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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..505806b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68471 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68471) diff --git a/old/68471-0.txt b/old/68471-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3c04c1b..0000000 --- a/old/68471-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6239 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom the telephone boy, by Frank V. -Webster - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Tom the telephone boy - or, The mystery of a message - -Author: Frank V. Webster - -Release Date: July 7, 2022 [eBook #68471] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY *** - - -[Illustration: “Mr. Cutter came in, turning on the electric light as he -did so.” _Page 164_] - - - - - Tom the Telephone Boy - Or - The Mystery of a Message - - BY - - FRANK V. WEBSTER - - AUTHOR OF “BOB THE CASTAWAY,” “THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS,” “THE - YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER,” “ONLY A FARM BOY,” ETC. - - ILLUSTRATED - - NEW YORK - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY - PUBLISHERS - - - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS - -_By FRANK V. WEBSTER_ - -12 mo. Illustrated. Bound in cloth. Price per volume, 35 cents, postpaid - - ONLY A FARM BOY, Or Dan Hardy’s Rise in Life - - TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY, Or The Mystery of a Message - - THE BOY FROM THE RANCH, Or Roy Bradner’s City Experiences - - THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER, Or Fred Stanley’s Trip to Alaska - - BOB THE CASTAWAY, Or The Wreck of the Eagle - - THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE, Or Herbert Dare’s Pluck - - THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS, Or Who Was Dick Box? - - THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES, Or Nat Morton’s Perils - - TWO BOY GOLD MINERS, Or Lost in the Mountains - - JACK THE RUNAWAY, Or On the Road with a Circus - -_Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York_ - - - - - Copyright, 1909, by - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY - - TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I A QUEER CUSTOMER 1 - - II TOM IS SUSPICIOUS 14 - - III BUSY DAYS 22 - - IV STRANGE ACTIONS 30 - - V CHARLEY GROVE’S IDEA 39 - - VI OUT OF WORK 45 - - VII LOOKING FOR A SITUATION 54 - - VIII DR. SPIDDERKINS’ POCKETBOOK 63 - - IX TOM LEARNS SOMETHING 70 - - X GETTING A PLACE 77 - - XI TOM MAKES A DISCOVERY 85 - - XII SEEKING INFORMATION 97 - - XIII A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE 105 - - XIV SANDOW IS ALARMED 112 - - XV MR. CUTLER’S VISITOR 119 - - XVI AN ODD CLIENT 124 - - XVII A MEAN PLOT 132 - - XVIII TOM IS ACCUSED 140 - - XIX A GIRL’S TESTIMONY 145 - - XX VINDICATION OF TOM 153 - - XXI TOM TELLS HIS SUSPICIONS 159 - - XXII THE MISSING PAPERS 165 - - XXIII DR. SPIDDERKINS IS ANGRY 176 - - XXIV THE FLIGHT 190 - - XXV TOM’S PROMOTION--CONCLUSION 196 - - - - -TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY - - - - -CHAPTER I - -A QUEER CUSTOMER - - -“Hurrah! Good news, mother!” cried Tom Baldwin, as he hurried into the -house, throwing his hat on the rack. “Fine luck! Where are you?” - -“Upstairs, sewing,” replied a woman’s voice. “My, Tom, but you are -making quite a noise.” - -“Can’t help it, mother! I’ve got good news! I’ve got a job!” - -“Have you really, Tom? Come right up and tell us about it. I’m very -glad!” - -“Tell him to be sure and wipe his feet,” added another woman’s voice, -from the same upstairs-room where Mrs. Baldwin was sewing. “The snow’s -melting outside, and he’ll track it all over the house.” - -“I guess he has already done so, Sallie,” said Tom’s mother a little -ruefully. “He’s half-way upstairs now.” - -“Land sakes! And that carpet only just cleaned! What terrible creatures -boys are!” - -“Not so very bad, Sallie,” replied Mrs. Baldwin with a smile. - -Meanwhile, Tom was coming up the stairs with a rush, and when he -reached the top he found his mother in the hall waiting for him. He -kissed her affectionately, and then followed her into the room from -which she had emerged to greet him. - -The apartment was a small front one, and contained two sewing machines, -and, from the cloth, patterns, needles and thread scattered about, it -did not need a sign to tell that dressmaking was conducted in it. - -“Hello, Aunt Sallie!” exclaimed Tom, as he prepared to sit down on a -chair near the door. - -“Mercy! Goodness me! Don’t sit there!” cried Miss Sarah Ramsey, Tom’s -maiden aunt, who was called “Sallie” by Tom and by his mother. “Look -out, Thomas!” - -“Why? What’s the matter? Is there a pin or a needle in it?” asked Tom, -as he paused and looked apprehensively at the chair, which contained -some fluffy white material. - -“Needle! Pin! Why, Thomas Jefferson Baldwin! That’s the ruching for -the neck of Mrs. Anderson’s new dress, and if you had sat on that, and -crushed it, I don’t know what I’d have done,” and Aunt Sallie became -positively pale over the thought. - -Tom knew she had been much wrought up over the threatened calamity, for -she never gave him his full name--Thomas Jefferson Baldwin--unless she -was very serious indeed. - -“Huh!” exclaimed the boy. “I didn’t think that bunch of white stuff was -anything.” - -“There, Tom, I’ll take it out of the way,” said his mother. “Now you -can sit down and tell us all about it.” - -“Yes, and try and be quiet about it,” cautioned his aunt. “When you -talk so loud you make my head ache, and my nerves are all unstrung now -with trying to get the sleeves in this waist. I never saw such styles -as they wear now-a-days.” - -“Have you really got work, Tom?” asked Mrs. Baldwin. - -“Yes, mother, and a good job, too.” - -“Where is it?” - -“I hope it is in some place where you will have a chance to advance, -and improve yourself,” put in Miss Ramsey quickly. “Boys need improving -very much, now-a-days.” - -“Then this ought to be just the place for it,” said Tom, with a laugh. -“It’s in a book store, and I expect, before long, I’ll know enough, -from reading the books, to become a school teacher or a professor.” - -“That would be very nice,” remarked Tom’s aunt, as if he really meant -what he said. - -“Have you really got a place in a book store, Tom?” inquired his -mother, as she threaded a sewing machine, preparatory to doing some -stitching. - -“Yes, in Townsend’s Book Emporium, as it’s called. It’s on Milk Street, -and it’s one of the largest book stores in Boston. I saw a sign out -‘Boy Wanted,’ and I went in. I didn’t expect to get the place, for I’ve -been disappointed so often of late, but I made up my mind I’d try. - -“Mr. Townsend--he’s a nice elderly gentleman--asked me a lot of -questions, and when I got through answering them he told me to come to -work in the morning. Isn’t that good news?” - -“Indeed, it is,” replied Mrs. Baldwin. - -“How much will you get?” asked his aunt anxiously. “When I was a girl, -boys in book stores didn’t get more than three dollars a week.” - -“Times have changed since then,” declared Tom, with a laugh. “I’m to -get five dollars. There’s only one bad thing about it, though.” - -“What’s that?” asked Mrs. Baldwin. - -“I’m only hired during the holiday rush. They want a boy to help out, -and that’s what I’m to do. I’ll have to look for something else after -the first of the year. Still, it’s better than nothing, and there are -four weeks more of this year left.” - -“I wish it was a permanent place,” remarked Tom’s mother. “But, of -course, as you say, it’s better than nothing. Perhaps if you do well, -they may keep you permanently.” - -“I hope they do, mother. But have you any work that you want me to take -home?” - -“Not yet, Tom. Mrs. Anderson’s dress isn’t quite finished. There is -more work on it than I thought there would be, and it is going to take -me a day longer.” - -“That means you won’t make so much money then,” said Tom, soberly. - -“Yes, that is so. If I had it finished I could sew on that skirt for -Mrs. Thompson, and she is prompt pay.” - -“I can’t sew as fast as I once could,” remarked Tom’s aunt. “I’m afraid -I’m not much help to you, Jeanette.” - -“Indeed, you are!” exclaimed Mrs. Baldwin, kindly. “I don’t know what -I’d do without you--and Tom.” - -“If you haven’t anything for me to do then,” went on the lad, “I think -I’ll get something to eat. I didn’t have any dinner.” - -“Oh, Tom! Didn’t you?” - -“No; I saved the money for car fare, as I didn’t know how far I’d have -to go before I struck a job. Then, when I got this one in the book -store, I thought I might as well come home and get a bite as to go to -a restaurant, so I’ve got the quarter left.” - -“But, Tom, you must take care of your health,” said his mother. “Going -without your dinner, to save money, is poor economy. You can’t afford -to get sick, with two women to look after,” and she smiled fondly at -her son. - -“Oh, I guess it didn’t hurt me, mother. But I certainly am hungry now. -Is there any jam left?” - -“Yes; you’ll find it in the pantry.” - -Tom went downstairs, and was soon rattling away at the dishes in the -cupboard. - -“Look at that!” exclaimed his aunt, as she pointed to a patch of snow -and mud left by Tom’s shoes in the middle of the sewing room. “Isn’t -that awful! Oh, boys are such terrible creatures!” - -“I’m glad I have one,” declared Mrs. Baldwin fondly, as she wiped up -the mud with an old rag. “There are worse things than muddy shoes, -Sallie.” - -Miss Ramsey sighed, but said nothing. Meanwhile, the “terrible boy” was -satisfying a very healthy appetite, thinking, between bites, of his -good luck in finding work. - -For he needed employment very much. Tom Baldwin’s father had died about -three years before this story opens, leaving his wife and son a small -house, in Boston, but no money. Of course, Mrs. Baldwin could have -sold the house, and lived for a time on what she got for it, but she -preferred to keep it. She had been a good seamstress in her younger -days, and she determined to try to earn her living by dressmaking. - -But she soon found that dressmaking, as she had seen it conducted when -she was a girl in the country, and the way it is done now-a-days, was -quite different. She could barely get enough to do to make a living for -herself and Tom, who was too young to go to work, and who attended a -public school. - -Finding she had not the skill necessary to compete with the department -stores and with modern dressmakers, Mrs. Baldwin sent for her maiden -sister to come and help her. Miss Ramsey was a better sewer than Mrs. -Baldwin, but her health was poor, and between them, the two women could -barely make both ends meet. - -Much against her will Mrs. Baldwin had to take Tom from school and put -him to work. He got a position in an office, where he earned three -dollars a week. This helped a little, and as he proved efficient he was -advanced until in about two years he was earning eight dollars. - -Times seemed better then, for, having no house rent to pay, Mrs. -Baldwin got along fairly well on Tom’s money, and what she and her -sister could earn. But the dressmaking business grew worse, instead of -better, and the two women had to depend more and more on Tom. - -Then came a dark day when the firm that Tom worked for failed, and he -and many others lost their places. From then on the little family of -three had a hard struggle. Had it not been for the sewing the women -did, and which just managed to keep them, the house would have had to -be sold. - -Work was hard to get in Boston, that year, and it seemed with the -approach of winter, that times were worse than ever. Tom tramped the -streets day after day, looking for a situation, but in vain, although -occasionally he managed to get odd jobs to do. - -Then came the unexpected, when he saw the sign in front of the book -store, applied, and was taken. No wonder Tom felt happy as he rushed -home with the good news. - -The boy was at Townsend’s Book Emporium early the next morning. There -were several other clerks employed, and Tom was told by the proprietor, -Elmer Townsend, that his duties would be to run on all sorts of -errands, to sweep out the store, dust the books, and, in a rush, wait -on customers. - -“I want you to make yourself as familiar as possible with the books,” -said Mr. Townsend. “Here is a catalogue, and I have marked on it just -what part of the store each book is in. The price of each book is -written on the upper right-hand corner of the first fly-leaf, but as -it is in letters, instead of figures, you will have to learn what the -letters mean.” - -Tom thought it was a queer plan to mark the selling-price in letters -instead of figures, but he was soon enlightened. - -“That is done so customers will not know the prices of books,” said his -employer. “I take a word of ten letters, and each letter represents -a figure from 1 to 0. Then, by combining the letters I can make any -figure I want. Do you understand?” - -Tom said that he did, and he had soon mastered the little problem so -that he could, after a little study, tell the selling-price of any -book, by looking at the small letters on the first page. - -The book store was quite a large one. Tom had never seen so many -volumes in one room before, except in a library, and he began to think -he had come to just the right place, for he was fond of reading and -study, and he made up his mind he would have a good time perusing his -favorite volumes. - -But if our hero had an idea that clerks in book stores spend their time -pleasantly in looking at pictures and reading stories, he was soon -disappointed. - -He found himself ordered here and there by the other clerks. He had to -bring books from the front of the store to the back, and from the back -to the front. He had to get out bundles of wrapping-paper, and balls -of twine. He had to dust off long rows of volumes, and when a clerk -was trying to wait on two customers at once, Tom had to tie up books -to be sent to various addresses given by the purchasers. The lad hoped -he would be sent out to do some delivering, but he learned that the -volumes went by a local express company, with which Mr. Townsend had a -yearly contract. - -Tom was in the back part of the store, arranging some pamphlets that -had been scattered about, when he saw an elderly gentleman walk slowly -along the aisle formed by the book tables, and pausing before some -historic volumes, take one from the row on the shelves. - -“Ha! Um! Here it is!” exclaimed the old gentleman, as he peered through -his spectacles at the printed page. “I knew I was right. It isn’t -there! Here, boy!” he called suddenly, glancing over the tops of his -glasses at Tom. “Just you hold this book open a minute, right there, -and keep your finger on this line,” and he held the volume out to the -lad. Wonderingly, Tom complied. - -The queer customer ran his finger along the row of books, took out -another, leafed it over rapidly, and uttered an exclamation. Then, -placing this book down on a table, and holding it open with one hand, -he reached for a third volume, which he extended to Tom. - -“Open that at page twenty-one,” he said. - -“I can’t,” replied the boy, “unless I let go of this other book.” - -“That’s so, I forgot. Well, give me the first book. I can keep two -places at once.” - -Tom passed it over, and the old gentleman now had two books open before -him. - -“Have you got page twenty-one?” he asked Tom, as he bent close over the -opened books. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Is there anything on it about the ancient Hickhites having used -belladonna in fevers?” - -“No,” answered Tom slowly, as he read down the page. “This seems to be -an account of how to make a fruit cake.” - -“A fruit cake! What do you mean?” - -“This is a cook book, sir,” replied Tom. - -“A cook book! Goodness me! I must have picked up the wrong memoranda -when I hurried from the house.” - -He rapidly searched through his pockets, and produced a crumpled piece -of paper. - -“That’s what I did,” he announced. “I picked up a memoranda made out by -my sister-in-law. It’s about buying a new cook book she saw advertised. -My memoranda was on the use of belladonna among the ancient Hickhites. -I differed from a certain historian, and I wanted to look it up. I have -taken her memoranda, and left mine. Well, well, I must be losing my -memory. I’m sorry I bothered you.” - -“It was no bother at all,” said Tom politely. - -“I’m glad of it. I hate to bother any one. Now let me see. There was -another book I wanted to get. What was it about? I thought I would -remember it. I know I had it on my mind when I was looking at the first -volume of the new edition of Motley’s Dutch Republic--um--er--well, I -can’t think. I’ll have to go back home and get my list.” - -He took the cook book from Tom, and placing it, with the two other -volumes, under his arm, started to walk out of the store. At once there -flashed through Tom’s mind the idea that this was a slick swindler, who -had adopted this method of stealing books. - -“Wait a minute!” he called. “Shan’t I wrap those books up for you?” - -He thought this would be a polite way of calling the attention of Mr. -Townsend or some clerk to the actions of the queer customer. - -“What books?” asked the old gentleman innocently. - -“Those under your arm.” - -“Have I some books under my arm? Why, goodness gracious, so I have! -I’m glad you called my attention to them, young man, or I might have -walked off with them. My, my! but I am getting to have a poor memory! -To think of carrying off books without paying for them!” - -“It’s a good thing I caught him in time, or Mr. Townsend might have -blamed me,” thought Tom. - -Just then Mr. Townsend came to the rear of the store. He caught sight -of the old gentleman. - -“Why, Dr. Spidderkins! How do you do?” he exclaimed. “I am real glad to -see you? What can I show you to-day? I didn’t know you were here, or I -would have attended to you personally.” - -“I guess I made a mistake,” said Tom to himself. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -TOM IS SUSPICIOUS - - -Glad that he had not accused the old gentleman of trying to steal the -books, Tom moved away, leaving his employer and Dr. Spidderkins in -earnest conversation. Tom could hear them talking about rare editions, -first folios, and books or pamphlets that were out of print, and very -valuable. - -“Here, boy, wrap up this bundle,” called a clerk. - -“Sure,” replied Tom good-naturedly. “Shall I bring it back to you?” - -“No, mark this address on it, and put it where the expressman will get -it. It’s got to be delivered to-day.” - -“The new boy is better than the other one we had,” observed a second -clerk to the one from whom Tom had just taken an order. - -“He certainly is. I only hope he keeps it up.” - -The rest of that morning Tom found himself busily occupied. There -came a little let-up in the rush, about noon, and the lad ventured to -ask the senior clerk something about the queer old man who was still -browsing away among the books. - -“He is one of our best customers,” replied the clerk. “His name is Dr. -Lemuel Spidderkins.” - -“Does he practise medicine?” - -“He used to, but he is retired now, and about all he does is to collect -books. Hardly a day passes but what he buys two or three here, or in -other book stores. He spends a lot of money that way. You see he’s so -forgetful he dare not risk practising his profession.” - -“He certainly is queer,” remarked Tom, and he told the clerk his -experience with the doctor. - -“That’s nothing,” was the answer. “He often comes in here, and walks -off with three or four books without paying for them. If we see him we -always politely call his attention to them. If we don’t, it doesn’t -matter, for he generally recollects what he has done when he reaches -home, and he sends the money for them. Yes, he is very eccentric.” - -“Then I did the right thing,” said Tom, “when I offered to wrap them up -for him.” - -“Oh, yes. He and Mr. Townsend are great friends. He has bought books of -us for years.” - -“Here--er--new boy--what’s your name!” suddenly called the book store -proprietor, from where he stood talking to Dr. Spidderkins. “Wrap these -books up.” - -Tom hurried to his employer, and took several large and heavy volumes -which the old physician had evidently selected from the shelves. - -“Ah, there is the young man who helped me look up some facts -about--er--well now, isn’t that queer, I can’t remember what it was -about,” said the doctor, as he caught sight of Tom. “Was it about how -the Egyptians used to worship cats?” - -“It was about belladonna and fruit cake,” answered Tom. - -“Oh, yes, so it was. Yes, he was quite a help to me--I mean he showed -me that I had the wrong memoranda,” went on the physician. “I must get -a secretary if my memory keeps on failing me. But I must pay you for -these books, Mr. Townsend. I’ll take them right along with me, or I’ll -forget all about them.” - -“Better let me send them,” suggested the proprietor of the Emporium. -“They’ll make quite a heavy bundle.” - -“Perhaps you had better. Here is the money,” and the doctor held out -several bills. - -“Do you want that book you have under your arm?” asked Mr. Townsend -with a laugh, pointing to a small volume, almost hidden by the big -sleeve of the doctor’s coat. - -“Have I a book there? Why, bless my soul, so I have! I remember now, I -took it down to look up a certain fact about how the Chinese use opium -to deaden pain in sickness. It is just like a book I have, only mine is -an earlier edition. I think I will take this. You may wrap it up with -the others. Queer, how forgetful I am becoming. Now be sure those books -are up to my house to-night.” - -“They’ll be there,” Mr. Townsend assured the physician, as Tom went to -the counter to wrap them up. - -Dr. Spidderkins took his departure, and soon after this, Tom was told -he could go out and get some lunch. He did not eat an elaborate meal -and was soon back at his place. - -During the afternoon he went on a number of errands, arranged several -shelves of books, dusted off long rows of volumes, and waited on one or -two customers. - -“I’m beginning to learn the book business,” thought the lad proudly, -after he had made his third sale without an error. True they were only -small ones, involving the purchase of a pad, a pencil, and the last one -being a small book, purchased by a girl. But they meant a lot to Tom. - -“It will be closing time in half an hour,” remarked one of the younger -clerks to Tom. “Do you live far from here?” - -“Not very. About half an hour’s walk. But I thought you kept open late -during the holidays?” - -“We will, beginning next week. It will be ten o’clock every night -then, but we get supper money.” - -“That’s good,” remarked Tom. - -“Here, what’s this!” suddenly exclaimed Mr. Townsend, as he saw the -bundle of books which Tom had wrapped up for Dr. Spidderkins. “Haven’t -these books been called for by the expressman?” - -“No, sir,” replied the clerk, in charge of that part of the work. - -“This will never do,” went on the proprietor. “The doctor wants the -books to-night. Call up the express office and see if they are coming.” - -The clerk put the telephone into operation, and presently reported to -Mr. Townsend: - -“He says the man forgot to call on his afternoon trip, and it’s too -late now.” - -“That’s too bad!” exclaimed Mr. Townsend. “Those books must go to Dr. -Spidderkins to-night, or he’ll be very much disappointed, and he’s too -good a customer to disappoint. Tom, you had better jump on a car and -take them to him. Do you know your way around the Back Bay district?” - -The Back Bay district is the section of Boston where are located the -residences of the rich, and it is quite exclusive. - -“I guess I can find the place, sir,” said Tom confidently, though he -had only been in the locality a few times. - -“Well, here is your car fare. Be careful of the books now, as some of -them are quite expensive. Be on hand early in the morning.” - -“Yes, sir,” answered Tom, as he put on his overcoat, and with the -bundle of books, which were quite heavy, he started off. - -He was soon in the Back Bay district, and a little inquiry enabled him -to find the doctor’s house. - -“My, it’s a big place!” exclaimed Tom. “He must have money to live in a -house like that.” - -He went up the front steps and rang the bell. The door was presently -opened by a woman, and, in the light that streamed out into the -darkness from the hall, Tom saw that she was about middle age, and that -her features were rather sharp and hard. Her face was not made more -attractive by the way her hair was arranged, for it was drawn tightly -back on both sides of her head. - -“Well, what do you want?” she asked snappishly. “We don’t want to -buy anything, and if you’re the boy from the grocery you’re too late -with the stuff, and you must go round to the back door. I can’t have -tradesmen coming to the front door.” - -“These are some books Dr. Spidderkins purchased to-day,” replied Tom. -“I brought them, because the expressman forgot to call.” - -“What’s that? Books?” asked a voice from within, that the boy -recognized as the doctor’s. “Who has books for me?” - -Tom caught a glimpse of the elderly gentleman. He was in his slippers -and a dressing gown, and his arms were so full of books that he could -not have carried another one. - -“They are books from Mr. Townsend,” said Tom. - -“Oh, yes. Come right in,” invited the doctor. “I was wondering why -they didn’t arrive. Come right in with them, my boy. I want to look up -something about a certain rare plant----” - -“He’ll do nothing of the kind!” interrupted the woman. “I guess I’m not -going to have snow tracked into my house! Besides, you know you started -to go to supper, and there you are puttering over those books. Oh, -Lemuel, you’re so forgetful!” - -“So I am! So I am,” admitted the doctor in a queer sort of voice. “I -remember now, I did start to go to supper. I knew it was something I -ought to do. I’m glad you reminded me. I’ll eat at once,” and, placing -the books he was holding on a chair in the hall, the old gentleman -turned back. - -“Leave the books here,” said the woman to Tom. “Are there any charges?” - -“No; everything is paid.” - -“All right,” and she abruptly shut the door. - -“Rather a cool reception,” murmured Tom. “My, but she’s cross! I -shouldn’t like to live with her. I wonder how the doctor stands it, -he’s so quiet and studious? I wonder if she’s his wife? No, she can’t -be. The clerk said he wasn’t married. She must be a housekeeper, or -some relation. My, but she seems to be able to make him do just as she -likes! The idea of not letting him take his own books that he bought -and paid for. I guess he’s so easy that she has him under her thumb.” - -The time came when this was demonstrated to Tom, even more forcibly -than it was on this occasion. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -BUSY DAYS - - -Tom was on hand so early at the book store the next morning that he -found the Emporium had not yet opened. He had to stand out in the -street, until the porter came along to unlock the door. - -“You’re early; ain’t you?” the man asked. - -“Yes; I didn’t know exactly what time I had to begin, so I thought I’d -get here as soon as I could. Where will I find a broom? I have to sweep -out the place.” - -“I’ll get you one. You want to sprinkle damp sawdust on the floor, and -cover up all the books on the tables, so they won’t get dusty. Mr. -Townsend is a very particular man.” - -“I believe he is, but I like him--what little I have seen of him.” - -“Oh, you’ll find he’s all right,” went on the porter, as he opened the -door, and showed Tom where to find a broom. Then, while the man went -to the cellar to open up some cases of books that had arrived late the -previous afternoon, Tom began his sweeping. He had just finished, and -taken the cloths off the books, when the junior clerk arrived. In a -short time all the other employes were at their places, and presently -Mr. Townsend came in. - -“Ah, good-morning, Tom,” he said. “I see you have the place in good -shape for us. Did you leave the books for Dr. Spidderkins?