow out on errands."
When Oliver Ripple was gone, Hamilton Dart smiled broadly to himself.
"Three of them," he murmured. "That's not so bad, after all. I wonder ifthat chap who was to come at half-past ten will show up?"
When Nat left the post office he found no letters for Samuel Barrows.
"Mr. Dart will be disappointed again," he thought. "But it is not myfault."
The afternoon passed quietly. Only one man called at the office, andwhen he found Hamilton Dart was not in he disappeared immediately.
That evening Nat gave Dick another lesson, for which the newsboy wasvery grateful.
"No wonder you got that job," said Dick. "You can figure like lightning,and write fine, too."
"I don't have to figure much at the office."
"How do you like your boss?"
"I haven't really seen enough of him to make up my mind."
"He must be full of business."
"I suppose that is so."
When Nat went to the office on the following day he again met Harry Brayat the entrance. They went upstairs together, and found two men standingin the hallway, near the door of the office. As soon as they entered theplace the men followed them.
"Neither of these young chaps is the man," said one of the newcomers, ina low voice.
"Where is Mr. Hamilton Dart?" asked the other.
"I can't say, sir," answered Harry Bray. "He may be here shortly."
"Are you a partner in this concern?"
"No, sir. I am a clerk."
"Are you a clerk, too?" asked the man, turning to Nat.
"Yes, sir. Is there anything we can do for you?"
"Don't know as there is, young man," was the short answer. "We'll waithere for Mr. Dart."
A half-hour passed and Oliver Ripple put in an appearance.
"Where is Mr. Dart?" he asked, gazing around.
"He is not here yet," answered Nat.
"I am his new clerk. He engaged me yesterday, and told me to come towork this morning."
At this speech the two men who had come in gazed at the sick mancuriously.
"So you were engaged yesterday?" asked one in a low tone.
"Yes."
"Excuse me, but I'd like to know if you put up any money as security?"
"I did--a hundred dollars."
"Ah!" And each of the two men looked at his companion significantly.
"Do you know Mr. Dart?" asked the sick man.
"We know of him."
"He does quite a business, doesn't he?"
"He does--in his own way," was the suggestive answer.
At that moment came a tramping on the stairs. Then the office door wasthrown open, and Hamilton Dart appeared.
"There he is!" cried one of the men. "Just as I thought!"
He started for the doorway, but Hamilton Dart was too quick for him. Hebacked away, leaped for the stairs, and went down flight after flight,four and five steps at a time. Both men gave chase, but by the time theyreached the sidewalk the swindler had disappeared.
"Hullo! what can this mean?" cried Nat, in quick alarm. "I must say Idon't like this."
"Those men are after Mr. Dart," came from Harry Bray.
"You mind the office--I'll see what is up," went on Nat, and followeddown the stairs.
"He is gone, Parsons," said one of the men.
"You are sure it was our man?"
"Yes, confound the luck. He got away like a slippery eel."
"Did Mr. Dart run away from you?" asked Nat.
"That's what he did, young man."
"What did he run for?"
"Perhaps you know as well as I do."
"No, I don't."
"How long have you worked for that man?"
"Only a few days."
"What about that other chap upstairs?"
"He came to work about the time I did."
"And that pale-looking man, too?"
"I don't know any more about him than you do."
"Did you place any money in your employer's hands?"
"Yes, a hundred dollars. And Harry Bray, the other clerk, put up thesame amount."
"Humph! I reckon you've seen the last of your cash."
"What!" cried Nat, aghast. "Do you mean that?"
"I sure do."
"But--but----" Our hero was so staggered he could not continue for themoment.
"This Hamilton Dart--or whatever he calls himself--is a first-classswindler.
"
"A swindler!" Nat fell up against the doorway. "I--I--then my money isgone?"
"More than likely."
"Oh, what a fool I've been! And I thought he was such a gentleman."
"He has fooled lots of folks besides you, young man," said one of themen, kindly, for he saw that Nat was hard hit.
"He isn't a business man at all?"
"He is a confidence man from Chicago."
By this time, feeling certain something was wrong, Harry Bray andOliver Ripple came below.
"What do you mean by confidence man?" asked Nat, doubtfully.
"He is a swindler; one of the kind that can tell a good story in orderto get your money."
"Who is a swindler?" demanded Harry Bray.
"Our employer," cried Nat. "He has run away with our money."
"Has Mr. Dart run away?" asked the sick man, nervously.
"Yes."
"Oh! And to think I borrowed that money from my poor sister!" came witha cry of anguish, and then the sick man sank on the hallway stairs,thoroughly overcome.
From Farm to Fortune; or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience Page 14