Part 24 (1/2)
Ernest turned pale. His worst fears were confirmed.
”Why do you ask?” he said.
”Because I want to know.”
”What business can it be of yours?” demanded Ernest, boldly.
”Don't be impudent, boy! Hand me the package of money.”
”I have no package of money.”
”Then you have bonds.”
Ernest remained silent.
”I see that I have hit it. Now hand over the bonds, if you value your life.”
He spoke sternly, and looked so fierce that the boy messenger became more and more alarmed. He saw that he must give up the package, but determined to hold out in his resistance as long as possible.
”The package is not mine, and I have no right to surrender it,” he said.
”I'll take the responsibility, boy. You can't be blamed, for you can't help your self.”
As he spoke, he pa.s.sed his hand over Ernest's vest, which he saw projected more than was usual, and discovered the hiding-place of the important package.
Instantly he had torn open the vest and drawn out the envelope.
”I thought I should find it,” he said in a tone of triumph.
Ernest felt very much dejected. It was a mortification to lose the first large sum with which he had been intrusted.
”Will you tell me who you are?” he asked abruptly.
”First, let me know who you think I am.”
As the driver spoke he eyed Ernest sharply. ”Is your name Fox?” asked the young messenger.
His companion laughed.
”I know Mr. Fox,” he answered.
”You are either Fox or a member of his band.”
”You seem to be a sharp boy; I won't tell you whether you are right or not.”
”I suppose I may go now.”
”Where do you want to go?”