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Ah, a very fine man he is, very fine indeed, if he is a trifle -eccentric. Did he say anything to you?” - -“Not very much. He said something about waiting for the books.” - -“I hope they were not too late.” - -“I went as quickly as I could with them.” - -“I know you did, Tom. I mean I hope I sent you off with them in time. -The doctor likes to have things the minute they are promised, though, -often, after he has them, he forgets all about them. Was he much put -out?” - -“Not very. I didn’t have a chance to say much to him, as the lady who -answered the door told the doctor it was time for his supper.” - -“Ah, I dare say he had forgotten all about it. That’s his way. What -did the woman say? She is his sister-in-law, I believe, though she has -married a second time.” - -Tom related as much of the conversation as he could remember. - -“Hum,” mused the bookseller. “She’s a strange woman--very strange. -Well, I guess the books got there in time. Now, Tom, I want you to go -on an errand for me.” - -When Tom got back from having taken some books to a customer who was -stopping at the Parker House, he found the Emporium a busy place. There -were a number of customers present, for the holiday rush was on, and -all the clerks, and Mr. Townsend, were engaged in showing books, or -wrapping up parcels. - -Seeing that Mr. Townsend was busy, Tom decided to defer for the present -reporting on the result of his errand. He hung up his coat and hat, -and as there seemed to be nothing else for him to do, he proceeded to -tidy up a table of small booklets, that was usually in disorder, as -customers were continually looking over the stock. - -While he was thus engaged he was approached by a young man, whose -clothes were of expensive cut and material. - -“I beg your pardon,” he said, in a peculiar drawling accent, “but would -you kindly get me a volume of Browning! I can’t seem to locate it amid -all the maze of books here, and all the clerks seem to be engaged. I -presume I am right in assuming that you are employed here?” - -[Illustration: “Browning, the ball player!” exclaimed the young man. - _Page 25._] - -“Oh, yes, I work here,” answered Tom, who paid little attention to -accent. “But I’ve only been here two days, and I don’t know much about -the books yet.” - -“Then perhaps you can’t find for me a volume of Browning?” - -“I guess I can,” said Tom confidently. “I’ll look in my special -catalogue,” and he produced the one Mr. Townsend had arranged for him. -“Browning, the baseball player, you mean, don’t you?” he asked, for -there was an athlete of that name, who had made quite a reputation for -himself in the New England circuit that fall. - -“Browning, the ball player!” exclaimed the young man, as if horrified. - -“Yes, the one that played short. He’s got the highest batting -average----” - -“Don’t! Don’t, my dear young man; don’t I beg of you,” spoke the -customer, waving his hands. “Baseball is such--such----” - -“It’s a bully game!” exclaimed Tom, enthusiastically. “I used to be -captain of a team, when I went to school. Tim Browning----” - -“No, no! I mean Browning, the poet,” said the young man hastily. “I -want a volume of his verses to send to a young lady. She is very fond -of him. So am I.” - -“Oh!” said Tom suddenly, much enlightened. “I thought you meant the -other Browning. I was looking for the book among the sports. I’ll turn -to poetry. Yes, here it is,” he added a moment later, as he found it in -the catalogue. “I’ll get it for you.” - -He got several different styles of the poet’s work and handed them to -the young man. - -“Ah, that is what I want!” he exclaimed. “Don’t you think his poetry is -simply perfect?” - -“I--I don’t care much for poetry,” replied Tom, who, since he worked in -a book store, did not want to confess that he had never read a line of -Browning. - -“Not care for poetry! Not an admirer of Browning! You have missed much, -my young friend,” murmured the customer. “I will take this copy,” he -went on, selecting an expensive one and handing Tom the money. - -“I don’t much care whether he buys poetry or books on sport as long as -I sell ’em,” thought the lad as he wrapped up the book. “Five dollars -for a book! Whew! I work a week for that. But I’m glad I sold it to -him.” - -The young man went out, fondly holding the volume of verse to his side. -Tom went on arranging the booklets, but presently he had to stop to -wait on a lady who wanted a fairy story for her little girl. Here Tom -was more at home, and he found the lady quite ready to defer to his -judgment as to what sort of a book was best. - -Presently a young lady appealed to Tom to find for her a book on -philosophy, and though the boy could hardly pronounce the title of it, -he managed to locate it. - -All that day Tom was kept busy, and he was acquiring more confidence -in himself with every sale he made. At the close of the day, when Mr. -Townsend looked over the slips made out by the different clerks, he -congratulated Tom on the success he had had. - -“I hope he keeps me after the holidays are over,” thought our hero. -“That’s what I want, a good, steady job, so I can earn money, and then -mother and Aunt Sallie won’t have to work so hard.” - -Toward the end of that week Dr. Spidderkins paid another visit to the -Emporium. He wandered in, and was soon examining volumes in that part -of the shop given over to rare and costly books. - -“Ah!” he exclaimed as Tom passed him on his way to get some -wrapping-paper. “Here is just what I have been looking for. It is a -rare old copy of Shakespeare. When did this come in? Why, bless my -soul! If it isn’t the boy who prevented me from carrying off books -without paying for them the other day,” he added as he recognized Tom. -“How are you, young man?” - -“Very well, sir.” - -“I must have this book,” went on the old doctor. “Let’s see--it will -just match that volume of Milton I bought the same day I got the copy -of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. No, it wasn’t, either. It was the day -I bought Darwin’s volume on evolution, or the day after. I declare, I -can’t remember which. But I must take this book along with me. What’s -the price?” - -“Ten dollars,” answered Tom, after a look at the mystic letters on the -fly-leaf. - -“Ah, very reasonable--very reasonable, indeed.” - -Tom thought it very unreasonable, for the book was an old one, and he -knew of whole shelvesful of brand-new books at much lower prices than -that. Dr. Spidderkins, however, seemed to think he had a bargain. - -“I’ll take it,” he said, putting his hand in his pocket. Then a blank -look came over his face. “Bless my soul, I’ve lost my pocketbook!” he -exclaimed. - -“Lost it?” repeated Tom. “Do you think you dropped it here?” - -“I don’t know, I’m sure. Maybe I left it at home. I’m so forgetful.” - -“We have a telephone here--you could call up your house and ask if it’s -there,” suggested Tom. - -“So I could. I never thought of that. But I can’t talk very well over -the wire, and my sister-in-law can’t hear me as well as she can some -persons. Suppose you call up for me? I’ll give you the number. It’s -2256 Back Bay.” - -“I’ll call up for you,” said Tom. “Shall I wrap up this book?” - -“Yes. I’ll take it, anyhow, and send Mr. Townsend the money. Queer I -can’t remember when I last had my pocketbook.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -STRANGE ACTIONS - - -The experience Tom had once had, as a clerk in a grocery store, where -he took orders over the telephone, had made him fairly expert in the -use of the instrument. He soon got the aged doctor’s house on the wire, -and was inquiring of Mrs. Barton Sandow (which the physician gave as -his sister-in-law’s name) whether the pocketbook had been left there. - -“Yes, it’s here,” answered Mrs. Sandow shortly. “He forgot it, as -usual. Tell him he left it on the breakfast-table. Why, is he in -trouble?” - -“No; only he wants to buy some books, and he hasn’t the money with -him,” answered Tom politely. - -“Well, tell him to be sure and not forget to come home to dinner,” said -Mrs. Sandow, as she hung up the receiver with a click that snapped in -Tom’s ear. - -“What does she say?” asked the old doctor. - -“It’s there,” answered the boy. “And she wants you to be sure not to -forget to come home to dinner.” - -“I’ll not. I’ll start right away, and then I can’t forget. But I must -tell Mr. Townsend about this book. I remember once I took a volume -without paying for it--let me see, it was the same day I picked up a -rare copy of Bacon’s works--and I forgot to send the money for a week, -I got so interested reading it. I want him to send after the money for -this, in case I don’t forward it right away.” - -Tom found the book-store proprietor and told him of Dr. Spidderkins’ -desires. - -“Tell him to take the book, and welcome,” was the reply Mr. Townsend -sent back. “He can take all the books he wants. He is good for them.” - -The doctor left, after insisting that a messenger must be sent to his -house that evening for the ten dollars, in case he did not send it -sooner. - -“I guess you’d better stop up and see the doctor, Tom,” said Mr. -Townsend, when it came closing time. “He hasn’t sent the money, and, -while I know he’ll pay it, he always likes to have things done just as -he requests. I don’t want to offend him. So just take a run up there. -You know where the place is now.” - -“Yes, sir. Shall I bring back the money to-night?” - -“No; fetch it with you in the morning. I suppose you know that, -beginning next week, we shall keep open quite late, on account of the -Christmas trade?” - -“Yes, sir. I don’t mind.” - -“I’m glad you don’t. The boy who had the place you now have left on -account of that.” - -Tom made up his mind it would take a good deal more than that to make -him give up his job. - -He took a car for the Back Bay district, and arrived at the Spidderkins -mansion about seven o’clock. His knock was answered by the woman he now -knew to be Mrs. Sandow. - -“Well?” she asked ungraciously. - -“I called to see Dr. Spidderkins.” - -“What about?” - -“I was told to collect ten dollars for some books.” - -“Oh! Those everlasting books!” exclaimed Mrs. Sandow. “My -brother-in-law spends more money on them than he does on the house. -It’s all foolishness!” - -She opened the door a little wider, and Tom took this for an invitation -to enter. - -“Are your feet clean?” she asked suspiciously. - -“I wiped them carefully on the mat.” - -“I don’t believe you half did. I never saw a boy yet with clean feet. -Wait here, and I’ll tell the doctor.” - -“Ah, good evening, my lad,” exclaimed the aged physician, as, with his -spectacles half-way down on his nose, and holding a book in each hand, -he came out to greet Tom. “You are from the printer’s, aren’t you? -Have you the proofs of my new book on ‘The Influence of Environment in -Nervous Diseases’?” - -“No, sir. I’m not from the printer’s,” said Tom. “I came about the ten -dollars, for Mr. Townsend.” - -“Oh, yes, to be sure. How stupid of me. I wonder where my pocketbook -is?” - -“Didn’t you find it?” - -“Find it? Did I lose it?” - -“Yes. Don’t you remember me telephoning about it for you, when you were -in the store?” - -“Oh, yes, to be sure. Now I know who you are. Dear, dear, I am getting -to have a bad memory, I’m afraid!” - -He already had it, Tom thought, but the old gentleman was such a -delightful character, that the boy could not help liking him. - -“Come right into the sitting-room,” went on the doctor. “Let me see, -your name is Theopholus, isn’t it?” - -“No, sir, it’s Tom Baldwin.” - -“Oh, yes, I recollect now. Well, Tom, just sit down a minute, and I’ll -get the money. Please don’t disturb any of the books or papers. I’m -writing another book on how to avoid taking colds, and I’m looking up -all the authorities about that form of disease.” - -The table was covered with books and papers, and Tom took a seat far -enough away so that there would be no danger of disturbing them. - -“Eliza, have you seen my pocketbook?” Dr. Spidderkins called, as he -left the room. - -“I put it right on top of your desk, where you couldn’t help but see -it,” answered Mrs. Sandow. - -“Oh, yes, of course; I remember now. I have it in my pocket.” - -The doctor came back into the sitting-room. He was followed a moment -later by a tall, dark complexioned man, whose eyes, as Tom noticed at a -glance, seemed to be continually shifting about. - -“Ah, Barton, are you going to sit here and read?” asked the doctor -pleasantly. - -“I was going to, but you’ve got your confounded papers all over the -table, so I don’t see how I can very well,” answered the man, in surly -tones. - -“I’ll make a place for you at once,” said the doctor hastily, sweeping -the papers to one side. - -“You needn’t bother,” was the man’s ungracious remark. “I can go -somewhere else. I wish you, wouldn’t make such a muss.” - -“But this is about my new book.” - -“I don’t care what it is.” - -The doctor seemed to shrink away from Mr. Barton Sandow, and Tom felt a -natural resentment against a man who would speak so ungraciously to an -aged person. - -“Allow me to present a friend of mine to you,” went on the physician -courteously. “This is Tom Baldwin, Mr. Sandow. Tom, or I suppose I -should say Thomas, this is my brother-in-law. That is he is a sort of -brother-in-law. His wife was my brother’s wife, but my brother has been -dead several years, and his wife married again.” - -“You needn’t go into the whole family history,” said Barton Sandow -surlily. “How are you?” he added to Tom, but his tone of voice was such -that he might as well have told the boy he did not care whether he was -well or ill. - -“I--I wasn’t going to,” said the doctor gently. “I only -thought--I--er--and--er--” he seemed to forget what he was going to say. - -“Did you call on business?” asked Mr. Sandow suddenly, looking at Tom. -“Dr. Spidderkins evidently has forgotten what it is about,” he added -with a sneer. - -“I’m from Mr. Townsend’s book store,” was the boy’s reply. - -“That’s it. I knew it was something about books,” said the doctor with -an uneasy laugh. “Thank you for reminding me. I had forgotten. I must -pay you that ten dollars.” - -He drew out his pocketbook, and began fumbling with it, for his -eyesight was clearly not of the best. - -“Ah, I thought I had a ten-dollar bill somewhere in it,” he said, as -he handed Tom an envelope. “I sealed it up in this, and meant to send -it, but I forgot it. But there ought to be more money in my wallet. I -left fifty dollars in it this morning, and now there are only fifteen. -I wonder what has become of the rest?” - -“Do you think I took it?” asked Mr. Sandow, almost savagely. - -“Why--er--no--of course not,” answered the old doctor, looking over the -tops of his spectacles. “I only thought----” - -“You don’t know what you thought!” exclaimed the other quite fiercely. -“First thing you know you’ll be accusing me or my wife of stealing -money from you. ’Liza, come here!” he called. - -His wife stood in the door. - -“What is it, Barton?” she asked. - -“The doctor has missed some money from his pocketbook, and he accuses -us of taking it.” - -“No, no! Nothing of the sort!” said the physician quickly. “I--I didn’t -mean that. I--I thought I had more money than I have. But--er--I -must----” - -“You spent it, and you’ve forgotten all about it,” declared Mrs. Sandow -with a hard laugh. “You’re always doing that, Lemuel. Didn’t you pay -for two tons of coal this afternoon?” - -“That’s so, I guess I must have, but I don’t recollect about it. Did -any coal come?” - -“Of course,” answered Mrs. Sandow, quickly, and Tom, looking up -suddenly, saw her making some kind of a motion to her husband. - -“Then that must be where the money went,” agreed the doctor. “I’m sorry -I’m so forgetful. It may interfere with my new book. I don’t mind the -money, but I like to know where I spend it.” - -“Probably you wasted it on books,” said Mr. Sandow, half growling out -the words. - -“No, I never waste money on books, and I only spent ten dollars for one -to-day.” - -“Ten dollars for a book!” gasped Mrs. Sandow. “You’ll be in the -poorhouse soon, at that rate.” - -“It was a very rare volume,” pleaded her brother-in-law. “I--I couldn’t -very well let it go.” - -“Humph!” sniffed the woman. “You’ll wish you had that money some day. -But it’s time you went to bed. You’re forgetting it’s past your hour.” - -“Is it?” asked the doctor humbly. “I knew there was something I ought -to remember. Well, good-night, Tom--is it Tom? Oh, yes, I remember now. -Perhaps you’ll have some more books to deliver for me next week. I must -get some more authorities on colds,” and the aged gentleman tottered -off, shaking his white head, as though vainly trying to remember -something. - -“I guess that’s all that need detain you,” said Mr. Sandow rather -roughly to Tom. “We close up early here.” - -“Yes; my business is finished,” replied the boy. - -As he went down the stone steps, our hero wondered at the queer actions -of Mr. and Mrs. Sandow, for they seemed to have some strange control -over the aged doctor. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -CHARLEY GROVE’S IDEA - - -“Hey, Tom!” hailed a voice, as our hero got off the street car, near -his home. “Where are you going?” - -Tom turned, to behold his chum, Charley Grove, whom he had not seen -since going to work in the book store. - -“Going home,” replied Tom. “Where are you going?” - -“Same place. Haven’t seen you in over a week. Where have you been -keeping yourself?” - -“I’ve got a new job,” replied Tom. - -“Where?” - -“Down in Townsend’s Book Emporium.” - -“What doin’? Readin’ books?” - -“Not much. Don’t get any time for that. We’re busy on account of the -holidays. What are you doing?” - -“Oh, I’ve got a new job, and it’s fine.” - -“What at?” - -“I run the telephone switchboard in a broker’s office. Short hours and -good pay. I get ten a week. All I got was eight in my last place.” - -“That’s what I got, before the firm failed. Now I only get five.” - -“You ought to strike for more money.” - -“Wouldn’t do much good. I’m only an extra hand during the holidays. -I’ll be lucky if I stay there after the first of the year.” - -“That’s too bad. You ought to learn to be a telephone boy. I know two -or three who make more money than I do.” - -“Is it hard to learn?” - -“Well, it isn’t so very easy, and if you’re in a busy office like mine -it keeps you on the jump. It’s no fun to have all three members of the -firm trying to get connections at once, and half a dozen parties on the -outside wanting to talk to the partners to give orders to sell or buy -stocks. I couldn’t do it at first, and I got all mixed up, but I can -work it all right now.” - -“I’d like to have a place like that,” said Tom. “I used to take orders -over the telephone in the grocery store.” - -“Bein’ on a private exchange is a heap different from that,” said -Charley, as he walked along beside Tom. - -“Do you think there’s a place in your office for another boy?” asked -Tom, rather wistfully, as he thought of the good salary his chum was -getting. - -“I don’t believe so. But I’ll keep my ears open, and if I hear of -anything in that line, I’ll let you know.” - -“I wish you would. I’ll have to look for something after Christmas, and -I’m afraid I’ll have a hard task finding anything.” - -“Where were you when I saw you getting off the car?” asked Charley. - -“I’d been over in the Back Bay section, to collect some money from a -Dr. Spidderkins.” - -“Dr. Spidderkins! Why he used to be our doctor,” said Charley. “He’s -too old to practice now, but I remember my mother saying she had him -for me, when I was a baby.” - -“He’s rather a queer character,” commented Tom. “He’s always forgetting -things.” - -“I wish I had his rocks! He’s got slathers of money.” - -“He doesn’t look rich. His clothes aren’t very good, but maybe that’s -because he spends so much on books.” - -“Oh, he’s got lots to spend,” said the other boy. “I heard my dad say -Dr. Spidderkins was worth close to half a million. But I guess he -doesn’t have much fun out of it.” - -“Why?” - -“Well, he’s always studying some queer subject or other, or writing -books or papers for the scientific magazines. And then I guess his -sister-in-law doesn’t treat him any too good.” - -“I believe you’re right there,” agreed Tom. “She seems to make fun of -him, because he’s so forgetful.” - -“From what I hear, though,” went on Charley, “his short memory just -suits Mr. Sandow--that’s his sister-in-law’s second husband.” - -“Suits him? How do you mean?” - -“Well, I’ve got an idea,” went on Tom’s chum, “that Sandow would like -to get control of part of Dr. Spidderkins’ money. He’s got slathers of -it, as I said, and I don’t believe he knows where it all is. He’s as -careless about cash as he is about other things, dad says. Forgets what -he does with his rocks.” - -“How do you know Sandow would like to get hold of it,” asked Tom. - -“Well, Sandow does some business through our firm. Not much, though. -He’s a ‘piker.’” - -“What’s a ‘piker’?” - -“That’s what we call a chap that buys a few shares of stock at a time. -Small business, you know. Well, Sandow does a little business with us, -and I heard him telephoning to our junior partner one day, giving an -order for a few shares. Mr. Fletcher, that’s the junior partner, asked -him why he didn’t buy more, and I heard Sandow say he couldn’t, as he -didn’t have the money. Then I heard him laugh, sort of queer-like, and -he said he might have more soon. Mr. Fletcher asked him where he was -going to get it, and Sandow said he expected to get it from a friend -of the family. Mr. Fletcher asked him if he meant Dr. Spidderkins, and -Sandow only laughed. That’s all I heard.” - -“Can you hear what both people say over the wire?” - -“Sure, when you cut in on the switchboard. I have to keep listening, to -tell when they’re finished, ’cause there’s most always somebody waitin’ -for our wire.” - -“So you think Sandow is trying to get part of the old doctor’s money?” -asked Tom. - -“That’s my idea,” replied Charley. “I guess it wouldn’t be so hard, -either, for the doctor’s so forgetful he might have a hundred or five -hundred dollars one minute, and not find it the next, and he wouldn’t -know what become of it.” - -There came at once to Tom’s mind the scene he had witnessed that -evening in the doctor’s home--the confusion about the money, and the -puzzled air of the physician--when he could not find it in his wallet. - -“Well, this is my street,” announced Charley, as he paused on a corner. -“Come on over some night and see a fellow.” - -“I will, only I can’t until after the holidays. We’re going to keep -open evenings beginning next week.” - -“That’s tough. You ought to be a telephone boy, and get done at three -o’clock. I went to a moving picture show this afternoon.” - -“I wish I could go. But let me know if you hear of a chance for me, -Charley.” - -“I will, Tom. Hope you keep your job.” - -“I don’t know as I want to, since I’ve heard about yours,” replied Tom -with a laugh. “Good-night.” - -Tom hurried on to his home. As he reached the steps, and felt for the -key of the door, he gave a sudden start. The envelope containing the -ten dollars which Dr. Spidderkins had given him, and which he had put -in his pocket, was gone! - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -OUT OF WORK - - -Thinking he might not have looked in the right pocket, Tom made a hasty -search through all the others. - -“No use,” he said dolefully, “it’s gone! I must have dropped it after I -left the house. What’s to be done?” - -The situation was serious for the lad. He wished he had been more -careful, but he had been so engaged in thinking of the queer actions of -Mr. and Mrs. Sandow, and in talking to Charley Grove, that he had given -little thought to the money. - -“Mr. Townsend will think I have stolen it, when I go to him in the -morning, and say I’ve lost it,” murmured Tom. “I wish I had been more -particular. Maybe there was a hole in my pocket.” - -He looked, but there was none, for Mrs. Baldwin attended carefully to -her son’s clothes. - -“This is certainly a pickle!” exclaimed the boy to himself softly. “I -wonder what I’d better do? Maybe if I go back the way I came I’ll find -the envelope lying in the street. It was a good-sized, white one, and -I can easily see it.” - -“But maybe I dropped it in the car,” he added. “No, I don’t believe I -could have done that, or some of the passengers or the conductor would -have seen it on the floor, and told me about it. I must have lost it -either before I got on the car, or afterward. I’ll walk back to where I -met Charley, and see if it’s there.” - -It was nearly eleven o’clock now, and as Tom looked up at the silent -little house, where his mother and aunt were doubtless sleeping, he -wondered if he had better go in and tell his parent about the loss, and -inform her that he was going to look for the money. - -“No, I’ll not do that,” he decided. “She’ll only worry about it, and -she has troubles enough. I’ll hurry as much as I can, and get back as -soon as possible. Still, if I’m not in by midnight she may worry too. -But then I told her I was likely to be late any night now, for I might -have to deliver books in the suburbs. I guess she won’t worry if I -don’t go in right away.” - -Deciding that this was the best plan, Tom descended the steps of his -home, and hurried back over the route he had taken from the car. -How eagerly he scanned the pavement, looking for that white, square -envelope! Every scrap of paper he saw made his heart flutter, until he -came close to it, and saw that it was not what he sought. - -“Well, here’s where I took the car,” he said, as he reached the corner -where he had alighted. “Either I didn’t drop it along this way, or if I -did, some one has picked it up. Now for the second part of my search.” - -He waited for a car to come along, to take him back to Dr. Spidderkins’ -house, and it was a cold, lonesome wait for Tom, who felt quite -miserable over what had happened. To his delight he saw on the car the -same conductor with whom he had ridden about an hour before. The man -was on the return trip. - -“Did you find an envelope in the car, after I left?” asked Tom eagerly, -as he got aboard, and told the circumstances. - -“Didn’t find anything but an old lunch box, and there was nothing in -it,” said the conductor. - -“Then I must have dropped it before I got on the car,” decided Tom. - -Arriving at the place where he had first boarded the electric vehicle, -he alighted and hurried over the ground toward the house of the -eccentric doctor. No sign of a white envelope greeted his anxious eyes. - -“I’m going to ask if it’s in the house,” the boy said to himself, as he -stood in front of the big, dark mansion. “I might have let it slip when -I thought I put it in my pocket, and perhaps they picked it up on the -floor. Though if Mr. and Mrs. Sandow did, they’re likely to keep it, if -what Charley Grove says is true.” - -Tom rang the bell. It seemed like a quarter of an hour before some one -opened a window over his head and called: - -“Well, what’s the matter? Is it a telegram?” - -“I’m from Townsend’s book store,” replied Tom. “I came----” - -“What! More books!” exclaimed a voice Tom recognized as Mrs. Sandow’s. -“You can’t leave ’em here to-night. Everybody’s to bed long ago. You’ll -have to come back in the morning.” - -“I haven’t got any books,” said Tom. “I dropped the envelope with the -ten-dollar bill the doctor gave me, and I thought maybe it might be in -the house. Would you mind looking?” - -“That’s a likely story!” sneered Mr. Sandow, joining his wife at the -window. “You probably stole that money, and now you want us to help you -lie about it. Clear out of here!” - -“I didn’t steal the money!” exclaimed Tom. “I lost it! Will you please -look down in the sitting-room, or have Dr. Spidderkins do so?” - -“The doctor’s asleep, and I’m not going to disturb him,” declared Mrs. -Sandow. - -“I guess not!” added her husband. “Now clear out of here, and don’t -disturb us any more. You’re a nuisance, with your books and things! -I’ll put a stop to this buying of trash!” - -“What’s the matter? What is it? Is it a burglar after my rare books?” -inquired Dr. Spidderkins, coming suddenly to the window, behind Mr. -and Mrs. Sandow. He leaned out, and Tom could see, in the light of an -electric arc lamp in front of the house, that the doctor was dressed, -and had on his spectacles, as if he had been sitting up reading. - -“Go back to bed!” called the woman. - -“I haven’t been to bed. I must have forgotten to go,” answered the -doctor. “I was reading an account of how the Romans invaded England. -It’s in a very rare first edition of----” - -The rest of the sentence was cut off, as Mr. Sandow slammed the window -down. - -“They don’t want him to speak to me,” thought Tom. “I wonder what’s the -matter with that couple? They seem to want the doctor to do just as -they say.” - -An instant later the window was raised again, and the aged physician -looked out. - -“Did you say some one was stealing my books?” he asked. “Are you a -policeman? I’m much obliged to you. I hope the fellow didn’t get my -first folio Shakespeare.” - -“No, I’m not a policeman! No books have been stolen!” cried Tom. “I’m -from Townsend’s book store.” - -“Oh, yes. You’re Theopholus--no--I remember now; you’re Tom Baldwin. -Wait; I’ll be right down. Have you some more books for me?” - -Before the boy could answer, the window was shut again, but in less -than a minute the front door opened, and Dr. Spidderkins, holding a -candle in his hand, for he liked that old-fashioned method of going -about the house after dark, was inviting Tom to enter. The story of the -mishap was soon told. - -“I thought maybe I might have dropped the envelope here,” the boy -finished. - -“Wait a minute!