“Since he knows that you have escaped, he is probably on your track,” said Mrs. Parker. “It will be hardly safe for you to go to Mr. Wharton’s.”
“Why?”
“He will probably think you likely to go there, and be lying in wait somewhere about.”
“But I must go to Mr. Wharton,” said Frank. “I must tell him this story.”
“It will be safer to write.”
“The housekeeper, Mrs. Bradley, or John Wade, will get hold of the letter and suppress it. I don’t want to put them on their guard.”
“You are right. It is necessary to be cautious.”
“You see I am obliged to call on my grandfather, that is, on Mr. Wharton.”
“I can think of a better plan.”
“What is it?”
“Go to a respectable lawyer. Tell him your story, and place your case in his hands. He will write to your grandfather, inviting him to call at his office on business of importance, without letting him know what is the nature of it. You and I can be there to meet him, and tell our story. In this way John Wade will know nothing, and learn nothing, of your movements.”
“That is good advice, Mrs. Parker, but there is one thing you have not thought of,” said our hero.
“What is that?”
“Lawyers charge a great deal for their services, and I have no money.”
“You have what is as good a recommendation–a good case. The lawyer will see at once that if not at present rich, you stand a good chance of obtaining a position which will make you so. Besides, your grandfather will be willing, if he admits your claim, to recompense the lawyer handsomely.”
“I did not think of that. I will do as you advise to-morrow.”
CHAPTER XXI
JOHN WADE’S DISAPPOINTMENT
Mr. Wharton sat at dinner with his nephew and the housekeeper. He had been at home for some time, and of course on his arrival had been greeted with the news of our hero’s perfidy. But, to the indignation of Mrs. Bradley and John, he was obstinately incredulous.
“There is some mistake, I am sure,” he said. “Such a boy as Frank is incapable of stealing. You may be mistaken after all, John. Why did you not let him stay till I got back? I should like to have examined him myself.”
“I was so angry with him for repaying your kindness in such a way that I instantly ordered him out of the house.”
“I blame you, John, for your haste,” said his uncle. “It was not just to the boy.”
“I acted for the best, sir,” he forced himself to say in a subdued tone.
“Young people are apt to be impetuous, and I excuse you; but you should have waited for my return. I will call at Gilbert & Mack’s, and inquire of Frank himself what explanation he has to give.”
“Of course, sir, you will do what you think proper,” said his nephew.
This ended the conversation, and Mr. Wharton, according to his declared intention, went to Gilbert & Mack’s. He returned disappointed with the information that our hero was no longer in the store.
I now return to Mr. Wharton at dinner.
“Here is a letter for you, sir,” said the housekeeper. “It was brought by the postman this afternoon.”
Mr. Wharton adjusted his spectacles and read as follows:
“No.– Wall Street.
“Dear Sir: Will you have the kindness to call at my office to-morrow morning at eleven o’clock, if it suits your convenience? I have an important communication to make to you, which will, I think be of an agreeable character. Should the time named not suit you, will you have the kindness to name your own time?
“Yours respectfully,
“MORRIS HALL.”
“Read that, John,” said his uncle, passing him the letter.
“Morris Hall is a lawyer, I believe, sir,” said John.
“Have you any idea of the nature of the communication he desires to make?”
“No idea at all.”
“If it would relieve you, sir, I will go in your place,” said John, whose curiosity was aroused.
“Thank you, John, but this is evidently a personal matter. I shall go down there to-morrow at the appointed time.”