CHAPTER XVIII. HARRY'S COMMISSION
It may be well imagined that Harry was in a thrill of excitement as hewalked home. He had just witnessed what was undoubtedly an attempt toconceal the proceeds of a burglary. He, and he alone, outside of theguilty parties, knew where the booty was deposited, and he asked himselfwhat was his duty under the circumstances.
Of course he had no sympathy with Temple and Vernon. They had madethemselves the enemies of society, and he was in duty bound to defeattheir criminal plans, if possible, and restore the property to its legalowner or owners.
Here a difficulty stared him in the face. He didn't know to whom the tinbox and its contents belonged, for not a word had been dropped by thetwo thieves which could inform him. They had made up their minds, however, to wait till a reward should be offered, and then come forwardand claim it, or, at any rate, open negotiations through others lookingto that result.
Why could not Harry learn, in like manner, who had been robbed, andcommunicate with them? This seemed to him the most sensible course.
Here, again, there was another difficulty. In the little country villagehe was not in a position to see any such notice, for they took no dailypaper, and, though Mr. Mead did, his inquiry for it would excitecuriosity and lead to questionings. It seemed necessary for him to go toNew York.
"Shall I tell mother, or not?" he asked himself.
On the whole, he thought it better not to do so. So far as he wasconcerned, his mother was timid, and she would be anxious lest he shouldincur the hostility of the two lawless men of whose crime he had comeinto the knowledge. Yet he wanted to consult somebody, for he felt thatthe matter was one of no little importance, and that he needed a man'scounsel.
"I'll speak to Uncle Obed about it," he said to himself. "He isn't usedto cities, to be sure, but he has had a long life, and must haveconsiderable experience. At any rate, he will be better qualified than Ito know what ought to be done."
He had scarcely come to this conclusion before he reached the cottage.
His mother, with a troubled expression of countenance, was sitting atthe table, not sewing or mending, as usual, but with her hands claspedin her lap, while near her sat Uncle Obed, also looking sober.
"I am sure something has happened to Harry," she had just been saying.
"I never knew him to stay out so long without telling me."
"Boys will be boys," answered the old man, not knowing what else to say.
"He's gone off on some lark with some of his playmates."
"But he never does that without telling me, Mr. Wilkins. He's always soconsiderate."
"He'll be coming home safe and sound, depend upon it," said Uncle Obed, with a confidence greater than he actually felt.
"Perhaps he has fallen from a tree – he was always fond of climbing – andbroken his leg," suggested Mrs. Gilbert, dolefully.
"He's too smart for that," said Uncle Obed.
"What should I do if he never came home?" exclaimed the poor woman, witha shudder.
Mr. Wilkins was hardly prepared to answer this question, and, luckily, it was not necessary, for just then the latch was lifted and Harrywalked in.
"Didn't I tell you so?" said Uncle Obed, triumphantly.
"Oh, Harry, I'm so glad to see you! Where have you been so long?"
"It's lucky you came just as you did," said Mr. Wilkins. "Your motherhad made up her mind that you had met with an accident."
"I wanted to come home, but I couldn't," answered Harry. "I was in thewoods."
"Lost your way?" asked Uncle Obed.
"Not exactly. Two boys played a trick upon me."
Of course Harry had to explain what sort of a trick it was. Mrs. Gilbertwas very indignant, and denounced Philip and his confederate in nosparing terms.
"You ought to go and complain to Colonel Ross," she said. "Philip oughtnot to be allowed to do such things."
Harry smiled. He had no idea of following this advice. It would havebeen an acknowledgment of weakness, and he felt able to defend himselfagainst Philip Ross and his machinations.
"Mother," he said, "I've got very particular reasons for not doing this, and for not even mentioning that I was in the wood. Now, I want you topromise me not to say a word about it, for a week at least."
"But if I see Philip," said his mother, "I can't keep silent."
"You must, for my sake, mother. You don't know how much depends uponit."
"I don't understand," said Mrs. Gilbert, thoroughly bewildered.
"No, I suppose not; but I have a strong reason that I can't mention justyet."
"I hope there's nothing wrong going on," said his mother, alarmed.
"If there is, it isn't anything that I'm to blame for. Only there's asecret that I can't tell just yet. You'll know it in good time. I wantto consult Uncle Obed to-night about it, and you won't mind if I don'ttell you just yet?"
"Give the boy his way, ma'am," said Mr. Wilkins. "If there is anythingvery bad about it he wouldn't tell me."
His mother was somewhat reassured, and left the two to themselves. ThenHarry began and told his story. Mr. Wilkins listened with attention, andnot without surprise.
"Really, Harry, it's quite an adventure, I call it," he said. "Do youknow this man Temple?"
"I know that he's a sort of tramp. I didn't suppose he was a thiefbefore."
"You never saw this other man before?"
"No; never heard of him."
"They're a pair of rascals, I reckon. Now, what have you thought ofdoing?"
"Of going to New York to-morrow to find out what I can about theburglary, or whatever else it was. If I can find out who has beenrobbed, I'll go and tell them about it, and where the bonds are hid."
Uncle Obed nodded approvingly.
"That's a good idea," he said.
"What puzzles me," continued Harry, "is how to explain to mother why Igo to the city. I can't tell her, and she'll feel nervous."
"I can manage that," said Mr. Wilkins. "I'll tell her you have gone onbusiness for me."
"But will it be true?" asked Harry.
"Yes; I've got some cowpons" – that's the way the old man pronounced theword – "that you can get the money for."
"Shall I have any difficulty about it, Uncle Obed?"
"No; you can go to a broker, and he'll give you the money for it, takingout his commission. How much does it cost to go to New York?"
"The price of an excursion ticket is a dollar."
The old man took from his pocket a two-dollar bill.
"There," said he; "that'll pay your ticket and get you some dinner."
"But, Uncle Obed, you ought not to pay my expenses."
"Why not? Ain't you going on my business?"
"I'm going principally on my own," said Harry.
"Well," replied the old man, smiling, "then you must take it because Iam your uncle."
"I know I call you so."
"You seem a good deal more kin to me than Philip. He's ashamed of hisold uncle, and so is his mother; but you are not.
"No, no, Harry; it's all right. I ain't exactly poor, but I'd rather myniece would think so. So don't you say anything to them about thecowpons."
"I'm not likely to, Uncle Obed."
The old man went up to his room and brought down ninety dollars' worthof government coupons, which, as gold was then ruling at a dollar andtwenty, would bring about a hundred and eight dollars in currency.
Mrs. Gilbert was much surprised when Harry told her that he intended togo to New York the next day on business for Uncle Obed; but, of course, had no idea that he had still more important business of his own.