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins, as he reached for his -pocketbook. He searched hurriedly through it. Then he uttered an -exclamation. “There! It’s all my fault. I knew I’d forget about it!” - -“What?” asked Tom hopefully. - -“Why, I gave you the wrong thing! There wasn’t any ten-dollar bill in -that envelope!” - -“There wasn’t?” and Tom’s heart grew light again. - -[Illustration: “Why, I gave you the wrong thing!” said Dr. Spidderkins. - _Page 50._] - -“No. That envelope contained a list of books I wanted Mr. Townsend to -get for me. I meant to send it back to him by whoever called for the -ten dollars. I put the envelope in the compartment with the bill, so I -would remember about it. Then my memory played me a trick, and I gave -you the envelope with the list, and not the bill. So you haven’t lost -much of anything, after all. I can easily make out another list, and -here is the ten-dollar bill. Queer how that happened.” - -“I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t give me the money,” said Tom with -a smile, “for I would have lost it. But I’ll be careful this time.” - -He placed the bill in an inner pocket, and then, bidding the doctor -good-night, Tom once more started for home. This time he reached it in -safety, and he put the bill under his pillow when he went to bed. He -said nothing about the little adventure to his mother or aunt, merely -stating that he had been out late because of some business for his -employer. Nor did he mention the happening to Mr. Townsend. - -The work at the book store became more exacting as Christmas -approached, and as customers increased, Tom was kept busy from morning -to night. He had to run on many errands, and he learned more of Boston -than he had ever known before. - -He made many sales in the store, and several times he waited on Dr. -Spidderkins, but the physician made no reference to Tom’s midnight -visit. Probably he forgot all about it ten minutes after it occurred. - -Christmas eve Tom was up until after midnight, delivering books to -late customers, and when he got back to the store about one o’clock in -the morning, he found Mr. Townsend about to close up. - -“Tom,” said his employer, “you’ve done very good work for me, and I -assure you I appreciate it. We don’t open to-morrow, and here’s a -little remembrance for the Christmas season.” - -He handed our hero a book of adventures that Tom had long desired to -possess. - -“I am sorry,” went on Mr. Townsend, “that I won’t be able to keep you -after this week. You know I engaged you for the holiday rush, and -that’s over now, so I won’t need so many clerks. I am sorry to have to -let you go, as you suited me very well.” - -“I’m sorry, too,” said Tom frankly, “but, of course, I understood when -you hired me that it was for the holiday season. I only hoped you could -keep me.” - -“So did I, but I find I can not. Your week will not be up until -Saturday, but as there will be little to do, you need not come in that -day, nor Friday, though I will pay you for a full week. Here is the -money. Now if you want a reference, to get another position, call on -me. I will be glad to speak a good word for you.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Townsend.” - -“I think you can get work, somewhere,” went on the bookseller. “I wish -I could keep you, but I can’t. Times are too dull. Good-night, Tom.” - -Tom went home with a heavy heart, in spite of the fact that it was -Christmas morning, and that a book had been presented to him. He was -out of work, and he did not know where to look for a situation. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -LOOKING FOR A SITUATION - - -“Merry Christmas!” called Mrs. Baldwin, as she knocked on Tom’s door -that morning. “Merry Christmas, Tom!” - -“Merry Christmas, mother!” he answered. He hurriedly dressed, trying to -keep up a cheerful spirit, but it was hard work. He went downstairs, -and handed to his mother and aunt each a pretty little booklet, which -he had purchased at the Emporium at reduced prices. - -“Oh, Tom!” exclaimed his mother, “why didn’t you save your money? I -haven’t been able to get anything for you except some new socks. You -needed them very much.” - -“Indeed I did, mother, and I couldn’t have anything better,” answered -the boy, giving his mother a hug and a kiss. - -“Here is a pair of woolen gloves I knitted for you,” put in his aunt. -“I’m sure they’re not as nice as this Christmas book.” - -“They’re a good deal more useful,” replied Tom. “Why, this is a pretty -good Christmas, after all, even if I have lost my job,” he said, -deciding this was a good time to break the unpleasant news. - -“Lost your job, Tom!” exclaimed Mrs. Baldwin. - -“Mercy sakes! Lost--your--job!” added his aunt. - -“Well, I sort of expected it,” the youth answered ruefully, and he told -how it had come about. - -“I rather hoped he might keep you on after the holidays,” remarked Mrs. -Baldwin. - -“So did I,” said her son, “but, never mind, I’ll get a place somewhere. -Things are sure to be lively after the first of the year, and that’s -only a week off.” - -“Oh, we’ll manage to get along, somehow,” declared Mrs. Baldwin slowly. -She did not want Tom to know how little money she had, nor what a -little sewing there was in prospect for her and her sister. - -But in spite of these drawbacks it was quite a merry little Christmas -for Tom and his relatives, even though they had beef instead of turkey, -and no dessert at all. - -Tom started off, early the next morning, to look for work, but he found -the Christmas spirit rather a detriment than otherwise, for many places -took advantage of the holidays and paid little attention to business. -The lad tramped the streets in vain, and came home that night, tired -and discouraged. - -He awoke in the morning to find a foot of snow on the ground, and more -coming down. - -“Here’s my work all cut out for me,” he said gleefully. “Mother’s socks -and Aunt Sallie’s gloves will just come in handy to-day. I’ll turn -snow-shoveler.” - -After he had cleaned the sidewalk in front of his own house, he -shouldered the shovel and broom, and joined the army of men and boys -that had begun to gather to clear away the frozen crystals that were -still lazily floating down. - -Whether the Christmas spirit induced householders to be more liberal -than usual, or whether Tom worked extra hard he did not stop to -consider, but the fact was he earned three dollars that day. - -“This is better than working in a book store,” he said gleefully, as he -gave his mother a handful of change that night. “I’d like this regular, -I would.” - -“But being in a book store is so educational and refining, Tom,” -remarked his aunt. - -“Shoveling snow buys more bread and butter,” answered the -matter-of-fact boy with a laugh. - -He resumed his search for work the next day, as there was no more snow -to shovel, but everywhere he applied he met with the reply that there -was nothing for him to do. All business seemed to have taken a sudden -drop after Christmas. - -“It will be better after New Year’s,” decided Tom. “I’ll sure get a job -then.” - -Anxiously he waited for January the second. He started off early that -morning, taking some lunch with him, as he found he could get scarcely -anything to eat in a restaurant for the money he could afford to pay. -He bought a paper, and turned to the column “Help Wanted.” - -“Let’s see what firm offers boys the highest wages,” he said. “That’s -what I’m looking for.” - -He saw several advertisements that seemed to offer a good chance, but -Tom was at this disadvantage--he had to walk to the places, for he -could not afford car fare. In this way he arrived too late in a number -of cases, the positions having been filled just before he presented -himself. - -“I must pick out the places that are nearest by,” he decided, and he -went over the list again. He selected an advertisement of a firm on -Tremont Street, that wanted a boy to assist in packing. Tom found it -was a big crockery store. - -“Have you had any experience in packing?” asked the manager, to whom, -after inquiring of several clerks, he was referred. - -“We moved once, and I helped them,” said Tom, wondering what sort of -packing was done in the place. - -“No, I’m afraid that would hardly do,” was the answer. “We want a boy -who has had experience in packing dishes.” - -“I think I could learn,” spoke the boy eagerly. - -“I’m afraid we couldn’t risk it. Our dishes are very valuable, and if a -boy broke one or two it would amount to more than his wages. We require -experienced help.” - -“Couldn’t I learn by beginning to pack heavy dishes, that wouldn’t -break so easily, if I happened to drop one?” asked Tom. - -“No, I’m afraid not.” - -Tom wondered how a boy was ever going to get experience packing fine -dishes, if he never had any practice on heavy ones, but he did not -think it would do any good to ask the manager, so he left. - -At the next place a boy was wanted to run errands, but as the wages -were only two dollars a week, Tom knew he could not afford to take it, -for he would hardly make his expenses. Then he saw an advertisement of -a boy wanted in a machine shop. - -“That might do,” he mused. “I’m fond of machinery, and I often used to -go to the shop where father worked.” - -“We want a boy to learn the trade,” said the foreman of the shop where -Tom applied, and where the machinery made so much noise that every one -had to shout to be heard. “It’s a good trade, and you can earn good -wages at it.” - -“How much do you pay?” asked Tom. - -“Pay? We don’t pay anything the first year,” answered the foreman, in -apparent surprise at the question. “I thought you wanted to learn the -trade.” - -“I’d like to,” said Tom, “but I want to live while I’m learning it. A -trade wouldn’t do me much good if I starved to death, and I’d do that -if I didn’t get some money.” - -“I guess you won’t suit,” was the comment, as the foreman turned back -to the lathe which he had stopped while he talked to Tom. - -“No, I guess not,” was our hero’s comment. - -He had exhausted the possibilities of the advertising list, so he -strolled around in the streets where there were many office buildings, -hoping he might see some boys he knew, who could tell him where he -might apply for work, or where he might see that magical sign “Boy -Wanted” hanging in front of a store or office. - -He did see two signs, but the places were meant for smaller lads than -Tom--boys who had parents to support them--and who would be content -with two or three dollars a week. - -“I guess this is going to be a poor year for boys,” thought Tom, as -he went over to a little park, where, sitting on a bench, he ate his -lunch. He spent five cents for a cup of coffee and a bun at a street -stand, and felt somewhat better after it, for the day was cold. - -“There’s a big building,” mused the boy, as he looked at one just -across from the little park. “There must be a couple of hundred offices -in it. Now they need boys in an office, and out of the two hundred -there ought to be a place for me. I’m going to ask in every office in -that building.” - -Tom did not know how much of a task he had set for himself, but he -started bravely in, beginning on the ground floor, and working his way -up. - -In some places he was politely told that there was no opening for him. -In others he was gruffly given the same information, though, by this -time, he was getting hardened to rebuffs. - -“Well, I’ve asked in twenty-five places,” he mused. “Here goes for the -twenty-sixth.” - -He entered an office marked “Real Estate and Insurance.” A rather -pretty girl was pounding away at a typewriter. - -“Do you want a boy?” asked Tom, smiling, in spite of his weariness. - -“Do I want a boy?” she asked wonderingly. “Why, no. Are you a messenger -boy? I didn’t ring for any.” - -“I’m looking for work,” explained Tom. - -“Oh, I see,” she answered kindly. “I don’t know. I’ll ask----” - -At that moment a man came from an inner office. Tom started at the -sight of him, for he was Barton Sandow, the brother-in-law of Dr. -Spidderkins. - -“Well,” fairly growled Mr. Sandow, “what do you want here? I don’t want -any books, even if Dr. Spidderkins does waste his money on them.” - -“I haven’t any books,” replied Tom. “I called to see if you wanted a -boy. I’m looking for work.” - -The lad’s answer seemed to enrage the man. He started toward our hero, -his face flaming red with passion. - -“Who told you to come here?” he cried. - -“No one; I just happened to come. I’m inquiring in all the offices in -the building.” - -“Well, you clear out of here, you young gutter-pup!” fairly shouted -Barton Sandow. “I don’t want a boy, and if I did I shouldn’t hire you! -Get out of here! Do you understand! Clear out, and don’t you dare come -in again!” - -The pretty typewriter girl shrank back afrightened, and Tom, not -knowing what to make of the outburst, opened the door and went out. - -“There’s something wrong with Mr. Sandow,” he said, for the needlessly -cruel words rankled in his mind. “There was no occasion for him to -speak like that. I pity Dr. Spidderkins, living with that man. There’s -something queer about it. I wonder what it is?” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -DR. SPIDDERKINS’ POCKETBOOK - - -Tom tried to keep up a cheerful spirit when he went home that night, -tired and discouraged with his fruitless search for work. - -“No luck, Tom?” asked his mother, who, in spite of his efforts at -concealment, could almost read his thoughts. - -“No, but I’ll find a place to-morrow, mother. Is there any work I can -take home for you?” - -“Yes; here is a skirt I have just finished for Mrs. Wellderly, the -minister’s wife. She is usually good pay, and I have written her a -little note, asking to please send the money by you.” - -“I wish I was earning money for you, mother.” - -“Never mind, Tom. I have had an unusual lot of sewing to do lately, -and we are making out fairly well. Now here is the skirt. Carry it -carefully.” - -She handed the bundle to Tom, who grasped it as if it was a package of -books, placing it under one arm. - -“Mercy! Goodness sakes alike! Don’t do that!” cried his aunt. - -“What’s the matter?” asked Tom innocently. “Am I spilling any of the -fol-de-rols?” - -“No; but you’ll crush the ruffle all out of shape!” explained his -mother. “Hold it this way, Tom,” and she showed him how he ought to -carry the parcel. - -Tom safely delivered his mother’s work, and received the money from the -minister’s wife. - -“Tell your mother to call and see me,” the lady said to the boy. “A -friend of mine wants some fine sewing done, and I think she would like -Mrs. Baldwin’s work.” - -“I will,” promised Tom. - -Refreshed by a good night’s sleep, though he was awake a little longer -than usual, wondering what the day would bring forth, Tom arose early -the next morning, determined to leave no chance untried to get a place -to work. He looked over the advertisements in the paper, and picked out -several. - -He found, to his regret, however, that in most of the places where boys -or young men were wanted, that experience in some line of industry was -necessary. This was particularly true of the shops and stores. In the -offices this was not quite so requisite, but office positions were very -scarce. - -“I think I’ll try some of the book stores,” thought Tom, when noon -came, and he had had no success. “I had a little experience there, and -it ought to be worth something. Any way,” he added, as he smiled at the -recollection, “I know there are two Brownings, a poet and a baseball -player.” - -He turned into Milk Street, where was located Townsend’s Emporium, but -he knew it was no use to apply there. He recalled that there was a -second-hand book store, further down the street, and he decided to try -his luck there. - -It was quite a different place from the neatly-kept shop where he had -formerly worked, and there was a curious, musty smell about it, many -old volumes being ranged about on the shelves. - -“Do you want a boy?” asked Tom, of the proprietor. - -“Why? Did you see a sign out in front?” inquired the man. - -“A sign? No. Why?” - -“Well, sometimes the boys of the neighborhood hang a sign out in front -to annoy me. They know I never hire a boy. They do it for a joke, and -several lads, in need of work, have been fooled by it.” - -“I don’t think that’s a very good joke,” remarked Tom. - -“Neither do I,” agreed the proprietor. “No, I don’t want a boy, but I’m -glad there’s no foolish sign out in front. How did you come to ask in -here?” - -“Well, I used to be in Townsend’s store, and as I need work, and every -place seems to be one where experience is needed, I thought I’d try a -book store.” - -“I’m sorry,” went on the man more kindly. “I can’t afford to keep a -helper. There’s very little profit in second-hand books, and to hire a -boy would eat it all up. I need a boy quite often to deliver books, but -I can’t afford to hire one regularly.” - -“How often do you need one?” - -“Well, about once a day. In fact I wish I had one now to take some -books to a man who lives three miles from here. I’ll give you fifty -cents and your car fare if you’ll deliver them.” - -“I’ll do it,” said Tom, glad of the chance to earn a half dollar. - -“Wait a minute, and I’ll wrap them up.” - -Tom was soon ready to start, carrying quite a heavy bundle of books. As -he passed out of the store, in front of which were two big tables, with -bargains in second-hand books on them, he saw a familiar figure reading -a tattered volume. - -“How do you do, Dr. Spidderkins!” greeted Tom, as he recognized the -aged physician. - -“Eh? What’s that? Oh, it’s--I’ve forgotten--no--I remember now, you’re -William Henderson, aren’t you?” - -“No, sir; I’m Thomas Baldwin.” - -“Oh, yes. You’re in the Emporium. I remember now. My memory must be -coming back.” - -“I used to be there,” replied Tom, “but there was no work for me after -the holidays. I’m doing odd jobs. Just now I’m carrying books for the -man who owns this place.” - -“Ah, that’s a fine job, carrying books,” commented the old gentleman. -“You are diffusing knowledge, my young friend. A very noble calling. -Now I can only read books, I can’t carry them about any more. I am -reading a very fine book now. It seems to be quite rare. It tells how -the ancient Greeks had the primitive idea of raising chickens by means -of hot water pipes--something on the order of our modern incubators. -It’s a very valuable book. I don’t recollect when I have found one more -valuable, of its kind. Yes, once; the same day I discovered a copy of -Milton’s Paradise Lost, in an old book store, I came across one worth -almost as much as this. That was--um--er--dear me--I’m afraid I can’t -recall what it was. But I’ll recollect it shortly. I must purchase this -book before I forget it.” - -Tom watched the old gentleman start into the store, reading on the way -the book in which he was so interested. Then Tom saw something else. -Dr. Spidderkins’ pocketbook--an old-fashioned wallet--was half-way out -of his pocket, and likely to drop to the sidewalk. - -Our hero sprang forward to reach the wallet before it should fall. He -grasped it, and was pulling it from the doctor’s pocket, intending to -restore it to him, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim: - -“Ah! You young rascal, I caught you in the very act!” - -Tom turned, with the pocketbook in his hand, to behold Barton Sandow -confronting him. - -“What do you mean?” asked the boy. - -“What do I mean? You’ll soon see what I mean? Trying to steal the -doctor’s wallet, eh? I’ll have you arrested!” - -“I wasn’t trying to steal it!” declared Tom, indignantly. “It was -falling out of his pocket, and I caught it to give it back to him.” - -“That’s a likely story! You’re a thief; that’s what you are!” - -“What’s that? What’s the matter?” asked the aged physician, suddenly -turning, as he became aware that something unusual had happened. - -“This boy from the book store has just stolen your pocketbook!” said -Mr. Sandow. “He’s got it in his hand now.” - -“My pocketbook! Bless my soul! So it is; and I have a hundred dollars -in it!” - -“I didn’t steal it!” cried Tom again. “It was dropping out, and I -caught it!” - -“Hold him, doctor, until I get an officer!” called Mr. Sandow, as he -looked down the street, and saw a policeman approaching. “We’ll soon -have him behind the bars!” - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -TOM LEARNS SOMETHING - - -Poor Tom was much distressed. What he meant to be an act calculated to -benefit the old doctor, was likely to turn to his disadvantage, for he -could not but admit that appearances were against him. It did look, to -a casual observer, as though he had taken the pocketbook and was about -to run away with it. - -“This boy a thief?” exclaimed Dr. Lemuel Spidderkins as he looked at -Tom. “I don’t believe it! He’s the boy who brought me the books. He’s -an honest lad if ever I saw one.” - -“Well, your eyesight isn’t very good,” remarked Mr. Sandow sneeringly. -“I saw him steal the pocketbook.” - -“Oh, it’s my pocketbook you’re talking about, is it?” asked the doctor. - -“Certainly. What did you think we were speaking about?” asked his -brother-in-law. - -“Why, I thought you meant one of these books. Bless my soul, that is my -pocketbook. I forgot about it for the moment, I was thinking so much -about this book.” - -Tom did not know what to make of the aged man. Certainly his memory was -very short, for in one breath he talked of his wallet, and the next he -forgot he had mentioned it. - -“Better look and see if he took any of the money out,” suggested Mr. -Sandow. “The policeman will be here in a minute.” - -“I didn’t take any money!” insisted Tom. - -The aged physician opened the wallet and examined it. - -“Well, if this isn’t a queer thing!” he exclaimed. “I meant to put a -hundred dollars in it this morning, to buy a rare copy of Gibbon’s -Rome, but I forgot it. I haven’t a cent with me. You’ll have to lend me -some, Barton.” - -“Are you sure you didn’t give the hundred dollars away?” remarked Mr. -Spidderkins’ relative with a sneer. - -“No; I’m sure I left it home. I put it in back of the first edition of -Bacon’s Essays. I remember now. My pocketbook hasn’t a cent in it, so -if any one had taken it, he wouldn’t have stolen anything.” - -Tom looked relieved. Still, he wanted to be cleared of the least -suspicion, and he did not know how this was going to be brought about. -Unexpectedly, however, matters turned out right. - -Quite a crowd had collected by this time, and a policeman was edging -his way through it. - -“What’s the matter?” asked several. “Anybody killed?” was another -inquiry. - -“This boy tried to steal Dr. Spidderkins’ pocketbook,” declared Mr. -Sandow. - -“I did not!” indignantly denied Tom, and he explained what had really -happened. - -“I believe the boy’s right,” declared a middle-aged man in the throng. - -“What do you know about it?” asked Mr. Sandow roughly. - -“I was walking right behind this old gentleman,” was the reply, and -the man indicated the physician. “I saw his pocketbook partly out of -his pocket, and I was just going to tell him to look out for it, when -he turned into the book store. Then I thought if it fell out he would -hear it drop, and pick it up, and I passed on. When I saw the crowd -collecting I turned back.” - -“Ah, I told you this boy was not a thief!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins. - -“You don’t know whether he is or not,” muttered Barton Sandow. - -“Do you want to make a charge?” asked the policeman, turning to the -aged physician. - -“Indeed I do not, officer. I know this boy to be honest. He used to -bring me books from Mr. Townsend’s store, and I am a good judge of -character.” - -“All right,” agreed the bluecoat. “You’re the person most interested, -and you ought to know what you want to do. Now then, move on, you -people,” he said to the crowd which was growing larger. “It’s all over. -No arrest is going to be made.” - -“I’m much obliged to you, sir,” said Tom to the man who had testified -in his favor. “And to you, Dr. Spidderkins, for believing in me.” - -“Oh, that’s all right,” answered the middle-aged man. “I’m glad I could -do you a good turn.” - -The crowd began to disperse, and Mr. Sandow, with a spiteful look at -Tom, hurried off up the street. - -“He acts as though he had a grudge against me,” thought Tom. “I wonder -why?” - -“There!