"You were rather long," he said. "Were you detained?"

 

"I wish that was all, Mr. Turner," said Rufus, his face a little pale.

 

"What has happened?" asked the banker, quickly.

 

"The box was stolen from me as I was going upstairs to the office of Foster & Nevins."

 

"How did it happen? Tell me quickly."

 

"I had only gone up two or three steps when I heard a step behind me. Turning to see who it was, I was struck violently in the face, and fell forward. When I recovered, the man had disappeared, and the box was gone."

 

"Can I depend upon the absolute truth of this statement, Rufus?" asked Mr. Turner, looking in the boy's face searchingly.

 

"You can, sir," said Rufus, proudly.

 

"Can you give any idea of the appearance of the man who attacked you?"

 

"Yes, sir, I saw him for an instant before the blow was given, and recognized him."

 

"You recognized him!" repeated the banker, in surprise. "Who is he?"

 

Our hero's face flushed with mortification¹ as he answered, "His name is Martin. He is my step-father. He has only just returned from Blackwell's Island, where he served a term of three months for trying to pick a man's pocket."

 

"Have you met him often since he was released?" asked Mr. Turner.

 

"He attempted to follow me home one evening from the Academy of Music, but I dodged³ him. I didn't want him to know where I boarded, for fear he would carry off my little sister, as he did once before."

 

"Did he know you were in my employ?"

 

"Yes, sir; I met him day before yesterday as I was coming home from the post-office, and he followed me to the office. He showed me a roll of bills, and said he was getting a hundred dollars a month."

 

"Now tell me what you did when you discovered that you had been robbed."

 

"I searched about for Martin with a policeman, but couldn't find him anywhere. Then I thought I had better come right back to the office, and tell you about it. I hope you don't think I was very much to blame, Mr. Turner."

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