you took from the secretary, and I will see that you are not arrested.”
“But, sir, I didn’t take nothing—it’s just as I told the old duffer. The girl waked up just as I’d got the secretary open, and I didn’t have a chance.”
“But the money is gone,” said Curtis, in an incredulous tone.
“I don’t know nothing about that.”
“Come, you’d better examine your pockets. In the hurry of the moment you may have taken it without knowing it.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“Didn’t you take a paper of any kind?” asked Curtis, eagerly. “Sometimes papers are of more value than money.”
“No, I didn’t take no paper, though Tim told me to.”
Curtis quietly ignored the allusion to Tim, for it did not suit his purpose to get Tim into trouble. His unscrupulous agent knew too much that would compromise his principal.
“Are you willing that I should examine you?”
“Yes, I am. Go ahead.”
Curtis thrust his hand into the pockets of the boy, who, boy as he was, was as tall as himself, but was not repaid by the discovery of anything. He was very much perplexed.
“Didn’t you throw the articles on the floor?” he demanded, suspiciously.
“No, I didn’t.”
“You didn’t give them to the young lady?”
“No; if I had she’d have said so.”
“Humph! this is strange. What is your name?”
“Dodger.”
“That’s a queer name; have you no other?”
“Not as I know of.”
“With whom do you live?”
“With my father. Leastways, he says he’s my father.”
There was a growing suspicion in the mind of Curtis Waring. He scanned the boy’s features with attention. Could this ill-dressed boy—a street boy in appearance—be his long-lost and deeply wronged cousin?
“Who is it that says he is your father?” he demanded, abruptly.
“Do you want to get him into trouble?”
“No, I don’t want to get him into trouble, or you either. Better tell me all, and I will be your friend.”
“You’re a better sort than I thought at first,” said Dodger. “The man I live with is called Tim Bolton.”
“I though so,” quickly ejaculated Curtis. He had scarcely got out the words before he was sensible that he had made a mistake.
“What! do you know Tim?” inquired Dodger, in surprise.
“I mean,” replied Curtis, lamely, “that I have heard of this man Bolton. He keeps a saloon on the Bowery, doesn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you would be living with some such man. Did he come to the house with you tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
“He stayed outside.”
“Perhaps he is there now.”
“Don’t you go to having him arrested,” said Dodger, suspiciously.
“I will keep my promise. Are you sure you didn’t pass out the paper and the money to him? Think now.”
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t have a chance. When I came into the room yonder I saw the gal asleep, and I thought she wouldn’t hear me, but when I got the desk open she spoke to me, and asked me what I was doin’.”
“And you took nothing?”
“No.”
“It seems very strange. I cannot understand it. Yet my uncle says the money is gone. Did anyone else enter the room while you were talking with Miss Linden?”
“I didn’t see any one.”
“What were you talking about?”
“She said the old man wanted her to marry you, and she didn’t want to.”
“She told you that?” exclaimed Curtis, in displeasure.
“Yes, she did. She said she’d rather marry the dude that was here early this evenin’.”
“Mr. de Brabazon!”
“Yes, that’s the name.”
“Upon my word, she was very confidential. You are a queer person for her to select as a confidant.”
“Maybe so, sir; but she knows I’m her friend.”
“You like the young lady, then? Perhaps you would like to marry her yourself?”
“As if she’d take any notice of a poor boy like me. I told her if her uncle sent her away, I’d take care of her and be a brother to her.”
“How would Mr. Tim Bolton—that’s his name, isn’t it?—like that?”
“I wouldn’t take her to where he lives.”
“I think, myself, it would hardly be a suitable home for a young lady brought up on Madison Avenue. There is certainly no accounting for tastes. Miss Florence–”
“That’s her name, is it?”
“Yes; didn’t she tell you?”
“No; but it’s a nice name.”
“She declines my hand, and accepts your protection. It will certainly be a proud distinction to become Mrs. Dodger.”
“Don’t laugh at her!” said Dodger, suspiciously.
“I don’t propose to. But I think we may as well return to the library.”
“Well,” said Mr. Linden, as his nephew returned with Dodger.
“I have examined the boy, and found nothing on his person,” said Curtis; “I confess I am puzzled. He appears to have a high admiration for Florence–”
“As I supposed.”
“She has even confided to him her dislike for me, and he has offered her his protection.”
“Is this so, miss?” demanded Mr. Linden, sternly.
“Yes, uncle,” faltered Florence.
“Then you can join the young person you have selected whenever you please. For your sake I will not have him arrested for attempted burglary. He is welcome to what he has taken, since he is likely to marry into the family. You may stay here to-night, and he can call for you in the morning.”
John Linden closed the secretary, and left the room, leaving Florence sobbing. The servants, too, retired, and Curtis was left alone with her.
“Florence,” he said, “accept my hand, and I will reconcile my uncle to you. Say but the word, and–”
“I can never speak it, Curtis! I will take my uncle at his word. Dodger, call for me to-morrow at eight, and I will accept your friendly services in finding me a new home.”
“I’ll be on hand, miss. Good-night!”
“Be it so, obstinate girl!” said Curtis, angrily. “The time will come when you will bitterly repent your mad decision.”
CHAPTER VII.
FLORENCE LEAVES HOME
Florence passed a sleepless night. It had come upon her so suddenly, this expulsion from the home of her childhood, that she could not fully realize it. She could not feel that she was taking her last look at the familiar room, and well-remembered dining-room, where she had sat down for the last time for breakfast. She was alone at the breakfast table, for the usual hour