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins, “my brother-in-law has gone off, -without giving me a cent of money, and I want to buy this book. What -shall I do? Oh, my memory is getting something very bad! I shall have -to get a secretary.” - -“I’d lend the money to you, only I haven’t any,” said Tom. “I’m to get -fifty cents for delivering this bundle, but I won’t have that until I -return.” - -“I’ll take the will for the deed,” replied the old doctor, with a -twinkle in his eyes. “Perhaps the bookseller will trust me, or hold the -book for me.” - -The proprietor of the store, who had been in the rear, and had not -noticed the commotion in front of his place, now came out as he saw a -possible customer. He at once recognized Dr. Spidderkins, who was a -well-known character in the book stores of the entire city. The man at -once agreed to let the physician take the book home, and pay for it -when he liked. He even loaned him some money for car fare, since the -first five cents he had paid a conductor, on leaving home, had been all -the cash available. - -Now that everything was satisfactorily adjusted Tom hurried off with -the books. He delivered them safely, received his money, and arranged -to call the following day, to see if there were any errands he might -do. As he was starting toward home, for it was so late that he did not -believe it worth while to look any farther for work that day, he was -hailed by Charley Grove. - -“Hello, Tom,” called his chum. “I thought you were comin’ over and see -a fellow.” - -“I meant to, some evening, Charley, but I had to work late around -Christmas time, and since then I’ve been looking for a place, and I -haven’t had much time.” - -“What’s the matter; did you get discharged?” - -“Not exactly, but there was no more work for me after the holidays.” - -“I see,” declared Charley shortly. “Why don’t you learn to be a -telephone boy?” - -“Wish I might; but where could I? Every place I go they want -experienced help, but how’s a fellow ever to get any experience if he -never has a chance to learn?” - -“That’s so. Maybe I could teach you something about it. Our office -closes early, and there’d be plenty of chances to learn.” - -“I wish you would.” - -“I’ll speak to the boss about it to-morrow, and let you know. I stand -in pretty good with him.” - -The next evening Charley left word at Tom’s house (for our hero was -absent, delivering some books for the second-hand dealer) that the -broker had consented to allow Tom to learn how to operate a small -private exchange switchboard. - -When Tom got home, later that evening, he went over to Charley’s house, -and they completed the arrangements. The following afternoon Tom -presented himself at the broker’s office. Business was over for the -day, and save for two bookkeepers and Charley, the place was deserted. - -Thereupon, Charley initiated Tom into the mysteries of the plugs, the -weighted cords, the switches, cams and the push buttons that constitute -a private exchange. - -“Do you think it will take me long to learn it?” asked Tom, as he made -imaginary connections. - -“No. A week or so, and then you can get a good job. I learned in a -week. Wait now, and we’ll practice. I’ll make believe I’m the boss.” - - - - -CHAPTER X - -GETTING A PLACE - - -Charley went into one of the inner offices, where there was a telephone -connected with the switchboard. - -“Now when you see that little black thing drop,” he called to Tom, “you -want to take up one of these plugs, which are attached to wires, though -they call ’em cords, and plug it into the hole under where the black -thing drops.” - -“What’s that black thing?” asked Tom. - -“That’s the visual signal. There’s a buzzer that goes with it, but I -cut the buzzer out, because it makes my head ache,” answered Charley, -who was rather free and easy in his manners and talk. “Then,” he went -on, “you want to take off the receiver, ’cause there ain’t no head and -ear piece here, and listen to get the number. When I tell you a number -you want to repeat it to central. And say, don’t let them central girls -bluff you. Some of ’em are too tart. Think you understand now? If you -do I’ll try you out.” - -“Go ahead,” answered Tom, and Charley closed the door. - -Presently the “little black thing” dropped. Tom pulled up a plug and -inserted it into the proper hole. - -“Get me one-eight-two-seven, Oxford,” called Charley over the wire. Tom -repeated the number to the central girl. - -In a moment he heard the girl’s voice over the wire: - -“One-eight-two-seven, Oxford, doesn’t answer.” - -“Aw, what ye givin’ us!” exclaimed Charley, “cutting” into the -conversation. “Ring ’em again, Flossie.” - -“I’ll give you the manager,” came the girl’s voice over the wire again, -and there was a frigid tone in it. - -“Say, she must be a new one on this circuit,” remarked Charley to Tom -through the instrument. “The regular girl don’t care if you have a -little joke with her. Guess I’d better go slow. Listen now.” - -Soon a man’s voice was heard asking what was wanted, and Charley, -talking back to him said he was sure there must be some one in at the -number he called. - -“The operator will try again for you,” said the manager. - -Soon Tom heard a voice he recognized as that of a boy asking: - -“What’s the matter? What ye ringin’ that way fer?” - -“Hello, Pete!” called Charley. “That you?” - -“Sure. This you, Charley?” - -“Of course. Say, ain’t you stayin’ kinder late?” - -“Yep. The boss went off, an’ left me a lot of letters to copy. What you -doin’ in your office?” - -“Oh, I’m teachin’ a friend of mine how to run the switchboard. Let me -introduce you to him. Hey, Tom Baldwin, that’s my friend, Pete Lansing, -on the other end of the wire.” - -“Glad to meet you,” answered Tom, thinking this was a novel form of -introduction. - -“Same to you. Keep the change!” exclaimed Pete with a laugh. He seemed -to be the same jolly sort of a lad Charley was. “Call me up again. I’ve -got to get these letters done to put in the mail,” he added. - -“So long!” called Charley. - -“Good-by,” supplemented Tom, and then a click in the receiver told that -Pete had disconnected. - -“See how it’s done?” asked Charley, coming from the inner room. - -“A little,” answered Tom. - -“Now it’s different when some one calls up, and wants a member of the -firm,” went on his mentor. “If central would only ring up I’d show----” - -Just then one of the black signals fell. - -“Here comes a call now,” said Charley. “It’s just in time. Here, you -take up a plug from right under the drop, and you jab it in the hole. -Then you throw this little cam or handle down, and you ask ’em who they -want. Go ahead now.” - -Tom listened, and heard a distant voice asking if this was the -brokerage firm in whose office the boys were. - -“Yes,” replied Tom. - -“Is Mr. Simpson in?” the voice asked. - -“He wants Mr. Simpson,” whispered Tom to Charley. - -“Tell him he’s gone for the day,” was the telephone boy’s answer. “Ask -him if he wants to leave any message. If he does I’d better take it.” - -Tom did as he was told, but the man on the other end of the wire said -he would call up in the morning. - -“Pull out the plug,” directed Charley, when the drop fell once more. -“He’s done. Now, if he had wanted one of the partners, all you’d -have to do would be to take up the other cord, plug it into the hole -connected with the particular ’phone on that’s wanted, and punch the -button opposite the hole. That rings a bell in whatever office is -wanted. See how easy it is?” - -“I don’t think it’s very easy,” remarked Tom, “but maybe I’ll learn it -after a while.” - -“Of course you will. Come on, now, we’ll practice some more.” - -Which the two boys did, for an hour longer, Charley giving Tom actual -practice calling up newspaper offices to ask about certain events. - -“The newspaper fellows are all right,” declared Charley. “They’ll tell -you anything they can, and never kick, ’cause they know people are -liable to give ’em tips on stories. And you want to be awful polite to -customers that call up, ’cause they might report you if you wasn’t. -But don’t let them central girls jolly you. Sometimes they’ll keep you -waiting five minutes for a number. Just tell ’em what you want, an’ say -you want it quick.” - -“I guess I could get along,” answered Tom, “if I only had a place to -get along in. I mean a job like yours.” - -“Oh, you’ll git it in time,” declared Charley confidently. - -As it was getting close toward six o’clock, when the office building -in which Charley worked was to be closed for the night, the boys left, -Tom arranging to come as often as he could to take lessons on how to -manipulate a switchboard. - -During the next two weeks he had frequent occasion to take advantage of -Charley’s tutoring, for, search as he did, Tom could find no permanent -position. He had several places for a day or so at a time, and managed -to earn a little money running errands for the second-hand book dealer, -but he did not make much more than his expenses. - -Had it not been that Mrs. Baldwin and her sister had plenty of sewing -to do, the little family would have been sorely pressed for money. - -“It’s discouraging; isn’t it, Tom?” said his mother one night, when he -had come home from a hard day tramping about. - -“Well, I’m getting sort of hardened to it,” was his plucky answer. -“Maybe I’ll get a job to-morrow, mother.” - -He had said that every night for the past two weeks. - -But the next day something happened. While Tom was at his breakfast the -door bell rang, and, answering it, the while wondering who the early -caller could be, Tom saw Charley Grove. - -“Hello, Tom,” greeted his chum. “Had your breakfast? Come on, hurry up.” - -“What’s the matter? A fire?” - -“I’ve got a chance to get you a job.” - -“A job? Where?” - -“In a lawyer’s office. I’ve been keeping watch of the ads. in the -paper, and this mornin’ there’s one in for a boy in the same building -where I am. A big firm of lawyers want a boy to manage their private -telephone exchange. Hurry up down and get it.” - -“Maybe they want some one who is more experienced than I am.” - -“What? With me t’ recommend you?” asked Charley incredulously. “Aw, -come on. Hurry up!” - -Filled with delightful anticipations Tom hurried. Charley took him to -the office in question, which was on the tenth floor of a big building -on Washington Street. Early as it was there were several boys in the -corridor, waiting for the place to open. - -“We’re too late,” said Tom. - -“You’ve got as good a show as any of ’em. You’ll git a chance t’ see -one of the lawyers, and when you do, jest up and tell him you was my -assistant. They know it takes a good boy to work a board in a broker’s -office.” - -“But I wasn’t your assistant.” - -“Well, tell ’em I taught you. That’ll do.” - -Charley had to leave Tom, to go to his own duties, and a little later, -the offices of the law firm were opened. The boys were admitted in -turn, and at last it came Tom’s chance. - -Luckily he kept his head, and answered the questions the lawyer asked -him so intelligently, and told so frankly just what had been his -telephone exchange experience, that the lawyer remarked encouragingly: - -“I believe you’ll do.” - -Tom’s heart gave a bound. Fortunately he had several good letters -of recommendation, and, after a few more details had been settled, -our hero found himself engaged to take charge of the switchboard in -the private exchange of the big law firm, the boy who had previously -managed it having been discharged for incompetency. - -“Won’t mother be glad!” exclaimed Tom, and he wished he could hurry -home and tell her, but as the firm needed an operator at once, Tom had -to start right in. At last he had what he felt was a good position. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -TOM MAKES A DISCOVERY - - -But if our hero imagined that working a telephone switchboard in the -office of a big law firm was going to be as easy as it was to practice -with his chum, Tom was grievously disappointed. Soon after he took his -seat in front of the board, with its maze of cords, plugs, holes, cams -and push buttons, he had a call for one of the partners. There were -three members of the firm, which was known officially as Boise, Keen & -Cutler. Mr. Boise was the senior member and Elias Cutler the junior. - -It was Mr. Keen, a pleasant middle-aged man, who had hired Tom, and he -showed the boy how to make the connections to the telephones in the -offices of various members of the firm. There were also three clerks, -each one of whom had an instrument. - -At first, as it was early morning, only a few calls came in, and these -Tom easily managed. The lawyers only had occasion to call up outside -parties once or twice, and Tom had no difficulty in getting the desired -numbers. But, as the day advanced, and more business began to come in -on the wire, the boy soon found he had his hands full. - -“I guess it isn’t going to be as easy as I thought,” he said to -himself, as he placed plug after plug in the holes, and worked the cams -and buttons as fast as he could. - -About noon some one called for Mr. Boise, and Tom put the plug of the -cord in the hole he thought connected with the instrument on the desk -of the head of the firm. Then a call came for Mr. Keen, but, while Tom -was making that connection the door of Mr. Cutler’s office opened, and -that individual fairly rushed out. - -“What’s the matter with you?” he asked Tom, rather savagely. “Don’t you -know enough to operate a switchboard?” - -“Why--why--what’s wrong?” asked Tom innocently. - -“Why, you’ve put the party who wanted Mr. Boise on my wire, and you -spoilt a long distance call I had to Taunton. Now I’ve got to call -up again, and maybe I’ll lose my party. Why don’t you make the right -connections?” - -“I--I thought I did, Mr. Cutler.” - -“Well, thinking so isn’t going to mend matters. Now give the party -that’s on my wire to Mr. Boise, and then see if you can get central -for me. I never saw such a poor operator,” he murmured, as he went back -into his office and slammed the door. - -Mr. Boise came out of his office then. He had evidently heard what the -junior partner said. - -“Try and be a little more careful, Tom,” he remarked kindly. “I know -you are new at it, and you’ll get along all right after a while. Don’t -be afraid to ask questions. It’s better to be sure than sorry, you -know. That’s an old adage, but it’s a good one. Have you changed the -party to my wire?” - -“Yes, sir,” answered Tom, grateful for the kind manner in which the -head of the firm spoke. - -Tom could not help being a little nervous, but he kept a good grip on -himself, shut his teeth firmly together and resolved to make no more -mistakes that day. He was glad when the noon hour came, as he could go -out and get something to eat, and, while he was gone, one of the junior -clerks operated the switchboard. Tom went to a little restaurant where -Charley Grove had promised to meet him. - -“Well,” asked his chum, “how’d you make out?” - -“Pretty well, I guess. I made a couple of blunders, and Mr. Cutler, the -junior partner, scolded me.” - -“Aw, don’t mind that. Tell him it was the central girl’s fault.” - -“But it wasn’t.” - -“Aw, how do they know? I always blame the girls. They’re used to it, -and, besides, the bosses never see ’em, so it don’t make no difference.” - -“I don’t think I’d like to do that. I’ll catch on to it after a while.” - -“Sure you will. What are you goin’ to eat?” - -Then the boys began to discuss the bill of fare, and were soon enjoying -their lunch as only hungry boys can. - -“What time do you get through?” asked Charley. - -“Five o’clock, Mr. Boise said.” - -“How much wages do you get?” - -“Nine dollars a week, and I’m to get ten after I’ve been there a while.” - -“That’s pretty good, for a start. I’m going to strike the boss for -another dollar soon. I’m worth more than ten a week to ’em. Why, -there’s thousands of dollars of business goes over my ’phone every -hour, and I ought to get more than ten.” - -“I hope you do,” said Tom cordially. “But say, Charley, I wish you’d do -me a favor.” - -“What is it? Want any money? I ain’t got much, ’cause I went to the -theatre twice this week.” - -“No, it isn’t money. I have enough for a few days yet, until I get -paid. But I wish you’d stop at my house, on your way home, and tell my -mother I have a good place. She’ll be anxious to know, and I have no -way to send her word.” - -“Sure, I’ll do it. But ain’t there some place near there you can call -up on the wire, and ask ’em to take the message to her? I do that -sometimes, when I’m comin’ home late.” - -“No, I don’t know of any place but the drug store, and they might -charge for sending a message. Besides, maybe the firm wouldn’t like me -to use the telephone for my private affairs.” - -“Aw, it don’t make any difference to them. They pay for the wire by the -year, and you can use it as often as you like. But I’ll stop and tell -your mother. I quit at three o’clock. There’s no brokerage business -done after that.” - -Tom went back to the switchboard, glad to think his mother would know -of his success sooner than he hoped to be able to inform her. During -the afternoon he acquired more confidence in himself, and, though once -or twice he gave central the wrong numbers, from imperfectly catching -them as they were repeated by the members of the firm, Mr. Boise and -Mr. Keen did not get angry over the errors. Tom was congratulating -himself that he was going to get through the day without further -offending Mr. Cutler, when that individual called for a certain number. - -Tom gave it to central, and, having made the connections threw up the -cam, in order not to listen to what was being said. Then he leaned back -in his chair, for he was tired, and the receiver of the telephone, -which was fastened to his head by a spring clip, that held it in place -so he could use both hands, made his ear ache. He wished he could take -it off. - -One of the black signal disks dropped, and Tom, depressing the cam, to -ask what was wanted, heard Mr. Cutler speaking to him. - -“There you go again!” exclaimed the irate lawyer. “You have given me -the wrong number. I called for one-six-four-three, Chelsea, and you -have given me one-four-six-three. That’s a police station. What do I -want of a police station?” - -“I’m sorry,” murmured Tom. “I’ll get the right number for you.” - -“That was my mistake,” came another voice over the wire--the central -girl’s voice. “I beg your pardon,” she added. - -“That’s all right,” said Tom pleasantly. He wished Mr. Cutler could -have heard the explanation, but the lawyer, in disgust, had hung up his -receiver until Tom should get him the right connection. - -“I thought I didn’t give the wrong number,” mused the boy. “I hope I -don’t do anything more to annoy Mr. Cutler. He seems to get angry very -easily.” - -Tom was glad when it was time to go home, and he found his mother and -aunt ready to welcome him, for Charley had told them the good news. - -“I’m so glad!” exclaimed Mrs. Baldwin. “This is the best place you’ve -had yet.” - -“And so refined,” added Miss Ramsey. “I always wanted a lawyer in the -family, and now Tom has a chance to be one.” - -“I’m afraid it will be a good many years before I can learn law over -the switchboard, Aunt Sallie.” - -“Oh, but you will have opportunities. I think it is better to be a -lawyer than a bookseller.” - -“Especially as I haven’t any chance to become a bookseller,” added Tom -with a laugh. “Well, mother, is there anything I can do for you?” - -“Yes, Tom; I have just finished some sewing for Mrs. Crawford Leeth. I -wish you would take it home, when I have made out the bill. I think she -will pay you, for she owes me for some other work, and she promised to -settle for it all when I sent this waist home. So please ask her, if -she doesn’t offer to give you the money.” - -“I will, mother. I suppose I’d better not sit on this, in case the car -is crowded,” he added with a smile. - -“Mercy sakes, no!” exclaimed his aunt. “It has some valuable lace on -it. Be very careful of it, Tom.” - -It was quite a long ride to where Mrs. Leeth lived, and it was nearly -eight o’clock when Tom arrived. The house was a fine one, in an -exclusive residential section, and the door was opened by a colored -butler. - -“Here’s the dress for Mrs. Leeth,” said Tom. - -“I’ll take it,” replied the butler. - -“But I want to see Mrs. Leeth,” insisted Tom, who had in mind his -mother’s injunction to get the money. - -“She am busy.” - -“Then I’ll wait,” said Tom firmly, and, holding on to the package, -which the butler offered to take from him, he stepped into the hall, -and sat down. - -“I’ll tell her about it,” promised the colored man, “but she hab some -company, an’ I know she won’t see you.” - -“You might take her this,” suggested Tom, handing the colored man the -bill. - -The butler vanished behind some hanging plush portieres, and came back -presently to say: - -“She’ll be heah immejeet, but she doan’t laik to be ’sturbed when she -hab company. She am very indignant.” - -“She is, eh?” thought Tom. “So would my mother be if I didn’t come back -with the money.” - -Presently there was a swish of silken skirts, and a handsomely-dressed -woman came into the reception hall where Tom sat. - -“Have you brought my dress, boy?” she asked sharply. - -“Yes, ma’am,” answered Tom, rising. - -“You are more than two hours late with it. I wanted it to wear this -evening, and I am much disappointed.” - -“I brought it as soon as it was finished. I think there was more work -on it than my mother thought.” - -“She should learn to calculate better then, and not disappoint her -customers. You may lay it on the table there, and tell her I am -displeased that it is late.” - -“She asked me to bring back the money for it,” said Tom boldly, -determined not to be awed by the airs of this society matron. “I gave -the butler the bill.” - -“Yes, I have it; but it is not convenient for me to pay it now.” - -“My mother particularly wished it, Mrs. Leeth.” - -“Probably, but I have no change in the house.” - -“I can take a check,” said Tom. - -“My husband is at his office downtown, and he will not be home until -late. I will send your mother a check to-morrow.” - -“If you will allow me, I will go down to your husband’s office,” -suggested the boy. “You can write him a note, authorizing him to give -me a check for the bill. Or you can telephone him,” he added, seeing an -instrument in the rear of the hall. - -The woman seemed rather annoyed at Tom’s suggestion, but she had no -good excuse ready. Rather reluctantly, therefore, she telephoned to her -husband at his office, and told him a boy would presently call on him -with a bill, for which she requested Mr. Leeth to make out a check. - -“Thank you,” said Tom, when Mrs. Leeth had given him the business -address of her husband. - -“I don’t believe I shall have your mother do any more work for me,” -said the handsomely-dressed woman haughtily. “She disappointed me so -this evening, by not having my waist here on time.” - -Tom said nothing, but he rather thought his mother would not care to -work for a customer who was so exacting, and so careless about pay. - -Tom was soon at the big office building where Mr. Leeth had a suite of -rooms. Though it was nine o’clock there were lights in several of the -windows, for, it appeared, some of the tenants were working overtime. -Mr. Leeth was agent for a big manufacturing concern. - -Tom had to climb several flights of stairs to Mr. Leeth’s office. He -found that gentleman in, and soon had received a check, which he knew -would please his mother. - -“Just receipt the bill,” requested Mr. Leeth. - -While Tom was signing his name to the receipt for the money, the office -door opened, and some one came in. The boy did not look up to see who -it was, but he heard Mr. Leeth exclaim: - -“Ah, come right in. I’ve been waiting for you. Did you bring the papers -and the cash?” - -“Yes, but I had a hard time getting the money. The old doctor is -getting rather suspicious of late. I trusted his faulty memory----” - -The speaker paused suddenly, evidently in response to a warning gesture -from Mr. Leeth, for the newcomer had not observed Tom, who was standing -at a desk behind the door. - -“Thank you, sir,” said our hero, as he folded up the check, put it in -his pocket, and prepared to leave. As he turned he came face to face -with Barton Sandow. - -It would be hard to say who was the more surprised, the man or Tom. Mr. -Sandow started, and seemed about to say something. - -“Ah, are you acquainted?” asked Mr. Leeth in surprise. - -“I have met Mr. Sandow,” replied Tom, while Dr. Spidderkins’ -brother-in-law murmured something unintelligible. Then, as the man who -had called Tom a gutter-pup did not notice him, the boy passed out. - -“I wonder what he’s doing in there?” our hero thought, as he walked -down the dimly-lighted corridors. “And he must have been referring to -Dr. Spidderkins, when he spoke of the money and papers. I wonder if -the old doctor is safe with those two?” he went on, as he thought of -the queer actions of Mr. and Mrs. Sandow, and how incapable the aged -physician, with his failing memory, was of looking out for his own -interests. - -Though he did not know it then, Tom had made quite a discovery that -night. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -SEEKING INFORMATION - - -Though he was very busy the next day, Tom could not help thinking, -several times, of the scene he had witnessed the night before, when he -received the check. - -“I wish I had listened more closely to what Sandow said,” he mused. -“If I had known it was he, I would have done so. Let me see, it was -something about bringing the money and the papers, and that he had -a hard time getting the money because the old doctor was getting -suspicious. Then he said something about trusting to his faulty memory, -and that was all. - -“I’m sure he must have referred to Dr. Spidderkins. I don’t like the -look of that Sandow, and his wife isn’t much better. From what I’ve -seen they have the old gentleman right under their thumb, and I guess -they could almost make him believe black was white, because he can’t -remember five minutes at a time, unless it has to do with some book. I -wish I knew whether they were doing anything to make trouble for him. -Maybe I’d better speak to some one about it.” - -But, the more Tom thought of it, the less he liked to mention it to -any member of the firm for whom he worked. He had not been there long -enough to venture on any confidences, and he realized that the lawyers -were too busy to pay attention to any matters that did not directly -concern them. - -“I guess I’ll ask a few questions of Charley Grove,” he concluded. -“I’ll see him this noon at the restaurant.” - -Tom made no mistakes that morning, and was in better spirits when he -went out for his noonday meal. He found his chum waiting for him, and, -when he had a chance, spoke of his trip the night previous, to get the -check. - -“That woman thought she was going to put me off,” said Tom, “but -I guess I surprised her, when I offered to go for the cash. I met -Barton Sandow in Mr. Leeth’s office,” he added, as though it was of no -importance. - -“I don’t like that fellow,” replied Charley. “He was in our office -to-day, buying some stocks, and he called me down because I didn’t get -his number quick enough for him. I didn’t dare say anything, ’cause -the boss was standing right there, but I took my own time making the -connection for him.” - -“Who did he call up?” asked Tom. - -“Why, that fellow you were telling me about--Mr. Leeth. But I couldn’t -hear what he said, as I had to take care of a lot of calls from -customers then. We have five trunk lines on our switchboard. How many -have you?” - -“Only three. Say, do you suppose there’s any truth in what you told me, -about Sandow wanting to get hold of Dr. Spidderkins’ money?” - -“Shouldn’t wonder,” answered Charley easily. “You could take most -anything you wanted away from Doc. Spidderkins now, and he wouldn’t -know it, if you gave him a book to look at. He’s daffy on books, every -one says.” - -“But he’s a very fine old gentleman.” - -“You bet he is. Better that Barton Sandow. I wish I had a chance to -call Sandow down, for being so fresh with me,” added Charley, for the -matter of the telephone call seemed to rankle in his mind. - -“He called me a mean name, once,” said Tom, telling of the day when he -had gone into Sandow’s office, to look for work. - -That afternoon, just before closing time, Mr. Boise, the head of the -law firm, came out to the switchboard. - -“How are you getting on?” he asked Tom, pleasantly. - -“Pretty well, sir.” - -“That’s good. I think you’ll learn to be quite expert in time. I want -you to do a little errand for me on your way home,” he added, and Tom -saw that he had a bundle of papers in his hand. “Do you know where Dr. -Spidderkins lives?” - -“Why, yes,” replied Tom, wondering what was coming. - -“That’s good. Then you’re acquainted in the Back Bay section?” - -“Not very well, but I carried books to the doctor’s house several -times, when I worked for Mr. Townsend.” - -“Oh, yes, I had forgotten about that. Well, I wish you would take these -papers to him, and tell him that I have attended to all his requests. -The land matters are all in good shape now, and the estate books are -all balanced. Can you remember that, or shall I write a note?” - -“Oh, I can remember it. Are you his lawyers?” - -“Yes; we do considerable business for him.” - -“A chum of mine--Charley Grove, whom Dr. Spidderkins used to -attend--says the doctor is quite rich,” went on Tom, thinking this a -good chance to get some more information. - -“Yes; he is quite wealthy,” said Mr. Boise. “His estate is a large -one. Most of it came to him through his father, and his brother left -him some when he died. That, together with the doctor’s own property, -makes him very well-to-do. But he is so forgetful that we have to make -memoranda of everything for him.” - -“I’ve had some experience with his short memory,” remarked Tom, smiling -at the recollection. - -“Now don’t forget to impress the message on him,” cautioned Mr. Boise, -“and watch where he puts the papers you give him. Just as likely as not -he’ll call on me some day, and say he never received them.” - -“I will,” promised Tom, and, when it came time for him to lay aside -the telephone head-piece, he did so with a feeling of relief, for he -welcomed the long trolley ride to the Back Bay district, even though it -would bring him home rather late. - -Mrs. Sandow opened the door when our hero arrived at the Spidderkins’ -mansion. - -“Here are some papers for Dr. Spidderkins,” said Tom. - -“I’ll give ’em to him, then you won’t have to come in and get mud all -over my clean floors,” she said, scowling at Tom. - -“But I have a particular message to give the doctor.” - -“Oh, well, then you can come in, I suppose,” but Mrs. Sandow did not -speak very graciously. - -“Ah, glad to see you,” greeted the aged physician, who, for a wonder, -did not forget Tom this time. “When are you going to bring me my -books? I ordered some of Mr. Townsend to-day.” - -“I’m not there any more.” - -“Oh, that’s so. I forgot. Let’s see, you told me where you were -employed, but my wretched memory has made me forget it.” - -“I don’t believe I told you,” replied Tom, “but I’m with Boise, Keen & -Cutler. I have brought you some papers from them.” - -“Oh, yes. I told them to send up the documents, but I had forgotten -all about it. I have secured quite a rare book, an early edition of -Smollett, and that drove everything else out of my mind. But come into -my study.” - -He led the way into a room, the walls of which were lined with row -after row of books. Tom gave him the papers and delivered the message, -then, in obedience with the instructions of Mr. Boise, the lad watched -to see where Dr. Spidderkins would put the documents. - -“I’ll lay them on this shelf,” the doctor said, “right under this -volume of Fielding. Ah, that is a rare and valuable work. Then I’ll -remember where the papers are. I picked up that book on Fielding the -same day I got the first edition of Plutarch’s Lives--no, I’m wrong--it -was the day I secured, in a second-hand book store, the complete -edition of Dickens, with the original illustrations. Queer, how some -things will slip out of my mind.” - -“Do you think you’ll remember where the papers are now, doctor?” asked -Tom. - -“Oh, yes, indeed I will. I have occasion to look at the volume of -Balzac every day, and----” - -“But I thought you said you was going to put them under a book on -baseball fielding.” - -“Baseball fielding! Oh! Ha! Ha! I see. You thought I was going in for -sport! No, no, my dear young friend; Fielding is the name of an early -English novelist. But I did say Fielding, and not Balzac. There! My -memory is getting more and more wretched every day!” - -“I guess I don’t know much about books,” admitted Tom. - -“Well, you’ll learn. I’m much obliged to you, for bringing the papers. -There, I’ve put them under Mr. Fielding’s book--not the baseball -fielding, remember, Tom--and they’ll be safe until I want them, and I -shan’t forget where they are.” - -“If you do I’ll try and help you remember,” said the boy with a laugh. - -Tom bade the doctor good-night, and started out of the door. As he -opened the portal, and stepped into the faintly-lighted hall, he -thought he heard the rustle of a woman’s dress, and he was almost sure -he saw a figure hastily disappearing around the corner. - -“That must have been Mrs. Sandow,” thought Tom, “and I believe she was -listening at the doctor’s door. There’s something queer going on in -this house, and I wish I knew what it was.