"
He snatched up his bag and was marching off, when the door opened, and
Monckton with a detective confronted him.
"No," roared Bartley, furious in turn; "but you will stay to be
examined."
"Examined!"
"Searched, then, if you like it better."
"No, don't do that," said the young fellow. "Spare me such a
humiliation."
Bartley, who was avaricious, but not cruel, hesitated.
"Well," said he, "I will examine the safe before I go further."
Mr. Bartley opened the safe and took out the cash-box. It was empty. He
uttered a loud exclamation. "Why, it's a clean sweep! A wholesale
robbery! Notes and gold all gone! No wonder you were in such a hurry to
leave! Luckily some of the notes were numbered. Search him."
"No, no. Don't treat me like a thief!" cried the poor boy, almost
sobbing.
"If you are innocent, why object?" said Monckton, satirically.
"You villain," cried Clifford, "this is your doing! I am sure of it!"
Monckton only grinned triumphantly; but Bartley fired up. "If there is a
villain here, it is you.
Pages:
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67