"I'm a little late this morning, Mr. Talbot," said Dan.
"Oh, well, you can be excused for once," said Talbot.
He wished to disarm1 suspicion by extra good humor. Besides, he intended to send Dan to the bank presently for a heavy sum, and thought it best to be on friendly terms with him.
About ten o'clock a messenger entered the store with a note from Mr. Rogers to the book-keeper. It was to this effect:
"I am feeling rather out of sorts this morning, and shall not come to the store. Should you desire to consult me on any subject, send a messenger to my house."
Talbot read this note with great satisfaction. The[Pg 159] only obstacle to carrying out his plans was the apprehended2 presence and vigilance of his employer. Now he had a clear field.
About one o'clock he called Dan into the office.
"Here, Dan," he said, "I want you to go to the bank at once."
"Yes, sir."
"Here is a check for twelve thousand dollars—rather a heavy amount—and you must be very careful not to lose any of it, or to let any one see that you have so much with you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir. In what denominations3 shall I get the money?"
"You may get one hundred dollars in fives and tens, and the remainder in large bills."
"All right, sir."
"He means to make a big haul," said Dan to himself, as he left the store. "I hope our plans won't miscarry. I wouldn't like Mr. Rogers to lose so large a sum."
As Dan left the store a man of middle size, who was lounging against a lamp-post, eyed him sharply. As Dan was turning the corner of the street he left his post, and, walking rapidly, overtook him.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"What is that to you?" demanded Dan.
[Pg 160]
"You are in the employ of Barton & Rogers, are you not?"
"Yes, sir."
"Is your name Dan?"
"Yes, sir."
"I am a detective, on watch here by order of Mr. Rogers. Now will you answer my question?"
"Certainly. I am going to the bank."
"To draw money?"
"Yes, sir."
"How much?"
"Twelve thousand dollars."
"Whew! That is a big sum. Who sent you?"
"Mr. Talbot."
"He is the book-keeper, is he not?"
"Yes, sir."
"I will walk along with you. There is no need of watching till you bring back the money. Where do you think Talbot will put the money?"
"In the safe, I think, sir."
"I am not sure of that. I believe he will retain the greater part on his own person. If the men who are to rob the safe got hold of all the money they would be likely to keep it, and not limit themselves to the sum he agrees to pay them."
[Pg 161]
"I shall take care to keep Talbot in view. He doesn't propose to run away. He means to have it understood that all this money has been taken by the burglars, whereas but a tithe5 of the sum will be deposited in the safe."
"It seems to me there is a risk of losing the money," he said.
The detective smiled.
"Don't be afraid," he said, confidentially7. "Talbot won't leave the city. I will take care of that."
His words inspired confidence, and Dan entered the bank without misgivings8.
The check was so large that the bank officials scrutinized9 it carefully. There was no doubt about its being correct, however.
"How will you have it?" was asked.
Dan answered as he had been directed.
"Be very careful, young man," said the disbursing10 clerk. "You've got too much to lose."
"All right, sir."
Dan deposited one roll of bills in the left inside pocket of his coat, and the balance in the right pocket, and then buttoned up the coat.
"I'm a boy of fortune for a short time," he said to[Pg 162] himself. "I hope the time will come when I shall have as much money of my own."
Dan observed that the detective followed him at a little distance, and it gave him a feeling of security. Some one might have seen the large sum of money paid him, and instances had been known where boys in such circumstances had suddenly been set upon in the open street at midday and robbed. He felt that he had a friend near at hand who would interfere11 in such a case.
"Half-past one."
"Look at your watch."
"I don't carry one," said Dan, eying the questioner suspiciously.
"Nor I. I have been very unfortunate. Can't you give me a quarter to buy me some dinner?"
"Ask some one else; I'm in a hurry," said Dan, coldly.
The man went away muttering.
"I'm not as green as you take me for," said Dan to himself.
He thought his danger was over, but he was mistaken.
Suddenly a large man, with red hair and beard,[Pg 163] emerging from Dan knew not where, laid his hand on his shoulder.
Dan turned in surprise.
"Boy," said he, in a fierce undertone, "give me that money you have in your coat-pocket, or I will brain you."
"You forget we are in the public street," said Dan.
"No, I don't."
"You would be arrested."
"And you would be—stunned, perhaps killed!" hissed13 the man. "Look here, boy, I am a desperate man. I know how much money you have with you. Give me half, and go."
Dan looked out of the corner of his eye, to see the detective close at hand. This gave him courage, for he recognized that the villain14 was only speaking the truth, and he did not wish to run any unnecessary risk. He gave a nod, which brought the detective nearer, and then slipped to one side, calling:
"Stop thief!"
The ruffian made a dash for him, his face distorted with rage, but his arm was grasped as by an iron vise.
"Not so fast, Jack15 Benton!" exclaimed the detective, and he signaled to a policeman. "You are up to your old tricks again, as I expected."
"Who are you?" demanded Jack, angrily.
"A detective."
[Pg 164]
"That isn't your fault. I heard you threatening the boy, unless he gave up the money in his possession. Take him away, officer. I will appear against him."
"Thank you, sir," said Dan, gratefully.
"All right. Go on as quickly as possible. I will keep you in view."
All this took a little time.
Talbot, whose conscience was uneasy, and with good cause, awaited Dan's arrival very anxiously.
"What made you so long?" he asked.
"A man tried to rob me."
"Did he succeed?" asked Talbot, quickly.
"No; he was recognized by a policeman, who arrested him as he was on the point of attacking me."
Talbot asked no further questions, considerably17 to Dan's relief, for he did not wish to mention the detective if it could be avoided.
"You can't be too careful when you have much money about you. I am almost sorry I sent for this money," he proceeded. "I don't think I shall need to use it to-day."
[Pg 165]
"Shall I take it back to the bank, sir?" asked Dan.
"No; I shall put it in the safe over night. I don't care to risk you or the money again to-day."
"That's a blind," thought Dan. "He won't put it in the safe."
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收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
disarm
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| v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和 | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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3
denominations
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| n.宗派( denomination的名词复数 )；教派；面额；名称 | |
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4
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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tithe
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| n.十分之一税；v.课什一税，缴什一税 | |
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6
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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7
confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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8
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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9
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
disbursing
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| v.支出，付出( disburse的现在分词 ) | |
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11
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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12
accosting
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的现在分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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13
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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14
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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15
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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16
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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17
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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18
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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19
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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