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE - - -There was a slight accident on the trolley line that night, when Tom -was going home. A truck got stalled on the track, and it was nearly -midnight when he got to the house, where he found his mother anxiously -waiting for him. - -“You poor boy!” she exclaimed. “Where have you been? Did you have your -supper?” - -“Oh, yes. When I found the trolleys were blocked I got out of the car, -which happened to be near a small restaurant, and I had a nice little -meal. I had to go to Dr. Spidderkins’ house for Mr. Boise.” - -“I think you have a good deal of night work to do, Tom.” - -“Well, I’m the youngest member of the firm,” replied her son jokingly. -“I’ve got to do the hard work until I rise in my profession.” - -Tom fell asleep vainly wondering whether or not he had better mention -to Mr. Boise the suspicions he had concerning Barton Sandow and his -wife. But, in the morning, he decided he had better not interfere with -what did not concern him. - -“I’ll wait until I have some better proof, before I say anything,” he -thought. “Maybe I’m making a mountain out of a mole-hill.” - -For a week or more events went along smoothly at the law office where -Tom was employed. He was getting to be quite expert at the switchboard, -and seldom made a mistake. - -Try as he did, however, he could not seem to please Mr. Cutler. That -lawyer was continually finding fault, even when Tom got for him the -required connections in almost record-breaking time. - -“You’re worse than the other boy we had!” exclaimed the junior member -one day, when Tom had cut him off a second or two before he was -through. Then Mr. Cutler strode into the room occupied by Mr. Boise. As -he left the door partly open Tom could not help hearing part of what -was said. - -“Why don’t you discharge that boy and hire a good one?” asked the -junior partner, wrathfully. - -“What boy?” asked Mr. Boise, who had a habit of becoming so deeply -immersed in thinking of a case, that often questions had to be repeated -several times. - -“That telephone boy--Tom Baldwin. He’s more bother than he’s worth.” - -“Why, I thought he was doing good work. I have no trouble getting my -connections. What seems to be the difficulty?” - -“Well--er--I don’t know exactly--but he doesn’t seem to be up to the -mark. I think we ought to have another boy.” - -“I am sorry I can’t agree with you, Mr. Cutler,” Tom heard Mr. Boise -say. “Mr. Keen engaged Tom, and he spoke well of his qualifications. -The boy has a mother and an aged aunt partly dependent on him, and he -was out of work for some time before coming to us. He learned how to -work a switchboard, hoping to get a place, and now he has one I don’t -feel we should discharge him--especially when there is no good cause -for it.” - -“Well, I only mentioned it,” said Mr. Cutler, rather weakly. “Perhaps -he’ll do all right, but he makes mistakes.” - -“So we all do,” remarked Mr. Boise. “I think Tom will be all right.” - -Then the door was closed, and Tom could hear no more. But what he had -heard told him two things, one of which he knew before. He was made -aware that Mr. Boise was very friendly to him, and he realized that Mr. -Cutler had some grudge against him, though what it could be our hero -could not imagine. - -“It can’t be about the telephone calls,” reasoned the lad, “for I -haven’t made but one error on his wire in nearly a week, and that was -a small one--cutting him off. He was through, anyhow, for the party on -the other end of the wire had said ‘good-by.’ But I’m glad Mr. Boise -stuck up for me.” - -That afternoon, toward the close of the day’s business, as Tom was -sitting in front of the switchboard, idly wondering where the next call -would come from, one of the black drops fell. He plugged in a wire, and -asked: - -“Whom did you wish to speak to?” - -Back came the answer, in a voice that startled Tom, for he knew he had -heard it somewhere before: - -“Is Mr. Cutler in?” - -“I’ll connect you with him. Hold the wire,” directed Tom, and he made -doubly sure that he put the right plug in the right hole, so that the -person could speak to the junior partner. - -As soon as this connection was made there came another call, for Mr. -Boise. The head of the firm was soon conversing with a client, and then -a third drop fell. - -“Well, the day is going to wind up with a rush,” thought Tom. “Whom -did you wish?” he asked politely. - -“I want to talk to Mr. Cutler,” spoke a woman’s voice. - -“He is busy now. If you will hold the wire, I’ll let you speak to him -as soon as he has finished.” - -“Very well. Don’t forget it. It’s very important.” - -“I’ll not. Just hold the wire.” - -Then, as was his custom, when a party was waiting for one of the -law-firm members who was already engaged on the wire, Tom depressed the -cam which enabled him to hear whether Mr. Cutler and the speaker whose -voice had so startled the boy, were finished. Tom, as he “cut in” heard -Mr. Cutler saying: - -“Yes, yes, I’ll attend to it for you. The plan ought to work, but -you’ve got to be careful.” - -Then, before he shut off the connection through his own instrument, he -heard the man on the other end of the wire say: - -“I’ve got the papers all right. The forgetful old dotard left them in -his study, and my wife heard him and the boy talking about them. I’ve -got ’em all right, and he’ll never remember anything about them. I -guess they ought to be worth something, eh?” - -“Yes, indeed,” Mr. Cutler replied. “The estate is a big one, and -there’s no reason why you and I shouldn’t have a share. I guess we can -work it without any one knowing anything about it. I’ll call you up in -a few days Mr.----” - -“No names!” cautioned the other quickly. - -“All right,” answered Mr. Cutler with a laugh. “I understand. Good-by.” - -Tom knew that the conversation was finished, and that he could give the -waiting lady the junior partner on the wire. But he hesitated a moment -before pulling out the plugs, and readjusting them. - -“I’ve heard that man’s voice before,” he mused. “I know it well. Who -can it be?” - -Then there came over the wire the voice of the man in question. It -seemed that he had forgotten something, though Mr. Cutler was busy -talking to the lady. - -“Hello! Hello!” he called. “I say! I forgot something. Wait a moment, -Mr. Cutler!” - -“Mr. Cutler is busy on another wire,” replied Tom. “If you wait I can -get him back for you?” - -“Who is this speaking?” asked the man’s voice, and there seemed to be a -note of fear in it. - -“This is the private exchange operator.” - -“I know that, but who are you? What’s your name?” - -“Tom Baldwin. Do you wish me to get Mr. Cutler on the wire for you?” - -[Illustration: “No!” came the sudden answer. _Page 110._] - -“No!” came the sudden answer, and the man hung up his receiver with a -bang that made a loud click in Tom’s ear. - -Then, like a flash there came to our hero the recognition of the voice. - -“That was Barton Sandow speaking!” he exclaimed softly. “I’m pretty -sure it was, and I believe he was talking about that Spidderkins estate -and those papers I took to the doctor!” - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -SANDOW IS ALARMED - - -Tom hardly knew what to do. As he finished his work that afternoon, -and started toward home, he had half a mind to go and tell Dr. -Spidderkins what he had heard. Then he reflected that he could say -nothing definite, and that, after all, the mysterious message might be -a perfectly proper one. It might refer to some other person than the -eccentric doctor. - -“But one thing I’m pretty certain of,” thought Tom, “and that is the -voice I heard was that of Barton Sandow. Maybe I had better speak -to Mr. Boise about it. No, if I do that I’ll have to say Sandow was -talking to Mr. Cutler, and Mr. Boise will consult with him. Mr. Cutler -will accuse me of listening, when I really couldn’t help it, and I’ll -lose my place. - -“No, I can’t do that. I wish I knew some one I might consult with. -Perhaps Mr. Keen would be a good man. He seems kind, and I could ask -him to say nothing about it to Mr. Cutler. I’ll think that over.” - -Which Tom did, after he got to bed that night, but in the morning he -was as unsettled as ever. - -“I’ll not do anything until I’m more certain,” he decided. “But if Mr. -Sandow calls up Mr. Cutler on the wire again, I’ll listen to all he -says. I think I have a right to, for I believe he is up to something -wrong.” - -During the days that followed Tom became more and more expert at the -switchboard, so that even Mr. Cutler, anxious as he was to do so, could -find no fault with the lad. - -“Tom, I have some good news for you,” Mr. Keen said to him one Saturday -afternoon, when he was paying the telephone boy his weekly wages. “In -the first place Mr. Boise wants me to tell you that he is very well -satisfied with your work.” - -“I am glad of that.” - -“And, better than being merely glad about it, he has shown his -appreciation in a substantial way. Hereafter your wages will be eleven -dollars a week.” - -“Thank you, very much,” replied Tom, “and tell Mr. Boise that I -appreciate it.” - -“I think he knows that. He is a man who likes to help boys get along in -the world, and I am sure he will prove your friend.” - -Tom was delighted at the additional money every week, and he knew his -mother and aunt would share in his joy. He was now getting more than -Charley Grove, who had been at the switchboard over a year, for Charley -had not received the additional dollar he had “struck the boss for,” as -he expressed it. - -Tom thought this a good opportunity, when Mr. Keen was in such a -particularly kindly mood, to broach the subject of Barton Sandow, and -the mysterious message, but, just as he was about to mention it, a -telephone call came in, and he had to adjust the switchboard. The call -was for Mr. Keen, who had remained after the other members of the law -firm had departed, and when he had finished talking he hurried away, -before Tom had a chance to more than say “good-afternoon.” - -“I’ll speak to him Monday,” thought Tom, but, when Monday came, Mr. -Keen had to go out of town, and was away for several days. - -There came several dull days in the law office, when, for hours at a -time Tom would sit at the switchboard and not a call would come in. -This was rather tiresome, but he had to remain on duty, as there was no -telling when he would have to make the connections. - -“I wish I could read,” he thought. “Guess I’ll ask one of the clerks if -there’s any objection.” - -Accordingly, he broached the matter to the young fellow who relieved -him at the board during the noon hour. - -“Sure you can read, if you want to,” said the youth. “Why don’t you -start in to read law? This is a good chance. I used to have your job, -and one day I was reading a book of adventures. Mr. Boise saw me, and -wanted to know what it was. I told him, and I thought he’d object, but -he suggested that I start to study law in my spare moments. I did, -beginning on a simple book, and finally he made me a clerk. That gave -me more time, and I’ll be ready for the bar examinations in another -year.” - -“I never thought of that,” said Tom. “I believe I would like to know -something of law.” - -“I’ll lend you a book to start on,” said the clerk kindly, and he -handed Tom a volume that did not look very attractive. But Tom was not -easily discouraged, and he began it. He found it simpler than he had -expected, and he became quite interested in it. - -“What have you there?” asked Mr. Boise of him, one afternoon, as the -senior partner came in from a late lunch. “Is it the life of ‘Fearless -Frank, the Boy Scout,’ or ‘Death-Dealing Dick’? Oh, there’s no -objection to you reading,” he added hastily, as Tom started up in some -confusion. - -As he did so the book fell down, open, so that the title could be read. - -“Ah, the law primer,” remarked Mr. Boise. “I am glad to see this, Tom. -Not that there is anything wrong in reading a good book of adventure, -for I like that sort of a story myself, once in a while, but they are -not good as a steady diet. When you finish that book I will loan you -another.” - -He passed on, nodding his head in approval. - -Meanwhile, as the days passed, Tom was wondering why Barton Sandow did -not call up again. - -“Maybe I frightened him,” thought the telephone boy. - -That afternoon Mr. Keen called Tom into his office. - -“I want you to leave a little earlier to-day,” he said. “A client of -ours is coming to the Parker House. Do you know where that hotel is?” - -Tom well knew the location of the famous hotel, the rolls of which have -become a byword in many parts of the country. - -“I want you to take these papers to Mr. Jonathan Norris, who is -stopping there,” went on Mr. Keen. “Ask the clerk to show you to his -room, deliver the documents, and have him give you a receipt. He is -expecting them.” - -“What about the telephone?” asked Tom. - -“I will have one of the clerks look after it for you, while you are -gone. You need not come back, here to-night.” - -Tom liked that, as it would give him about an hour off. - -He found Mr. Norris without trouble, delivered the papers, and was -walking briskly toward the door of the main entrance, when he nearly -collided with Barton Sandow, who was hurriedly entering the hotel. - -“Excuse me,” said Tom. - -“What! You here!” exclaimed Sandow. “I thought--I----” - -He seemed quite startled, and Tom wondered what the matter could be. - -“Did I hurt you?” he asked. - -“Hurt me? No--but you----” - -Again Sandow seemed confused. - -“Was it you at the telephone switchboard the other day?” he asked, and -Tom wondered at the friendly tone he used. It was quite different from -the voice in which Mr. Barton Sandow had called our hero a “gutter-pup.” - -“Yes,” replied the boy. “You mean the day you called up Mr. Cutler?” - -“That’s the day. Did you hear what I said?” - -“Part of it,” answered Tom. - -“You did?” and Sandow seemed quite excited. - -“I could not help it. I had to come in on the wire to see if Mr. -Cutler was through, as a lady was anxious to talk to him.” - -“Oh, well, it doesn’t matter,” spoke Sandow, with an air of studied -indifference. “The message was of no importance. It was about some -property I own, and which is in litigation. Mr. Cutler is my lawyer. -It’s only a small matter.” - -Tom wondered if it was, why Mr. Sandow should seem so frightened over -something, for frightened the man certainly was. - -“I don’t suppose you reported what you heard to any one; did you?” -asked Sandow eagerly. - -“No, sir,” replied Tom quickly. “It is against orders to speak of the -firm’s business outside.” - -“That’s right, though in this case it doesn’t make any difference. It -was of small importance. The affair is closed up now. It was of no -importance whatever.” And Sandow passed on. - -“Well, if it wasn’t,” thought Tom, who had his own ideas on the -subject, “you’re taking a great deal of trouble to impress that fact on -me.” - -Wondering more than ever what sort of a game Sandow was playing, Tom -left the lobby of the hotel, and started toward home. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -MR. CUTLER’S VISITOR - - -“Well, Tom,” asked Mr. Keen, the next morning, “did you deliver the -papers?” - -“Yes, sir, and Mr. Norris said he would call on you this afternoon.” - -“Very good; I’ll be here. Now get me the surrogate’s office, in the -court house.” - -Tom had on a small card, the numbers of the places most frequently -called up by the members of the firm, in order to save the time of -looking in the telephone book, and he soon had the connection for Mr. -Keen. - -As our hero was going home that afternoon Mr. Keen gave him a message -to deliver to a client who lived in the suburbs, across the Charles -River. - -“It is quite important,” said the lawyer, “or I would not ask you to -spend your own time delivering it.” - -“I don’t mind,” replied Tom. - -“Well, I am sure I appreciate that. Since you are so good-natured -about it I think I will ask you to do a little more. This concerns a -suit which is to be tried to-morrow. I must have an answer from this -gentleman, and he has no telephone. Will you go out there, and bring -back the answer?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Bring it here to the office,” went on Mr. Keen. “I am going to work -here quite late, to-night, and, if I should not be in when you get -here, leave the answer on my desk, for I may be out to supper.” - -“I think I can be back here by eight, or, at the most, nine o’clock,” -spoke Tom. - -“That will do very nicely. I expect to be up until nearly midnight, -getting the papers in shape for the trial to-morrow. You had better -start now, as it is quite a ride out there.” - -With a bundle of papers in his pocket Tom started off. He had sent word -to his mother, by telephoning to a drug store near his house, that he -would not be home until late. - -Tom rather enjoyed the trolley ride, for it was in a section he had -seldom visited. - -“I hope I find a restaurant out here,” he remarked to himself as the -trolley rumbled along. “I’ll be mighty hungry by the time I get back.” - -When he reached the house of the gentleman he had been sent to see, he -delivered the papers, and asked: - -“How long do you think it will be before you have the answer ready?” - -“Why? Do you have to go somewhere else in this neighborhood?” asked the -client. - -“I would like to go to a restaurant,” replied Tom. “Is there one near -here?” - -“I’m afraid not, but I’d be glad to have you come in and take tea with -me.” - -“Oh, no; I wouldn’t like to trouble you.” - -“It will be no trouble at all. I am all alone this evening, as my wife -and daughters have gone to Symphony Hall to a concert. Come in, for -it will take me some time to look over these papers, and prepare my -answer.” - -Tom was too hungry to be bashful, and he was soon seated at a table -bountifully spread, while a neatly-dressed servant brought him a hot -cup of tea, which was grateful after the long cold ride. - -The gentleman was so busily engaged with the legal documents that he -did not get a chance to eat with Tom, who was all alone at the table, -which the boy did not regret, as his appetite was particularly good, -and he did not want to feel embarrassed by dining with a stranger. - -“There, I think that covers it,” said the gentleman at length, as he -handed Tom a bundle of papers. “Tell Mr. Keen I will see him at court, -in the morning. Did you manage to make out a meal?” - -“Yes, sir, and I thank you very much.” - -It was nearly nine o’clock when Tom reached the office of the law firm -in Washington Street. He went up to the big front doors and he did not -have to knock, as Mr. Keen had told him to do, as the watchman was on -the lookout for him. - -“Is it cold out,” asked the old man, who had charge of the building -nights. - -“It’s getting colder,” remarked Tom. “Feels like snow, too.” - -“I don’t like that,” complained the watchman. “It’s bad for my -rheumatism. I don’t suppose that bothers you.” - -“Not yet,” said Tom with a laugh, as he prepared to climb the stairs to -Mr. Keen’s office, the elevator having stopped running. - -He found a light burning in the outer room, where the telephone -switchboard was, but Mr. Keen’s apartment was in darkness. - -“He must be out,” thought Tom. “Well, I’ll leave the papers on his -desk. But there’s a light in Mr. Cutler’s office. Maybe he’s in there.” - -He started toward the door, but, before he could reach it the portal -opened, and Mr. Cutler came out. - -“What are you doing here?” he asked Tom sharply. “You have no right in -here after office hours.” - -“I have been on an errand for Mr. Keen,” replied Tom. “He told me to -leave the answer on his desk.” - -As he spoke he heard a noise of papers rattling in Mr. Cutler’s room, -and he knew the lawyer must have a visitor. Mr. Cutler’s manner was -strange. He seemed much annoyed at beholding Tom. - -“Well,” he said, “leave the papers and then go home. We don’t want the -office boys around here after hours.” - -He turned to go back into his office, and, as he did so, the door swung -more fully open. Tom caught a glimpse of a man, and, an instant later -he saw that Mr. Cutler’s visitor was none other than Barton Sandow. Dr. -Spidderkins’ brother-in-law uttered an exclamation, as he caught sight -of Tom, and then the lawyer hastily closed the door, from behind which -came the murmur of voices in eager, earnest conversation. - -“He’ll never suspect anything,” he heard Mr. Cutler say. - -“Hush!” cautioned Mr. Sandow. “He’s altogether too smart!” - -“I hope I can prove too smart for you,” thought Tom, as he laid the -papers on Mr. Keen’s desk. “There’s some funny business going on in -this office and I think it has to do with the doctor. I’ll keep my eyes -open.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -AN ODD CLIENT - - -That night, when Tom got to bed, he thought so intently about what had -happened, that he could hardly sleep. He tried to outline some plan, -by which he might get at the bottom of the mystery that seemed to be -developing, but he could concoct none that appeared satisfactory. - -“I’m sure of one or two things,” he said to himself. “One is that -Sandow doesn’t like me, and, I believe he’s a little bit afraid of -what he thinks I know. Another is that Mr. Cutler doesn’t like me, but -he isn’t alarmed that I know anything. He’d have me discharged if he -could. And another thing is that Sandow and Cutler are in with each -other. And the last thing is that it has to do with the estate of Dr. -Spidderkins. - -“But I don’t see what I can do. I don’t know anything about law, and if -I spoke to Mr. Boise, Cutler might make it appear that everything was -all right, and I would only be laughed at. No, I’ll lay low for a while -yet.” - -“Well, Tom,” said Mr. Keen the next morning, “I see you got the papers -all right. I found them on my desk, when I came in. But you should not -have opened the envelope they were in. Some of them might have been -lost.” - -“I didn’t open the envelope.” - -“You didn’t? Why, I found it open on my desk.” - -“It was closed when I left it there.” - -“That’s odd,” remarked Mr. Keen in a low voice, but he did not in the -least doubt Tom’s word. “Was there any one in the office but yourself?” -he asked. “Maybe the envelope fell to the floor off my desk, and, being -quite full, burst open. The janitor may have picked it up.” - -“Mr. Cutler was in his room, when I came back last night,” replied Tom. -“He had some one with him. But I don’t believe the envelope could have -fallen off your desk. I placed it right in the middle.” - -“Strange how it could have come open then,” went on Mr. Keen. “It -looks as if the envelope was opened, and then sealed up again, but not -securely. Well, it doesn’t matter much.” - -But Tom could see that the lawyer was annoyed by the incident, though -the telephone boy was glad there was no hint of suspicion against -himself. - -At the same time, there came into Tom’s mind, a vague suspicion -against Mr. Cutler. Yet, what object would that lawyer have in opening -the envelope containing papers in a case, which, presumably, all the -partners knew about? - -“Or could it have been Sandow?” thought Tom. “He might have sneaked in -and opened the envelope, when Cutler left him alone for a minute. That -Sandow is a sneak, I believe. I have proof enough of that in the way -he tried to make me believe that mysterious message I heard him give -Cutler didn’t amount to anything.” - -But Tom had little more time for thought that morning, as the -switchboard kept him almost constantly engaged. The firm had several -important cases to attend to, and inquiries and messages concerning -them were constantly coming in. - -“Whew! My ear aches!” exclaimed Tom to himself, after an hour during -which he had been engaged in putting plugs in, taking them out, -shifting cams and pressing buttons. “This sort of life is lively -enough, at times, to suit almost any one. But I guess I’ll have a -chance now to look at my law book.” - -For Tom still stuck to the resolution he had made, to “read law” during -his spare moments. He was looking intently at the book, yet alert for -any telephone call that might come in, when he became aware that a -stranger had entered the office. He looked up to see a man, evidently -a farmer in his “Sunday” clothes, standing beside the telephone desk. - -“Is my case ready?” asked the man, evidently taking it for granted that -Tom was either a member of the firm, or, at least, must keep track of -all the cases. - -“I don’t know,” the boy answered politely. “What is the name, please, -and who did you want to see?” - -“Wa’al, I reckon I want to see Boise, Keen & Cutler. That’s the way all -the letters is signed that I git. Which one be you?” - -“None of them,” answered Tom, with a smile. “But if you tell me which -member of the firm you wish to see I’ll inquire about your case for -you.” - -“Wa’al, I’m switched if I know. Jest as I say, all the letters was -signed with the hull three names.” - -“Were there any initial under the name?” inquired Tom, for it was the -practice of the firm to sign the names of all three partners, together -with the first letter of the name of whichever particular lawyer -happened to dictate the letter. - -“Here, look for yourself,” invited the farmer, holding out a missive. -“That’s the last one I got, an’ it says my case was comin’ off to-day.” - -Tom looked at the letter. It was one concerning a lawsuit over some -water-rights on a farm, and from the fact that the letter “B” was -below the firm signature, the boy concluded that Mr. Boise had written -it. - -“I guess you want to see the senior partner, Mr. Boise,” said Tom. -“Take a chair, Mr. Kendall, and I’ll find out when he can see you.” - -“How’d you know my name was Kendall?” asked the odd client sharply. -“You ain’t one of them gold-brick swindlers, be ye? I understand they -call a man by his name as soon as they set eyes on him.” - -“I saw your name at the top of this letter,” replied the boy, handing -the missive back. - -Then, when the farmer was carefully stowing the letter away in his -wallet, Tom quietly slipped a plug into the hole connecting with the -’phone in the room of Mr. Boise, and asked when the lawyer could see -Mr. Kendall. - -“Send him in in five minutes,” came back the answer. - -By this time the farmer had buttoned his coat over his pocketbook, and -he looked up at Tom. - -“Wa’al, when ye goin’ to do it?” he asked. - -“Do what?” - -“Ye said ye’d find out when the head lawyer would see me.” - -“So I did. He’ll see you in five minutes.” - -“Look a-here, young man!” exclaimed Mr. Kendall. “Don’t try none of -them tricks. I’m sharp, even if I do come from the country.” - -“What tricks?” asked Tom innocently, for he was not aware that he had -done anything out of the ordinary. - -“Why, you said you’d go see when the lawyer would see me. Now you -say he’ll see me in five minutes. You may be one of them new-fangled -mind-readers I’ve heard tell about, but I don’t believe it. I don’t -take no stock in it. Now you go find out when the lawyer will see me. -My time’s valuable, for I’ve got a lot of work to do, out at the farm.” - -“I did find out, Mr. Kendall. Mr. Boise will see you in five minutes.” - -“Hold on thar!” exclaimed the farmer. “You can’t fool me. I’ve watched -you every minute, an’ you ain’t left your chair sence I come in. All -you’ve been doin’ is play with them there cords. Now you git right up -an’ find out when Mr. Boise will see me! I ain’t so green as I look.” - -“Oh, I see!” exclaimed Tom, comprehending. “You see, I telephoned to -him.” - -“Telephoned to him? You can’t fool me that way. I know what a telephone -is. We’ve got ’em out our way, an’ a bell rings when you telephone. -Besides, there ain’t no telephone here, and who ever heard of -telephonin’ from one room to another?” - -“But you see this is a private exchange switchboard,” explained Tom, -and he told how it was possible to speak to a lawyer in the next room, -without leaving his seat. He made it quite clear to the farmer. - -“Oh, I understand,” said Mr. Kendall. “I’m sorry I made such a fuss -about it, ’specially when you ain’t well. Did you see a doctor about -it?” - -“About what?” asked the boy, wondering what new notion the farmer had. - -“About your ear ache. I see you have to wear some instrument on yer -head. I had a nephew once that had ear ache dreadful bad. We done -everything for him, blew smoke into it, put bags of hot pepper in, but -it didn’t do no good. Then I poured some hot sweet oil in, and that -worked fine. Ever try it?” - -“But I have no ear ache.” - -“You ain’t? Then what ye got that contraption on yer head for?” - -“Oh, that’s the telephone receiver. I have it clamped over my ear so I -will have both hands free to use on the plugs.” - -“Oh!” remarked Mr. Kendall. “I wondered what in the world it was for. -Suthin’ like blinders on a hoss.” - -Just then one of the drops fell, and Tom, inserting a plug, heard Mr. -Boise speaking to him. - -“I’ll see Mr. Kendall now,” he said. - -“Mr. Boise will attend to your case now,” repeated Tom to the farmer. - -“Wa’al, I’ll be switched, ef that ain’t quite an invention,” exclaimed -the farmer, as he arose to go into the inner office. “I never heard of -telephonin’ to a man twenty feet from ye. Next thing they’ll be havin’ -flyin’ machines t’ go from one room t’ another.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -A MEAN PLOT - - -The farmer chuckled at his joke, as he passed into the apartments of -Mr. Boise, whence, presently, his voice could be heard discussing his -case. - -“I wouldn’t care for many clients like him,” thought Tom, “though he -meant well enough. I’d have to explain too much to them.” - -He resumed his perusal of the law book, until a drop of one of the -black disks told him some one from outside wished to talk to a member -of the firm. The call was for Mr. Cutler, and, when he had made the -connection Tom threw up the cam, so that he could not hear what was -being said. - -For, several times of late, the junior partner had accused the -telephone boy of listening to the conversations that went on over the -wire. - -“I’ll not give him a chance this time,” thought Tom. - -A little later he received a call from the central girl operator. One -of the trunk lines did not work just right, and the girl wanted Tom to -test it, before a man was sent out to repair it. The young lady was a -pleasant-voiced one, and, before he knew it, Tom was exchanging a few -jokes with her. - -She suggested how he himself might get the wire to work better, by -making a little adjustment to the switchboard, and he did so. - -“How’s that?” he asked. “Can you hear me any better?” - -“Much better,” she replied. “You ought to go into the telephone -business.” - -Then, whether it was something he unconsciously did to the switchboard, -or whether the central operator made some unusual connection, Tom never -knew. At any rate he found he was “cut in” on the wire over which Mr. -Cutler was talking. - -And, as Tom listened for a moment, not meaning to, he became aware that -the man on the other end of the wire was Barton Sandow. And what he -said was this: - -“I’m almost ready to do the trick now. I have the papers safe.” - -Then there came a buzzing on the wire, and Tom heard no more, but he -had listened to enough to understand that whatever game there was -between Sandow and the junior partner was still being carried on. - -“I want to test that other wire,” came the voice of the central girl, -a moment later, and Tom, at her request “gave her a ring,” that is, -he depressed the button which flashed a tiny electric light on the -switchboard at which she sat in the distant central office. - -“That’s all right,” she announced. “Good-by.” - -“I believe I’d like to meet that girl,” thought Tom. “If it wasn’t -against the rules for her to talk to me, except on business, I’d ask -her name. I’ve almost a good notion to do it anyhow. But I don’t want -to get her into trouble. I must ask Charley Grove what would happen in -case a supervisor overheard her talking to me just for fun.” - -He was interrupted in his pleasant thoughts by the necessity of -disconnecting Mr. Cutler’s ’phone, as the drop of a disk indicated that -the lawyer was through talking. Then a door opened and Mr. Boise and -Mr. Kendall came out into the main office. - -“Wa’al, I’ll do jest as you say, of course, Mr. Boise,” the farmer was -saying, in his loud voice. “If you think it’s best to let my neighbor -Simpson start to tear out that dam, an’ then git an injunction, I’m -willin’ to do it. Only I’d stop him with a gun, if I had my way.” - -“No; if you leave the matter in our hands, you must do as we say,” -insisted Mr. Boise. “But don’t let it be known that you are going to -let him start to destroy the dam that holds back the water. In fact -don’t mention it anywhere. I’d rather you wouldn’t have spoken of it -here, as you never know who will hear what you will say, and, if this -got out, it might lose you your case.” - -“Is that so? I didn’t mean to speak so loud. But I guess your telephone -boy won’t tell, will he?” - -“Oh, no,” answered Mr. Boise with a smile. “We trust Tom, but it’s best -to be on the safe side.” - -Tom was grateful for this mark of confidence. As he turned in his -chair, to pick up his bookmark that had fallen to the floor, he caught -sight of Mr. Cutler’s door. It was partly open and the lawyer was -peering out, looking at the farmer and Mr. Boise. As he saw Tom’s eyes -turned toward him, the junior partner quickly closed the portal. - -“He was listening,” thought Tom. “I’m getting more and more suspicious -of him every day. Yet, perhaps, I have no right to be.” - -But if Tom could have overheard what was said between the young lawyer -and Barton Sandow that night, when the two met in a certain cafe -near Scollay Square he would have had more cause than ever for his -suspicions. - -“Do you think it will work?” Sandow asked, after the two had conversed -at some length. - -“It’s bound to. I’ll telephone when Tom is out at lunch. One of the -clerks is left in charge, and I can easily get rid of him for a few -minutes, on some excuse.” - -“But can you imitate his voice?” - -“Whose? Tom’s? Oh, well enough. Kittridge, the lawyer who has the -other side of the Kendall case, doesn’t know my voice, and he doesn’t -know Tom in the least. I’ll pretend I’m the office boy, and that I -have a grudge against the firm, because they won’t raise my wages. -All Kittridge needs is a tip about the dam, and he can win the case. -Kendall will lose it, and then I’ll casually suggest to Boise that -there must have been a leak somewhere. There’ll be an inquiry, and Tom -will be discharged. Then we can proceed without having him sneaking in -on us, at every chance he gets.” - -“Yes, it will be easier with him out of the way. The old doctor has -taken quite a notion to him. But he’s so forgetful everything ought to -be easy.” - -“Did you bring the papers?” - -“Yes; here they are. He left them in his study under a book, but, -as there are five hundred books there he’ll have a task to remember -under which one they were put. He can’t remember, and, before he can -do anything to protect himself, the property will be disposed of, and -you’ll have your share.” - -“Not so loud,” cautioned Elias Cutler, looking around apprehensively. -“Some one might hear you.” - -“Why, you’re not afraid, are you?” - -“No--not exactly, as everything is safe, but be careful, Barton.” - -“If we get rid of Tom Baldwin we’ll have nothing more to fear, as -neither Boise nor Keen suspect that we have anything to do with each -other; do they?” asked Mr. Sandow. - -“Not in the least. If they did--well, I know I’d be looking for another -position.” - -The two conversed for some time further, and then prepared to separate. - -“When will you work the trick?” asked Mr. Sandow. - -“As soon as possible. To-morrow, if I get a chance.” - -It was several days after this that, one afternoon, Mr. Boise came into -the office from the court house, where he had been all day, trying a -case. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired Mr. Keen, of his partner. “You look -annoyed.” - -“And I have good cause to be,” replied the lawyer. “I lost the Kendall -case.” - -“What! That one where the old farmer was mixed up in some action over -water-rights and a dam?” - -“That’s it. I had a good case, and we were going to apply for an -injunction as soon as Simpson, who is the party Kendall had the -dispute with, started to cut the dam. But, it seems Simpson’s lawyer, -Amos Kittridge, got wind of the affair. He knew what we were going to -do, and he took action that caused our case to be thrown out of court. -My client, Mr. Kendall lost, and he is very angry about it.” - -“How do you suppose Kittridge learned of your side of the case?” asked -Mr. Keen, while Tom listened anxiously. - -“I don’t know. He’s a trickster, but when he won he laughed at me, and -as much as hinted that the leak came from this office.” - -“From this office?” - -“Yes. He advised me to pay my help better, then they wouldn’t be -dissatisfied, and give away the details of our cases. I tell you, -Mr. Keen, this is a serious matter, and I am going to have an -investigation. I want to see all the clerks in my office. Some news -went out of here that shouldn’t have gone, and it lost us the case. It -was given over the telephone, Kittridge as much as said. Tom, I shall -have to question you. Do not go home this afternoon, until I have seen -you. Kittridge is a trickster, and a sneak, but what he did is legal, -though it is not right. But if I find out who gave him the tip, it will -go hard with him!” - -Mr. Boise looked sterner than Tom had ever seen him before, and the -telephone boy, though he knew he had had nothing to do with the matter, -felt a little apprehensive. - -“If some one used this telephone to talk to Mr. Kittridge with,” mused -Tom, “it may involve me.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -TOM IS ACCUSED - - -“Send the clerks into my office,” said Mr. Boise to Mr. Keen, as he -passed into his own apartment. “We’ll sift this matter to the bottom.” - -One by one the clerks passed into the room of the senior partner. Low -but earnest voices could be heard from behind the closed door. Several -telephone inquiries came for Mr. Boise, but Tom had been instructed to -turn the clients over to Mr. Keen, as Mr. Cutler was out. - -One by one the clerks came from the room of Mr. Boise. They looked -worried, but not guilty, and all, evidently, had succeeded in proving -to the satisfaction of their employer that they, at least, were not -guilty of betraying the firm’s secret. - -As the last clerk emerged, Mr. Cutler came into the office. He seemed -quite excited over something, and, as Mr. Boise came from his room at -that moment, the two members of the firm met. - -“I hear you lost the Kendall case,” began Mr. Cutler. - -“Yes, I----” - -“I suppose you know how it came about,” interrupted the junior partner, -with a vindictive glance at Tom. - -“That is what I have been trying to find out.” - -“I think I can tell you.” - -“You? What do you mean?” - -“I mean that the secret of the injunction about the dam was betrayed by -some one in this office.” - -“I fear as much, but I have been unable to discover who mentioned it, -unless one of us three partners did so,” added Mr. Boise with a smile. - -Cutler started. Then he said: - -“I fancy if you were to ask the telephone boy about it he might be able -to tell something.” - -“The telephone boy? Tom? Do you mean him?” - -“That’s who I mean!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler sharply. - -“I never said a word over the telephone, or in any other way about this -Kendall suit, or any other!” exclaimed Tom indignantly. “I never talk -about the firm’s business outside!” - -“No?” remarked Mr. Cutler sneeringly. “Then how did it happen that I -heard you calling up Kittridge’s office the other day?” - -“Calling up Mr. Kittridge’s office?” repeated Tom. Then he remembered -that Mr. Boise had had that lawyer on the wire, refusing a -postponement of the case. He told the circumstances. - -“Yes, that is so,” acknowledged Mr. Boise. “But why do you accuse Tom, -Mr. Cutler?” and he looked sharply at the junior partner. - -“Because of something I overheard between Kittridge and one of his -clerks.” - -“What was that?” - -“I just came from the court house,” went on Mr. Cutler. “I heard you -had lost your case, and I saw Kittridge and his clerk laughing over -their success. Then I overheard Kittridge say: ‘We never would have -won the case, but for a tip Boise’s office boy gave me. He called me -up, and said he had a grudge against the firm because they wouldn’t -raise his wages, and then he let out about the injunction.’ That’s what -Kittridge said.” - -“That’s not so!” cried Tom indignantly. “I never spoke to Mr. -Kittridge, over the telephone, or otherwise, in my life; I merely got -his office once on the wire for Mr. Boise.” - -“I know what I’m talking about!” declared Mr. Cutler. “I say you gave -this fact to Kittridge, and I can prove it. You are responsible for -this leak, and I think you had better discharge him, Mr. Boise, and get -a boy we can trust. He used to listen to persons talking to me, until I -put a stop to it.” - -“I never listened unless it was absolutely necessary, in order to put -some other party on your wire!” said Tom hotly. - -“I think you had better discharge him,” went on the junior partner. “I -know where we can get a boy we can depend on.” - -“This is a serious accusation,” said Mr. Boise slowly. “Are you--pardon -me--are you sure of your facts, Mr. Cutler?” - -“Positive. Why, ask Kittridge.” - -“No; I would not like to do that. I would not want to let him know -we have some one here we can not trust,” but, though he spoke sadly, -Mr. Boise did not look accusingly at Tom. “I have another plan,” the -senior partner went on. “I will ask the telephone company to make an -investigation. They keep a record of all calls, and they can tell -whether there were more than one call for the Kittridge office within -the last few days. One I used myself. If there is another on the -record----” - -“It means that it was the one when the secret of the case was given -away,” interrupted Mr. Cutler. - -“It does not absolutely prove it, however,” went on Mr. Boise. “Some -one may have called him up from outside.” - -“Yes; but who knew about the plan to let Simpson partly destroy the -dam, so that an injunction might be secured?” asked Mr. Cutler. - -“Well, unfortunately, Mr. Kendall mentioned it aloud in the office here -one day,” admitted Mr. Boise. “I cautioned him to be careful, but he -spoke before I could prevent him. I don’t know who heard him. There was -no other clients in at the time.” - -“No; but Tom was,” insisted the junior partner. - -“Yes; I heard Mr. Kendall’s remarks about the dam,” admitted the -telephone boy. “But I never spoke to a soul about it. You were also in -your office at the time, Mr. Cutler,” he could not help adding, “and -your door was open.” - -“What! You dare accuse me?” cried the lawyer. “The idea! The impudence. -Boise, I demand his discharge at once!” - -“Wait a minute,” spoke the senior partner calmly, “I do not believe Tom -meant to accuse you of giving our secret away.” - -“No, sir,” put in Tom. - -“He only meant that other persons besides himself heard what Mr. -Kendall so foolishly said. But I shall investigate this further. I will -go to the telephone company at once. Tom, remain here until I return.” - -Mr. Cutler, with a vindictive glance at the boy, passed into his -private office, and Tom, with a dull, leaden feeling in his heart, saw -Mr. Boise go out. Our hero waited anxiously for what might happen next. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -A GIRL’S TESTIMONY - - -When Mr. Boise had gone Tom sat at the switchboard, but he had lost -all interest, for the present, in the law book. It was closed, and his -thoughts were all centered on the queer happenings in which he was -involved. - -It was getting rather late, and the building was gradually becoming -quiet, as the various tenants passed out and closed up their offices. - -Tom wondered how long he would have to stay, and whether he had -better send some word to his mother about the delay. Then he decided -it would be best not to. He might have to go home with bad news soon -enough--news that he had been discharged--though he knew he was -innocent, and he hoped Mr. Boise would be able to prove this. - -Presently the door of Mr. Cutler’s room opened, and that lawyer came -out. - -“Has Mr. Boise returned yet?” he asked. - -“No, sir.” - -“Have all the clerks gone?” - -“I believe so.” - -Mr. Cutler started into Mr. Keen’s room. He looked in, to discover that -his partner was not there. - -“Has Mr. Keen gone home?” he inquired. - -“I believe so.” - -“Look here!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler suddenly, coming close to Tom, “why -don’t you get out of here.” - -“Get out of here? What do you mean?” - -“I mean before Mr. Boise returns. He’ll probably find out exactly what -you did, and then he’ll discharge you. If you go now, he’ll not have -the opportunity, and you’ll stand a better chance of getting another -place.” - -“Why, that would be running away!” exclaimed Tom indignantly. “That -would be like admitting I was guilty.” - -“Well, aren’t you?” - -“No, sir!” - -“Oh, come now,” went on Mr. Cutler, in a more friendly tone than he had -ever before used toward Tom. “I think I know all about how it happened. -You felt a little grieved--perhaps because I have scolded you once or -twice. You wanted to get even, and, when you heard that conversation -about the dam, you determined to mention it to the lawyer on the other -side. Of course, it was very wrong, but I don’t believe you’ll do it -again. - -“I want to help you, even if you did wrong. Now I’m advising you for -your own good. You can leave now, and I’ll tell Mr. Boise you are sorry -for what you did. He’ll forgive you, I’m sure. I’ll even help you get -another job.” - -“Do you mean you think me guilty, yet you would help me get another -position like this?” asked Tom, determined to see how far Cutler would -go. - -“Well--er--maybe not a place like this, in a law office, for they would -be sure to ask questions. But I’d get you a good place. Come, now, -you’d better leave before Mr. Boise gets back with the proof of your -guilt.” - -“I don’t see how he can get proof of my guilt, when I am not guilty.” - -“Oh, I understand all about that,” went on the lawyer, earnestly, as -though he was anxious to hurry Tom to a decision. “I was young once -myself. You acted hastily. I think I can explain it to Mr. Boise.” - -“No!” exclaimed Tom indignantly. “I’ll not run away! I never sent that -message, and Mr. Boise will be so informed at the telephone office. -Why, if I went now he would have every reason to think me guilty!” - -“Well, I’ve done my best for you,” answered the lawyer, as he turned -impatiently aside. “When you’re discharged, and looking for a place, -don’t blame me. It’s your own fault.” - -“I’ll not blame you,” spoke Tom. “I’m not afraid of the consequences. -I trust Mr. Boise. He’ll not discharge me unjustly. But if he does, -perhaps I can get a place with Dr. Spidderkins,” he said, as a sudden -thought came to him. - -“Dr. Spidderkins! What sort of a place can you get with him? He doesn’t -practice any more?” - -The lawyer seemed strangely excited. - -“I know that,” replied Tom, “but perhaps he would be glad to hire me to -help look after his estate. I understand he has quite a large one, and -that his brother-in-law would like to get possession of it.” - -“What’s that? What are you saying?” demanded Mr. Cutler almost shouting -the words, as he started toward Tom, as though he would strike him. -“Are you making threats--you--you----” - -He seemed to be so angry, or so alarmed, that he could not speak. -Before Tom could make reply, or the lawyer ask any more questions, the -door opened and Mr. Boise entered. - -The senior partner of the firm was not alone. Behind him stood a pretty -girl, who glanced around the office and then frankly smiled at Tom. He -thought she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. - -“Well, I suppose you found out that I was right about it; did you not?” -asked Mr. Cutler. - -“Not exactly,” replied the senior partner. “There were two messages -sent from this office, lately, to Mr. Kittridge.” - -“Ah, I thought so,” murmured Mr. Cutler, while Tom was wondering what -the pretty girl could have to do with the case. - -“One message was the one which I sent,” went on Mr. Boise. “The other -was sent the day before the case came to trial. The manager of the -company looked up his records, and he made a suggestion which I think -will solve the problem.” - -“What is that?” asked Mr. Cutler, while he glanced uneasily at the -pretty girl. - -“It is this: The manager suggested that the young lady in charge of -that part of the switchboard in the main office, where our wires are, -might remember something about it. He sent for her, and I had a talk -with her. She does remember the two calls for the office of Kittridge, -for the reason that, at present his is the only telephone on a -particular circuit.” - -“But can she tell who called?” asked Mr. Cutler. - -“Not exactly. I laid the case before her, and she said she was sure of -one thing.” - -“What is that?” - -“That is that the person who is regularly at our switchboard did not -call for the office of Kittridge the second time.” - -“That’s nonsense!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler. “How can she remember a -person’s voice?” - -“You may ask her yourself,” said Mr. Boise, as he turned to the pretty -girl. “Allow me to introduce to you Miss Minnie Renfield, who is the -young lady in charge of the trunk lines from our office. Miss Renfield, -just tell Mr. Cutler and Tom, here, what you told me.” - -“I have been a central operator for a number of years,” said Miss -Renfield, with an engaging smile. “I have a very good memory for -voices. After I hear a voice over the telephone once or twice, I never -forget it. Several of my friends can do the same thing. - -“I know the voice of your private exchange operator very well. I have -had quite some conversation with him lately, about one of the wires -that was out of order. I know his voice as soon as he calls for a -number.” - -Tom smiled. This, then, was the girl whom he had wished to meet. He had -his wish, now, but he would have been glad had it been under happier -circumstances. - -“Do you mean to say that you can recognize voices over the telephone?” -demanded Mr. Cutler. - -“Yes, sir; I can. I remember the two calls for the Kittridge office. I -have to make a note of every call, and those two were on a new wire, -that has recently been put in. The first call was made by your regular -operator, I am sure of that.” - -“That was the time I had Tom get Kittridge for me, when I refused to -consent to an adjournment,” put in Mr. Boise. - -“But the second call? The call when the secret was disclosed?” asked -Mr. Cutler. - -“That was not made by your operator here,” said Miss Renfield firmly. - -“Are you sure?” demanded the junior partner. - -“Quite sure. I recall wondering at the time who was calling up. The -call came in at one fifty-seven.” - -“This is preposterous!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler. “No one can remember -that!” - -“I made a record of it,” declared the young lady. “It was exactly one -fifty-seven.” - -“And that’s the time I was out to lunch!” exclaimed Tom suddenly. “I -was with my chum, Charley Grove! He can prove it!” - -Mr. Cutler looked confused. But he was not going to give up yet. - -“I think this young lady means all right,” he said, “but I doubt if she -can so readily distinguish voices over the wire. I believe she is in -error. I think Tom Baldwin sent that message.” - -“I believe I can prove that I am right, and that he did not,” answered -Minnie Renfield, confidently. “Will you allow me?” - -“Certainly,” answered Mr. Boise. “This is a serious matter, and I want -it cleared up.” - -“Then I am going to propose a little experiment,” said the girl with a -smile at Tom. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -VINDICATION OF TOM - - -The two lawyers and the telephone boy looked curiously at Miss Renfield. - -“I am going out to some telephone,” she said. “I will then call up the -office, and each of you, in turn, may speak to me over the wire. I am -sure I can tell exactly who is talking, though I am not very familiar -with this gentleman’s voice,” and she looked at Mr. Cutler. - -“That is the junior member of our firm,” explained Mr. Boise. “I think -that will be a fair experiment.” - -“I hope it will convince Mr. Cutler that I can recognize voices over -the wire,” went on the central operator. - -“It ought to be easy to do that,” sneered Mr. Cutler. “You know that -only we three are here.” - -“You may bring in any other persons you choose,” said Miss Renfield -readily, “and, though I may not be able to tell who they are, by name, -I will be able to distinguish their voices from yours.” - -“That will do,” assented Mr. Boise. “We are ready for the test; eh, -Tom?” - -“Certainly,” replied our hero, grateful to the girl who had, so -opportunely, come to his aid. - -Miss Renfield went out, and, in order to make the experiment more -certain, a couple of clerks from a neighboring office, who happened to -be staying late, were called in. The real reason for the experiment, -however, was not explained to them. - -Presently Miss Renfield called up. As there were several branch -telephones in the law office, at Mr. Boise’s suggestion himself, his -partner, Tom, and the two clerks each took one, and Tom connected them -all on one central wire. - -“Now we are ready,” said Mr. Boise, over the wire. - -“Oh, you are Mr. Boise,” exclaimed the girl. “I would know your voice -anywhere.” - -“That was easy enough to do,” spoke Mr. Cutler, and he talked right -into the telephone which was before him, on his desk. Those engaged -in the experiment were in rooms opening from the main one, where the -switchboard was, and could see each other. - -“That was Mr. Cutler,” came back Miss Renfield’s tones, calmly. - -“Ah! She had you that time!” exclaimed Mr. Boise. - -He motioned for one of the clerks to speak, and the girl at once -announced that a stranger was talking. Then the senior partner nodded -to Tom. - -“That’s the switchboard boy!” exclaimed the girl, so that all heard -her. “I know his name is Tom, but I don’t know his last name.” - -“Baldwin,” answered our hero, blushing the least bit. “I am much -obliged to you.” - -The experiment was tried for some time longer, but each time Miss -Renfield was able to tell whether one of the strange clerks, or Mr. -Boise, Tom, or Mr. Cutler was speaking. - -“I think that is proof enough,” remarked Mr. Boise to her over the -wire. “Come in, please.” - -The two clerks left, Mr. Boise thanking them for their assistance, and -Miss Renfield came back to the office. - -“I am fully satisfied,” said the senior partner, “that this young lady -is right.” - -“Then you think Tom did not send that message?” asked Elias Cutler. - -“I do not believe he did.” - -“Well, who is guilty, then?” - -“I can not say. I suppose you would not be able to tell, if you heard -the voice of every one in my employ, which voice it was that talked -the second time to the law office of Mr. Kittridge?” he asked the girl. - -“Of course, she wouldn’t!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler hastily. “That would be -impossible. If she could, it would be no evidence.” - -He seemed alarmed over something. - -“I would not like to make a decision regarding a voice when such -an important matter is involved,” said the girl gravely. “I am not -familiar with some of the tones of your clerks, as they only talk over -the ’phone occasionally. But I could not be mistaken in the voice of -Tom Baldwin,” she added, as she smiled once more at the boy whom she -had so completely vindicated. - -“I am glad of it,” remarked Mr. Boise. “I never for a moment believed -Tom guilty, but I am glad his innocence is so firmly established. I am -afraid we shall not discover who sent the message, but I am sure of one -thing.” - -“What is that?” asked his partner quickly. - -“That whoever did it is an enemy of this firm--I may say a traitor, -for it was some one in this office, of that I am positive. If I ever -discover who it was, I shall deal severely with him.” - -Mr. Cutler turned aside and entered his office without a word. - -“I believe I need detain you no longer, Tom,” said Mr. Boise. “It is -long after your regular hour. I think we shall have to raise your -salary again, if we keep you working overtime like this,” and he -smiled at the boy. - -“I don’t mind staying,” said Tom genially, “though of course if you’re -going to give me more money, I’ll not get out an injunction against -you,” and he laughed. - -“Ah, I see that you are coming on with your study of the law,” -commented his employer. “Well, we’ll take the matter under advisement,” -he said, in the manner of a judge finishing up a case, “and we will let -you know later. Good-night. Good-night, Miss Renfield.” - -Tom and the central girl walked out of the office together. - -“I’m ever so much obliged to you,” said Tom, as they went down in the -elevator. - -“Oh, that’s nothing,” replied his companion, whom Tom, stealing a look -at now and then, thought quite the prettiest girl he had ever seen. It -was the second time he had thought the same thing that day. - -“So you are the young lady who told me how to fix the cord and plug,” -went on our hero. - -“Yes. You see I’ve been in the central office for some years now, and -I’m getting quite interested in the work. I have a brother who is an -electrician, and he tells me lots about the instruments, so I have more -advantages than the other girls. I often fix my switchboard when it -gets out of order.” - -“You are quite talented.” - -“Oh, it comes natural to me. But, say, I didn’t want to speak of it to -Mr. Boise, but I have a suspicion who sent that message.” - -“Who?” asked Tom quickly. - -“Well, I shouldn’t want you to repeat it, but when that cross man--Mr. -Cutler, I believe his name is--when he was talking this afternoon, his -voice sounded a good deal like the one that sent the second message to -the Kittridge firm. I am not positive enough of it to tell Mr. Boise -so, for I think Mr. Cutler tried to disguise his voice, but I’d advise -you to keep your eyes open.” - -“I will,” declared Tom. “I think he has a grudge against me, because I -found out something about him. I’ll be on the watch, and the next queer -move he makes, I’ll tell Mr. Boise.” - -The two young people walked on together for some distance farther, and -Tom was glad to find that the pretty girl lived quite near him. - -“I wish I could meet your brother,” he said. “Perhaps he would tell me -something about telephones, so I could fix my switchboard if it got out -of order.” - -“Come around some evening, and I will introduce you to him,” promised -Miss Renfield, and Tom earnestly said that he would make the call. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -TOM TELLS HIS SUSPICIONS - - -“Well, Tom,” began the telephone boy’s mother that evening, “how are -you getting on at the office? You haven’t told us much about it lately, -but I notice that you stay quite late at times. They ought to give you -more money for that.” - -“Perhaps they will, mother. Mr. Boise said this afternoon that he would -think about raising my wages again, though I now get more than do other -boys in places like mine.” - -“How are you coming on with your law work?” inquired his aunt. “I wish -you could soon begin to practice. Some years ago I invested a little -money I had in some mining stock. I never realized anything from it, -and I believe I was swindled. I wish you could sue the company. I can’t -afford to hire a lawyer, but if you are going to be admitted to the -bar, perhaps you could take my case as the first one.” - -“I’m afraid it will be a good while before I can practice law,” -remarked Tom with a laugh. “But when I do, Aunt Sallie, I’ll take your -case without a retainer.” - -“I’ll give you half of whatever you get from the mining company, Tom.” - -“Then I’ll buy an automobile,” answered our hero, with a laugh. - -He said nothing to the folks at home about what had happened that -afternoon, as he did not want his mother and aunt to needlessly worry. -Yet, Tom was beginning to feel more and more that he should tell some -one his suspicions regarding Mr. Cutler and Barton Sandow. - -Tom had a chance to speak of his suspicions the following day. When he -was at the switchboard he heard some one ask for Mr. Cutler, and he -made the connection. He recognized the voice. It was that of the man -who had often spoken before to the junior partner, and this unseen man, -Tom decided, was Barton Sandow. - -The message was a brief one, and, under the circumstances Tom felt -justified in listening to it. - -“I will call you up there to-night,” said the person whom the telephone -boy believed was the rascally brother-in-law of Dr. Spidderkins. - -“I’ll be here,” replied Mr. Cutler. “Make it about midnight, and we’ll -not be disturbed, and no fresh central girl will listen to our talk. -Get the rest of the papers to-day, and we’ll wind up the matter.” - -“So, the game is almost over,” mused Tom, as he pulled out the plugs, -for the two had finished talking. “I think I had now better tell Mr. -Boise my suspicions.” - -He did so after office hours that afternoon, when the senior partner -was alone in his room, and the clerks had gone home. Tom related the -incident of the first mysterious message he had heard, how Barton -Sandow had tried to make him believe it was of no importance, and how -he had seen Sandow and the junior partner in consultation one night at -the office. - -“And you think they are trying to swindle Dr. Spidderkins out of his -estate?” asked Mr. Boise thoughtfully. - -“That is my suspicion. And I think that Mr. Crawford Leeth is also -mixed up in it. I saw Sandow at his office one night.” - -“Perhaps you are right, Tom. It is not a very nice thing to have to -confess, but I have, for some time, been suspicious of Mr. Cutler. I am -sorry I admitted him to partnership in our firm. He was a sharp young -lawyer, and I thought he would do good work, but he seems constantly -planning and scheming. I think he knows more about the leak regarding -the Kendall suit than he would be willing to admit.” - -“I believe so, too,” agreed Tom. “What do you think we had better do?” - -“You say that Sandow agreed to call him up to-night?” - -“Yes; about midnight. I think Mr. Cutler is coming here then.” - -“Yes; he is. He spoke to me about it, saying he wanted to prepare some -papers in a case he had to try to-morrow. I thought nothing of that, as -he frequently comes here nights. Perhaps he has often met Sandow here.” - -“I know he did once,” replied Tom. - -“Desperate cases require desperate treatment,” spoke Mr. Boise -musingly. “Tom, I am going to have you do something, which, if we were -dealing with different people I would not like to ask of you. But I -want to find out whether or not Mr. Cutler is involved with Sandow in -robbing Dr. Spidderkins. The only way I can do this is to know what -goes on between them to-night. If you, or I, could hear what is said -over the telephone----” - -“I think I can fix that!” exclaimed Tom. “I can so connect up the -switchboard that I can conceal myself in one of the rooms here, and -hear whatever is said.” - -“That will be a good plan. You have my permission to do so.” - -They talked the matter over at some length, and finally it was arranged -that Tom should go home, get his supper, and then return to the office. -He would station himself in one of the clerk’s rooms, furthest away -from the apartment where the switchboard was located. - -Then, when Sandow called up the suspected lawyer, the telephone boy -could listen to what was said. He hoped to hear enough to enable him to -expose the two plotters. - -“I shall be late again to-night,” said Tom to his mother when he went -home to supper. - -“Late again, Tom? Why, what is the matter?” - -“Well, we have some legal business to attend to.” - -“Has it anything to do with my mining shares?” inquired his aunt. - -“No; but if this goes through, they may make me a partner in the firm, -and then I’ll take your case.” - -All three laughed, for the little family was in better shape -financially than it had been for some time. Tom’s wages went a long -way toward supporting the two lonely women, and, with what sewing Mrs. -Baldwin and her sister could do, they had no fears, at least for the -present. - -In accordance with the plan he and Mr. Boise had made, Tom concealed -himself in the clerk’s room about ten o’clock. He wanted to be in -plenty of time. - -The big office building was deserted, except for the watchman, and -there was no noise, save his footsteps as he went from floor to floor, -ascertaining that everything was all right. Gradually it became more -silent down in the street, as the traffic grew less. - -“I hope he comes,” thought Tom, as he sat in a chair in a dark corner, -the branch telephone ready to his hand. - -Midnight struck on a distant church bell. Tom, who caught himself -nodding, sat up with a start. Surely that was a noise of some one -coming along the corridor. It might be the watchman. No, it was some -one coming into the law offices. - -Tom heard a key inserted in a lock. Then some one entered. There was -the click of an electric-light switch being turned on, and then Tom -knew Mr. Cutler had kept the appointment. - -The boy, drawing back farther into the shadow, heard the lawyer -going from room to room. Evidently he was taking no chances on being -discovered. - -“I wonder if he’ll come in here,” thought Tom. He got up from the -chair, and silently hid behind a big filing cabinet. And not a moment -too soon, for, the next instant, the door opened and Mr. Cutler came -in, turning on a light as he did so. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -THE MISSING PAPERS - - -Tom hardly breathed, fearful lest he might be discovered. But the -lawyer was apparently satisfied with casually looking into the room, -for, in a moment, he had turned out the light and Tom heard him going -back to the main apartment. - -“Now to listen to what they say,” thought the telephone boy. “I hope -Sandow calls him up.” - -No sooner had he spoken than he heard from outside, the buzz which told -that one of the disk signals had fallen. Tom had purposely left the -buzzing arrangement on, so that he might know when the call came in. - -“There it is,” he went on. But it did not continue long for Mr. Cutler -shifted the lever controlling it, and the buzzing ceased. The lawyer -knew how to operate the switchboard. - -Tom softly lifted the receiver from the hook of the instrument at his -side. He did it carefully in order that the click, which always takes -place when this is done, might sound as softly as possible in the -listening ear of Mr. Cutler. Then Tom heard voices in conversation, -and he knew that the two plotters were making their plans. He listened -intently. - -“Is everything ready?” he heard the lawyer ask. - -“Everything,” was Sandow’s reply. “I got him to sign the deeds and -mortgages this afternoon. He didn’t realize what they were. I told -him they were some orders for books he had purchased, and he is so -forgetful that he believed me. He is getting worse every day.” - -“All the better for our purpose then. Well, if you have all the papers -signed, send them to me at this office to-morrow.” - -“What will that mean?” asked Sandow, who knew little about law. - -“It will mean that the property will belong to your wife and you--after -I have attached my signature as witnessing that of Dr. Spidderkins. But -of course, I get my share or----” - -“Of course, you will,” Sandow hastened to assure his fellow-schemer. -“I’ll do just as I promised.” - -“You’d better,” announced Cutler grimly, “or I could have you held for -fraudulently obtaining the deeds and mortgages.” - -“What about yourself?” - -“Oh, a lawyer knows enough to look out for himself. But everything will -be all right.” - -“I hope that meddlesome boy doesn’t interfere again,” Tom heard Sandow -say. “Did you get him discharged?” - -“No; my plan didn’t work. Boise brought in a central girl, and she said -it wasn’t Tom’s voice that gave the secret away. I believe the little -witch suspected me. I’ll have to be careful. Now don’t come here to see -me, and don’t call me up. I think Boise also suspects me, and I’ll have -to go slow. I guess that’s all now. Don’t forget to send me the papers.” - -“I’ll not. I suppose it’s safe to talk over the ’phone this way.” - -“Of course. That’s why I selected this time. There’s no one here, and -that central girl is off duty at night. Well, I guess----” - -At that instant Tom’s elbow accidentally touched the receiver hook, and -depressed it sufficiently to produce a loud click in the instrument. - -“What’s that?” asked Barton Sandow, suddenly. “Is some one listening on -this telephone?” - -“No; I guess not,” answered the lawyer. “It was only a click on the -wire.” - -Tom smiled to himself, as he thought of how the click had been produced. - -“Well, I’ll have to go now,” went on the lawyer. “I guess we’ve -arranged everything. Don’t forget the papers.” - -Then came another click, which told that Sandow had hung up his -receiver. A little later Tom heard the office door close behind Cutler. - -“He’s gone,” the boy thought, “but I guess I heard enough. This settles -the case. I wish it was morning, so I could tell Mr. Boise. I wonder -what he’ll do?” - -In accordance with the plan, made the night before, the senior partner -of the law firm came to his office very early the next morning. Tom -was there waiting for him, and none of the clerks, nor the other two -partners, had arrived. - -“Well, Tom?” asked Mr. Boise anxiously, and our hero told all that he -had heard. - -“Too bad! Too bad!” murmured Mr. Boise. “Cutler is a bright young man. -I am sorry to see him going wrong. Well, there is no help for it; I -must expose him. You say Sandow is to send some papers to him this -morning?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then we must intercept them. Watch all the mail that comes for him, -and bring it to me. I will arrange to send him to the court house to -look up some records, so he will be out of the way.” - -Mr. Cutler seemed quite surprised when, as he came in a little later, -he was told by Mr. Boise to go to the surrogate’s office, to see about -a certain will. - -“But I have some matters here that require my attention,” he objected. -“Can’t one of the clerks go? I----” - -“It is a very particular matter,” replied Mr. Boise somewhat stiffly. -“I prefer to have you do it.” - -“Very well,” answered the junior partner. “Is there any mail for me?” -he asked of Tom, for the postman used to lay all the letters on the -telephone table, whence, after Tom had sorted them, a messenger boy -distributed them to the different offices. - -“No, sir,” replied Tom. - -“If any comes have it at once put in my desk,” went on Mr. Cutler, “and -see that it is not disturbed. I am expecting some important letters.” - -“Yes; I guess they are important,” thought Tom. - -With no very good grace Mr. Cutler left the office to go to the -court house. He had not been gone more than an hour before a special -messenger left a bulky package for him. - -“These must be the deeds and mortgages, secured from Dr. Spidderkins by -that rascally Sandow,” thought Tom, as he left the switchboard for a -moment, to take them to Mr. Boise. - -“You had better remain here, Tom,” said the senior lawyer. “I may want -you to go to see Dr. Spidderkins. Tell Roscoe to take the switchboard -for a while.” - -Roscoe was the young clerk who relieved Tom at noon. - -“Yes, these are the papers,” went on Mr. Boise, when Tom had returned -to his office. “Ah, to what depths of depravity Cutler has sunk! He -would commit a serious crime in order to enrich himself.” - -“Is it too late to save the property for Dr. Spidderkins?” asked Tom. - -“No; fortunately you spoke in time. Had it not been for you the doctor -would have lost nearly all he possessed. His sister-in-law seems to be -in the game also. Her name is on some of the documents. Now I want you -to hurry to the doctor’s house. You must see him at once, and get those -papers which I sent to him by you, some time ago. I will need them in -arranging this matter. Do not let Mrs. Sandow know what you come for.” - -“All right,” said Tom as he started off. “Here is where I get ahead of -Sandow, and get even with him for calling me a gutter-pup,” he added to -himself. - -Mrs. Sandow answered the door bell, as usual, when Tom rang. Probably -the old doctor, if he ever heard it, forgot all about it as soon as the -echoes of the peals died away. - -“Well, what do you want?” asked the woman, in a sharp tone, as she saw -Tom. - -“I wish to see Dr. Spidderkins.” - -“Well, you can’t. He’s busy.” - -“But this is very important.” - -“I can’t help it. You can give me the message, and I’ll tell him when I -get a chance.” - -“I am sorry, but I can’t do that,” said Tom firmly. “What I have to -say is for the doctor personally.” Then he had an idea. Raising his -voice, so it would penetrate down the long hall to the doctor’s private -library, the boy said: “If I can’t see Dr. Spidderkins now, I’ll wait -here until I can.” - -He fairly shouted the doctor’s name. - -“Look here, you young rapscallion,” exclaimed the woman, “do you think -I’m deaf?” - -“I didn’t know,” replied Tom, innocently, in his ordinary tones. “I -thought maybe you were.” - -But he had accomplished what he desired, for the doctor, hearing his -name called, had roused himself long enough from poring over his books -to emerge from his room. He came toward the front door. - -“Who called me?” he asked. “I was just reading an account of the -Marathon runner, who brought the news of that great victory. It is in a -very rare volume, which I found yesterday on--Why, bless my soul! If it -isn’t the boy from the book store. Let me see, I think I never paid you -that ten dollars. Very forgetful of me, I’m sure. Come right in, and -I’ll get it. How is Mr. Townsend?” - -“I’m not there any more,” said Tom. “But you paid the ten dollars all -right. Don’t you remember, I thought I had lost it?” - -“Oh, so you did. That was the night you brought me the rare volume -about--er--um--well, really I have forgotten what it was about. But I -remember now, you are an electrician.” - -“Not quite,” said Tom, with a laugh, “but that’s pretty near it. I’m a -telephone boy, and I have a message for you.” - -“A telephone message?” - -“Not exactly; though it’s about a telephone.” - -“Come right into my study,” went on the doctor. “I was just reading a -book on--why, bless my soul, I’ve forgotten what it was about. Oh, my -wretched memory! I must try to be more careful.” - -He pulled out an easy chair for Tom, and then stood in the middle of -the room, looking about him in some bewilderment. - -“What is the matter?” asked the boy. - -“Why--er--I have forgotten what we came here for.” - -“I came here with a message for you.” - -“Oh, yes. About a book.” - -“No; from your lawyer, Mr. Boise.” - -“Oh, yes, yes. You are in a law office. I remember now.” - -“It’s very important,” went on Tom, in a low voice, approaching close -to the aged physician. “Perhaps I had better shut the door.” - -“No, no,” said the doctor. “Leave it open. If it’s closed, she’ll sneak -up, and listen at the key hole. She’s--she’s a--a Tartar!” he exclaimed -softly. “She makes life miserable for me. I don’t wonder my poor -brother died. Come, we’ll go into an inner room. Then she can’t hear -us.” - -He opened a door of a smaller apartment, leading from the main library. - -“This is where I keep the rarest books,” said the doctor. “There is one -volume of Horace here that is worth--well, I really have forgotten for -the moment just how much it is worth, but I know it is quite valuable. -I picked it up the same day I secured a copy of Plato--but there--what -have you to tell me?” - -“Mr. Boise wants those papers I brought to you one day. Those papers -about your estate.” - -“Papers--did you bring me some papers?” - -Tom was beginning to despair of ever getting the doctor to understand -what was wanted. - -“Don’t you remember?” he asked. “It was the same day you secured that -edition of Smollett,” for Tom had an excellent memory. - -“Oh, yes! Now I remember, of course. Why didn’t you say that at first? -The papers about my estate. Why, yes, of course. You brought them up -the day I secured that rare copy of Smollett. Of course, I remember -now,” and the doctor chuckled at his excellent memory, which never -could remember anything unless it was associated with a book. - -“Will you get those papers and bring them to Mr. Boise’s office?” asked -Tom. “He wants to see you at once. It’s very important.” - -“Yes--yes, of course. Right away. The papers? Of course; let me see -now, where did I put them?” - -Tom felt like groaning. It seemed hopeless to try to get the old -physician to remember where the documents were. - -“Let me see,” mused the physician. “Did I put them in my desk? I’ll -look.” - -He did without result. Then he explored a small safe, next a chest of -drawers. Then he looked in all his pockets. Then he stared around at -the rows of books. - -“That’s queer,” he murmured. “I can’t remember where I put them.” - -Tom thought instead of being queer that it was the most natural thing -in the world for the doctor not to remember. - -“Now where did I put them?” murmured the old man. “If I had only stuck -them in some book, I’d be sure to remember them.” - -At this Tom gave an exclamation. - -“What’s the matter?” asked Dr. Spidderkins. - -“The book!” cried the boy. “Don’t you remember? You put the papers -under a volume of Fielding!” - -For, like a flash, it had occurred to the boy what the doctor had done -with the documents, and Tom recalled the mistake he had made about the -book--thinking it had to do with baseball. - -“Oh, yes, of course. Now I remember,” cried Dr. Spidderkins. “That’s -where they are. I knew I would remember. I’ll get them at once.” - -He went to where the book was. He had no difficulty in recalling where -any volume, among his several thousand, was located on the shelves. - -“Here is the book,” he said. “A very rare edition. Now the papers----” -Then a blank look came over his face. “The papers are gone!” he -exclaimed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -DR. SPIDDERKINS IS ANGRY - - -“Perhaps I made a mistake, and that wasn’t the book,” remarked Tom. - -“Oh, that was the book. I am positive about that. I have a bad memory, -but when it comes to books it is pretty good. Especially when you speak -of it. I am positive I put those papers either in or under that book.” - -“That’s what I think, too,” said Tom. “Maybe they have fallen down.” - -He and the doctor made a thorough search. They took out all the books -in that part of the library, and looked behind them. They even searched -through several volumes on either side of the Fielding, but no papers -were to be found. - -“Have you another volume of Mr. Fielding?” asked Tom. - -“I have, yes; but it is only a cheap reprint, and I never would put -valuable papers in or under that. No, I am sure the papers were here, -but they are gone. What had I better do?” - -At that moment there came a knock on the door of the inner room, which -the physician had taken the precaution to lock. - -“Hark!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins. “I thought I heard some one -knocking.” - -“There was,” answered Tom. - -The knock was repeated, louder than before, and a voice which Tom -recognized as that of the mean housekeeper said: - -“Come, come! I can’t stand here all day. I’ve got my work to do. Open -the door, now, Dr. Spidderkins. I know you’re in there, with that boy. -Boys can’t be trusted, that’s been my experience with ’em. You’d better -open the door. I’m sure his feet are muddy and I can’t have my carpets -all tracked up. Come, are you going to open that door, or not?” - -“Isn’t--isn’t that some one speaking?” asked the aged physician, -gently, as if there was the slightest doubt of it. Mrs. Sandow’s harsh -voice could have been heard through the whole house. - -“I--I think it’s the housekeeper,” said Tom. - -“Of course; to be sure,” replied the doctor, in a tone of relief, as -if a great uncertainty had been lifted from his mind. “It must be my -housekeeper. I thought I recognized the voice, but I couldn’t quite -place it. I am afraid--I’m very much afraid--that my memory is going -back on me.” - -Tom hadn’t the slightest doubt of it. - -“Well, are you going to let me in?” demanded Mrs. Sandow again. “I’d -like to know what you mean, Lemuel, by locking the doors on me. I just -want to know what you’re up to! The idea of locking doors when I’m -around. Come! Are you going to let me in?” - -“Do you think I’d better?” inquired the doctor, of Tom. “She--she’s a -Tartar, you know.” - -“Perhaps you had better see what she wants,” suggested the telephone -boy. - -“That’s an excellent suggestion. I will act upon it.” - -The doctor tiptoed to the door, and, placing his lips close against a -panel, whispered as loudly as he could: - -“What do you want?” - -“What do I want?” repeated Mrs. Sandow. “I want to come in, that’s what -I want. I have something to say to you. It’s important. Let me in at -once.” - -“You’ll have to wait a moment,” went on the physician. - -“Wait? What for, I should like to know? Haven’t I been waiting here, -and knocking until I’ve almost worn the skin off my knuckles? Why -should I wait any longer?” - -But the doctor did not reply. Instead he tiptoed over to where Tom -stood, a curious spectator and listener to what was going on. - -“Shall I--shall I let her in?” asked the aged physician of the boy. - -Tom could not help smiling. This seemed a matter for the doctor alone -to settle. Yet he asked advice upon it. - -“I suppose you had better,” he replied. - -“Yes, I suppose I had better,” repeated Dr. Spidderkins. “She’d get in, -anyhow,” he added. “Oh, but she _is_ a woman. There’s no use talking, -she certainly is a Tartar. I--I don’t know when I ever met, or heard -of, or read of, in all ancient history, for example, one to equal her. -Lady Macbeth, perhaps. You recall Lady Macbeth, I presume?” - -“Are you going to let me in, Dr. Spidderkins, or shall I have to go and -get my duplicate keys, and open the door myself?” interrupted the harsh -voice of the housekeeper. - -“Did you hear that?” whispered the doctor. “Duplicate keys! I knew she -must have some way of getting into this room. Once I found a copy of -Dante, which I prized very highly, laid upside down on my table, and -I’m almost certain that I left it right side up. But then my wretched -memory----” - -A rattling of the knob reminded him that the housekeeper was still -waiting. - -“Then you really think I’d better let her in?” again whispered the -doctor to Tom. - -The telephone boy nodded. - -“Very well, I will, but say nothing to her about what you told me.” - -“I’ll not,” replied Tom. - -The doctor unlocked the door. Mrs. Sandow, who had, just as the doctor -suspected she would, made her way to the library, was seen standing in -a belligerent attitude in that apartment. - -“Well, it’s taken you long enough to open the door,” she snapped. - -“Yes, we--we were very busy,” said Dr. Spidderkins. - -“I’d like to know what that good-for-nothing boy is doing here all the -while?” went on the angry woman. - -As no one offered to enlighten her she glared at Tom. - -“Did--er--did you want to speak to me?” asked the physician, and Tom -waited anxiously for the answer. He thought it might have something to -do with the matter in hand. - -“Of course I want to speak to you,” said Mrs. Sandow. “Do you think I’d -come all the way here from my kitchen, and waste my time knocking at -locked doors, though for the life of me I can’t see why you should lock -you door, for I’m sure I don’t want to take any of your old books, no -matter what others may wish, but then of course----” Here Mrs. Sandow -appeared to forget what she had started out to say, but she switched -off on another tack and asked: - -“Do you remember me telling you that the water pipes in the kitchen -would need fixing?” - -“I--er--I seem to remember----” began the doctor. - -“No, you don’t remember, and that’s just the trouble. You don’t -remember anything. You’d forget to eat if I didn’t call you.” - -“Oh, now I remember!” cried the doctor. “It was about the furnace. You -said we’d need a new grate. I knew I would remember that, because I -associated it in my mind with a book about Alexander the Great, and----” - -“No, no! Nothing of the sort,” interrupted Mrs. Sandow. “That was -last year when the grate broke, and you had to get a new one. This is -about the water pipes in the kitchen. What I came to tell you was that -one had burst, the water is spouting all over the room, and we need a -plumber right away!” - -“Bless my soul! Why didn’t you say so at once?” asked the doctor, in -some alarm. - -“I would have, only you had your door locked, and an honest person -can’t make her way about,” and the housekeeper looked very much hurt. - -“I’ll get a plumber at once,” said the doctor. “I know where there -is one, on this street, or is it the next street?--I can’t seem to -remember now----” - -“And the water is squirting all over the kitchen,” went on Mrs. Sandow. -“It ought to be shut off, only I don’t know where to shut it off. -That’s another secret about this house,” she added significantly. - -“I think I can find out the place to shut it off,” said Tom. “Very -likely it’s down in the cellar.” - -“Humph! It’s a good thing you know something,” said Mrs. Sandow, with a -sniff. - -In a few moments the telephone boy had shut off the water, and the -plumber had been summoned. That mechanic promised to come at once, and -repair the leak. - -“If you had attended to the pipe when I told you to,” went on Mrs. -Sandow, when the excitement had somewhat calmed down, “this never would -have happened.” - -“I meant to,” said the doctor, “but I forgot----” - -“You’re always forgetting,” interrupted his sister-in-law. “Some day -you’ll forget to come home, or lose yourself and then----” - -“I’ve lost something now,” exclaimed the doctor. “We were just hunting -for something when you knocked, Mrs. Sandow. Have you seen----” - -Tom was attacked with a sudden fit of coughing. He wanted to attract -the doctor’s attention, and warn him not to speak of the papers. - -“Bless my soul!” exclaimed the physician, when he saw what a spasm Tom -was having. “That’s a terrible cough. You must take something for it. I -would write you a prescription, only I have such a wretched memory that -I might start to give you something for a cough, and end up by writing -out directions how to cure the mumps. You haven’t the mumps, have you?” - -“I had them once, and that was enough,” said Tom. “But, doctor, perhaps -I had better call another time.” - -Tom thought that if he went away, and came back, he would have a chance -to speak to the physician alone, and warn him. - -But the doctor did not seem to understand. He knew he had been looking -for something, and that he had not found it. He appealed to the -housekeeper, and Tom began to fear that all his plans would miscarry. - -However, Mrs. Sandow, likely thinking that with such a poor memory to -depend on she could obtain no information from the doctor, or else -recollecting that her kitchen was covered with water from the burst -pipe, hurried from the room. Tom saw his chance, and took it. - -“I didn’t want to speak of the papers before her,” he said. “She -might----” - -“Oh, yes, it was papers we were looking for,” interrupted the doctor. -“I remember now. We couldn’t find them. But they must be here -somewhere. I’ll look in some other valuable books.” - -But the papers were not to be found. Search as the two did, in all -likely and unlikely places, the missing documents were not disclosed. - -“I guess we can’t find them,” spoke Tom. - -“It does look that way,” admitted the doctor. “I wonder what we had -better do next?” - -The aged physician seemed quite helpless in the face of this emergency. - -“You had better come with me to see Mr. Boise,” suggested Tom. “He -can tell you what to do. I may say to you, Dr. Spidderkins, that your -estate is in danger.” - -“In danger? From whom?” - -“I am not sure that Mr. Boise would want me to tell you, but I will -risk saying that he suspects Mr. and Mrs. Sandow.” - -“What? Those two whom I have trusted in everything?” - -“Mr. Boise suspects them, and also suspects a young lawyer in his -office.” - -“Oh, dear!” exclaimed the doctor. “I know nothing about business. All I -know about is books. Do you suppose they have got everything I possess? -I used to be a rich man.” - -He was quite distressed, but Tom hastened to assure him that he -thought the plot had been discovered in time. - -“I left everything to Mr. and Mrs. Sandow,” went on the physician. “I -gave them money whenever they wanted it, and I signed the checks they -made out for the tradesmen’s bills. Now to think how they have repaid -me!” - -“We had better hurry down to the office,” urged Tom. “I think Mr. Boise -will be waiting for you.” - -“Very well, I will go at once. Let me see, where did I put that book I -was reading? Oh, here it is. I think I will take it along with me. It -may calm my mind.” - -He started from the library, Tom following. The doctor got to the door, -and was going out, when the telephone boy called his attention to the -fact that he had neither hat nor coat on, and there was a cold March -wind blowing. - -“Bless my soul! I forgot all about a hat,” admitted the aged physician. -“I am getting quite forgetful. I was wondering where I could get a copy -of the first edition of Carlyle’s Sartor Resartus. I have only a common -edition, and I want a rare one. Thank you,” he added, as Tom handed him -his hat and coat from the rack. - -“Where are you going, Lemuel?” asked Mrs. Sandow, as she suddenly -appeared in the hall. - -“I--I am going out,” answered the doctor mildly. - -“Going out? This cold day! You forgot you were to sign some checks for -the grocer and butcher.” - -“I thought I made out those checks.” - -“No; they were for the milkman and the coal dealer.” - -“Well, I suppose I must make them out.” - -“Perhaps they will do when we get back,” suggested Tom, for he had an -idea the woman was only carrying out the general plan of herself and -her husband, to cheat Dr. Spidderkins out of as much money as possible -by getting him to sign extra checks. - -“What do you know about it, young man?” asked Mrs. Sandow sharply. - -“The doctor is in a hurry to get to his lawyer’s office, and I thought -the checks might wait until he returned.” - -“Are you going to a lawyer’s office?” asked Mrs. Sandow, with suspicion -in her tone. - -“I--I believe so--or was it the book store?” replied Dr. Spidderkins. - -“The lawyer’s first, and then, if you like, to the book store,” -answered Tom with a smile at the old man’s eccentricities. - -“You had better stay in,” suggested Mrs. Sandow, in more gentle tones. -“It is very cold out, and perhaps I can go for you.” - -Dr. Spidderkins hesitated. It was easy for Tom to see that the woman -exercised considerable control over the aged physician. But the -telephone boy was determined to frustrate her schemes. - -“We had better hurry,” said Tom, taking hold of the old man’s arm. “Mr. -Boise will be waiting for us.” - -“Yes--yes, we must hurry,” assented the doctor. “I’ll be back soon, -Mrs. Sandow, and perhaps,” he added significantly, “you will not be so -glad to see me.” - -“Not glad to see you? Why, I am always glad to see you, Lemuel,” said -the woman, with a whine. “I am very fond of you. I was only anxious for -your own good, when I spoke.” - -“And for your own, and your husband’s,” thought Tom. - -The woman saw it would be useless to protest further. Tom and his aged -friend left, boarded a car, and were riding toward the law office. - -Once there Mr. Boise soon explained to the doctor the plots of Mr. and -Mrs. Sandow. The documents, which had come in the mail to Mr. Cutler, -proved to be deeds and mortgages which the physician had, unknowingly, -signed the night before. They transferred the control of most of his -property to his rascally relatives. - -“Is it too late to prevent the loss of my estate?” asked the doctor. - -“Well, I am afraid you will lose some of it,” replied the lawyer. “They -have been deceiving you for a long time, and, very likely, they have -a good share of your money now. You have been so wrapped up in your -books, that you did not know about it.” - -“Can’t we prevent them from getting away with it?” asked Dr. -Spidderkins, as he seemed to rouse to sudden anger at the thought of -the manner in which he had been swindled. - -“Yes, perhaps, if we act promptly.” - -“Then let’s act promptly!” exclaimed the physician. “We’ll go back to -my house and we’ll clean the rascals out, bag and baggage! I’m an old -man, but when I get roused up I’m as good as a young one!” - -To look at him one would not doubt this, for the doctor seemed to have -grown several years younger. He had been carrying a book but now he -thrust it into his pocket as if it was of no value. He was thoroughly -in earnest. - -“Come on,” he said, to Tom and Mr. Boise. “We’ll go and see if we can’t -end their plots! I’ll have something to say to Mr. and Mrs. Sandow that -they won’t like.” - -“That’s the way to talk!” exclaimed Mr. Boise admiringly. “You’ve been -too much engrossed in your books heretofore, Dr. Spidderkins.” - -“I guess I have. I need some honest persons to look after me. Well, -maybe I’ll get them, after this affair is over.” - -Accompanied by Tom and Mr. Boise the doctor went back home, to “clear -the rascals out,” as he expressed it several times, on the ride to the -Back Bay district. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -THE FLIGHT - - -“Suppose we should be too late,” suggested the doctor, as they neared -the house. - -“I think we will be in time,” replied Mr. Boise. “Of course Mrs. Sandow -may become suspicious over what happened while Tom was there, and she -may inform her husband. But they can do little now.” - -“Can we get back what they have already taken?” inquired the physician. -“I am not overly fond of money, in fact all I use it for is to buy -books, but I do not like to be robbed and cheated, especially by those -whom I have befriended. When my brother died I told his widow she could -live with me as my housekeeper. Then, when she got married again, I -still allowed her and her husband to live in my house. And this is the -way they have repaid me!” - -“I fancy we will be able to make them give up their ill-gotten spoils,” -remarked the lawyer. “But we must first catch them.” - -“You say one of your partners was mixed in with Sandow in the game?” -asked Dr. Spidderkins. - -“Yes; I am sorry to say Mr. Cutler seems to be involved. Without his -aid Barton Sandow could not have done what he has. But I shall deal -with him, and also with a man named Leeth, who aided him and Sandow.” - -“I was just wondering if perhaps that Cutler might not suspect -something, and give the Sandows warning,” suggested the doctor. - -“I never thought of that,” admitted Mr. Boise. “He may do so. Still, it -is too late now. We will go to your house. I want to have a talk with -Mrs. Sandow.” - -“And I’d like to meet that rascally husband of hers,” added the doctor -grimly. “I’ll have something to say to him.” - -“I fancy Mrs. Sandow is as guilty as her husband,” went on Mr. Boise. -“She knew of your wealth, and probably suggested to him that they try -to secure control of it. Well, they very nearly succeeded. But we are -getting near your home, are we not, Dr. Spidderkins?” - -“Yes; we’ll get out at the next corner.” - -They alighted and turned up the long walk to the house. - -“Now, if you haven’t forgotten your key, we can get in without ringing -the bell,” said the lawyer. - -Dr. Spidderkins began to search through his various pockets. - -“There!” he exclaimed. “There’s that letter I forgot to mail. It’s -about some choice books, too. Bless my soul, but I am getting -forgetful. Let’s see, what was it I was looking for?” - -“Your key,” replied Tom. - -“Oh, yes. Well, this must be it. For a wonder I didn’t forget to bring -it.” - -“Perhaps we can surprise Mrs. Sandow,” suggested the lawyer. “Don’t -make any more noise than you can help.” - -Softly the door was opened, and then on tiptoes they entered the hall. -The house seemed strangely quiet. - -“She’ll probably be in the sitting-room,” suggested the physician, -but the woman was not there. Nor was she in any of the downstairs -apartments. - -“Look in her bedroom,” proposed the lawyer. - -The three ascended the stairs. No voice called to know who was coming -up. The house remained quiet. - -“I guess she’s gone,” said Mr. Boise. - -“I’m afraid so,” admitted Dr. Spidderkins. - -A glance into Mrs. Sandow’s room showed that she had taken flight. The -apartment was in confusion. Clothing was scattered about, as though -she had hastily packed what she could, and gone off. - -“This is too bad!” exclaimed Mr. Boise. “I depended on making her -confess, before she saw her husband. She has probably joined him.” - -“And taken a lot of my money with her,” added the physician. “I only -hope they did not disturb my valuable books. I must look and see.” - -A hasty search convinced him that his precious volumes were undisturbed -in the library. - -“I wonder where she has gone to?” mused the lawyer. “I would like to -find her.” - -Tom, who was in the front hall, uttered an exclamation as he picked up -a scrap of yellow paper. - -“Here’s part of a telegram,” he said. - -“So it is. Perhaps Sandow telegraphed for her to meet him. Can you make -out any words on it, Tom?” - -“There are parts of some words, and two complete ones. It reads: ‘--eet -me at Park--’ and then comes a tear.” - -“See if we can’t find the other pieces,” suggested the doctor. “She -probably tore it up, and scattered them about.” - -But a close search failed to reveal anything more. The remainder of the -telegram appeared to be destroyed. - -“Let’s use a little detective ability, and see if we can’t guess what -the entire telegram was,” suggested Mr. Boise. - -“This is about the middle part of a telegraph blank,” said Tom. - -“How do you know?” asked the doctor. - -“I can tell from the printing on the back. I once worked as a messenger -boy for a few weeks.” - -“That’s one point,” remarked Mr. Boise. “If this is the middle part of -the message, there must have been several words before these, and some -after them. Probably the first part told Mrs. Sandow that everything -was discovered. Then came this sentence ‘Meet me at Park--’; but what -park is there around here?” - -“None where they would be likely to meet,” replied Tom, who knew that -part of Boston pretty well by this time. “I have it!” he exclaimed. “It -isn’t a park. It’s Parker House. I saw Sandow there one night!” - -“That’s it! Why didn’t I think of that!” exclaimed Mr. Boise. “Tom, -you’ll be a better lawyer than I am, if you keep on.” - -“Come on then!” said Dr. Spidderkins. “We must go to the Parker House -and arrest them! They shan’t get away with my money if I can help it!” - -“We’d better hurry,” suggested Tom. “The Parker House is quite a ride -from here.” - -“I have a better plan than that,” remarked the lawyer. “I’ll telephone -to my office, and have Mr. Keen get a policeman and go to the Parker -House. He can get there before we will, and he can cause the arrest of -the couple.” - -“Good!” cried the doctor. “There’s a telephone in my house here, but I -always forget to use it, and whenever I want anything I generally walk -after it. Now it will come in handy.” - -Mr. Boise was soon in communication with Mr. Keen, and told him how to -proceed. - -“Arrest them at once,” said the elderly lawyer. “What’s that? Cutler -came back, took some papers from his desk, and hurried away again? -Well, say nothing about that until I return. - -“I think we have seen the last of Mr. Cutler,” remarked Mr. Boise as -he hung up the receiver. “Well, perhaps it is better so. I should have -gotten rid of him in any event.” - -“Perhaps he has some papers belonging to me,” said Dr. Spidderkins. - -“No. Before we came away I went through his desk, and I took out all -the documents referring to your estate. But I hope Keen is in time.” - -“Let’s go and see,” suggested the physician, and, locking up his house, -he, together with Mr. Boise and Tom, hurried to the Parker House. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -TOM’S PROMOTION--CONCLUSION - - -Never had a trolley car seemed to travel so slowly as did that one from -the Back Bay section, in which the three anxious ones rode. But finally -they reached their destination. As they hurried into the lobby of the -hotel they were met by Mr. Keen. - -“Well?” asked Mr. Boise anxiously. - -“We caught them just in time,” replied his partner. “They had engaged a -cab, and had tickets to New York, when I appeared on the scene with an -officer, and placed them under arrest.” - -“Where are they now?” - -“Safe in a room, with a policeman on guard. I thought that better than -taking them to the station house, as I believe they will confess, and -make restitution. They are both badly frightened.” - -This proved to be the case. All the bluster had gone from Mr. Sandow, -and his wife was no longer the sneering woman she had been. She was -weeping in one corner of the room as Dr. Spidderkins and his friends -entered. - -“So, this is the way you repay me for my kindness to you both, is it?” -the aged physician exclaimed. - -“Oh, Lemuel, forgive me!” pleaded his sister-in-law. “I don’t know why -we did it! But you had so much money and we didn’t have any.” - -“I would always have provided you with a comfortable home,” went on the -doctor. “But now I will compel you to give up what you stole, and I -will turn you out of my house.” - -“We’ll--we’ll give it all back, Lemuel,” promised Mrs. Sandow. “We -didn’t spend much of it. That lawyer got some, but the rest we have.” - -“Yes; Eli Cutler is as guilty as we are,” added Mr. Sandow. “Why don’t -you arrest him?” - -“Perhaps we will,” replied Mr. Boise. “But are you now ready to turn -over to Dr. Spidderkins all that you took belonging to him?” - -“I suppose so,” mumbled Sandow. - -“If they do I think it would be better to avoid the notoriety of an -arrest and prosecution,” suggested the lawyer to his client. - -Dr. Spidderkins nodded, and thus the matter was arranged. Sandow turned -over to the lawyer certain valuable papers, bonds and mortgages which -he had managed to secure from the doctor, chiefly through that old -gentleman’s forgetfulness about business details. The scheming couple -had also secured considerable cash, by the simple process of making the -doctor make out checks twice for the same bill. The second checks they -kept for themselves. - -“There will be no prosecution, in case you leave Boston and never -return,” said Mr. Boise, when the details had been completed, and most -of Dr. Spidderkins’ stolen fortune had been restored to him. “Do you -agree to that?” - -“We have to, I suppose,” remarked Sandow. - -He and his wife left the Parker House, taking their baggage with them. -The police officer escorted them to the depot--to see that they took -the train. - -“Now that this disagreeable business is over, I think I can return to -my home and my books,” remarked Dr. Spidderkins. “I suppose you will -deal with Mr. Cutler?” - -“I do not think there will be a chance,” replied Mr. Boise. “I fancy he -is far enough away from here by this time.” - -After events proved that he was, for he sailed for England with his -ill-gotten gains, which, however, were much smaller than they would -have been, had not Tom heard that mysterious message going over the -wire, and acted as he did. Mr. Leeth also disappeared, but he had -secured only a small sum. - -“I can not tell you how much I am indebted to you, for what you have -done for me, Mr. Boise,” went on the doctor. “If it had not been for -you I would be a poor man to-day, and I could never buy any more choice -books.” - -“Don’t thank me; thank Tom. He is the hero on this occasion,” replied -the lawyer, looking at the telephone boy. “He engineered all this, and, -by revealing to me the duplicity of my partner, enabled me to act in -time to save your wealth. Had it not been for Tom we never could have -succeeded.” - -“That’s so,” agreed the doctor heartily. “I had nearly forgotten that. -Oh, what shall I do about my treacherous memory? But I’ll not forget -you, Tom. I am a little tired over this excitement, but I will call on -you this evening, and properly express my appreciation. Where do you -live?” - -Tom gave him the address, the physician writing it down on the fly-leaf -of a book, as the best place for such an important memorandum. - -“You need not report back to the office, Tom,” said his employer. “I -fancy you have done enough for one day.” - -“Thank you,” replied our hero, as he left the hotel and went home. - -It seemed that Mrs. Baldwin, and Tom’s Aunt Sallie would never finish -asking questions about what had happened, when Tom told them the -occurrences of the day. - -“And to think that you did the most part,” exclaimed his aunt. - -“Oh, well, it just happened so,” replied Tom, who was nothing if not -modest. “I guess the telephone did the most part. That’s a wonderful -invention.” - -They were talking in the small sitting-room after supper that evening, -when there came a knock on the door. - -“I’ll go,” said Tom, and when he opened the portal there stood Dr. -Spidderkins. - -“Does Tom Baldwin----” he began, when he saw the boy who had been of -such service to him. “Why, of course, there you are,” he finished. “I -guess I must have knocked at half a dozen houses. You see I wrote your -address down in a book, and then I forgot what book I had written it -in. But I called up Mr. Boise and, fortunately, he remembered it. I -have come to thank you for what you did for me.” - -“Come in,” invited Tom, and he ushered the guest into the modest -sitting-room. - -“This is my mother, Dr. Spidderkins,” he said, “and my aunt, Miss -Ramsey.” - -“Ramsey--Ramsey----” repeated the physician. “Why, I used to know a -Ramsey family. Let me see, there was a Jeanette Ramsey--and a Sallie -Ramsey--and--why, bless my soul--you’re Jeanette Ramsey, aren’t you?” -and he looked at Tom’s mother. - -“That was my name before I was married. But is this the Dr. Spidderkins -that used to live in Lowell?” - -“The very same. Bless my soul! I suppose I’ve grown so old you wouldn’t -know me, but I’d remember you anywhere,” said the doctor gallantly, -with a bow to the ladies. “Bless my soul! To think of meeting you -again, after all these years. Tom, you young rascal, why didn’t you -tell me your mother was Jeanette Ramsey, with whom I used to play when -I was a boy, though I was ever so much older than she was?” - -“You never asked me,” replied Tom. - -The doctor spent a pleasant evening with his former friends, talking -over old times. - -“I heard Tom speak of a Dr. Spidderkins,” said Mrs. Baldwin, “but I did -not know it was the one I used to know.” - -“Well, well, this is a strange world,” mused the old gentleman. “But I -am nearly forgetting what I came for, in the excitement of meeting you -two ladies again. Tom, I want to show my appreciation of what you did -for me. I understand from Mr. Boise that you want to study law. There -is no better profession in the world. Now I am going to send you to -college and then to a law school. I expect you to graduate with honors, -and then you can look after my legal business for me, for I am getting -to have such a bad memory that I need a guardian. Will you go, Tom?” - -Tom was silent a moment. The offer was so unexpected that it nearly -took his breath away. He had never dreamed of such advancement. - -“Well,” asked Dr. Spidderkins, inquiringly, “I hope you don’t prefer -being a telephone boy to becoming a lawyer?” - -“Oh, no. If I could study law I think I would like it better than -anything else.” - -“Then you shall study law,” went on the doctor firmly. “It’s the least -I can do for you, after you saved my fortune for me. After you graduate -I shall see that you do not lack for practice. - -“There is another matter. Now that the Sandows are gone I shall be all -alone in that big house. That would never do. I need some one to look -after me, or I would forget to eat. Won’t you come and take charge of -the place, Mrs. Baldwin? I would pay you and Miss Ramsey well, and it -would be a good home for Tom.” - -It did not need much urging to have the two women give up their sewing -work, which had paid very poorly of late, and accept the doctor’s -offer. Within a week they were established in the Spidderkins mansion, -and Tom had been entered at college, where he was to make a specialty -of law. - -One evening, not long after this, Tom was called to the telephone, in -the doctor’s house. He heard a girl’s voice speaking. - -“Is this Tom Baldwin?” she asked. - -“Yes. Who is this?” - -“I thought you were coming over to see my brother, and learn something -about a telephone switchboard,” came back over the wire, followed by a -jolly laugh. - -“Oh, so I am. Why, it’s--it’s Minnie Renfield!” exclaimed Tom, as he -recognized the voice of the central girl, who had done him such a good -turn. - -“Of course it is,” she replied. “When are you coming over?” - -“I don’t need to learn about a switchboard any more,” replied Tom. “I’m -going to study law. But I’m coming to see--your brother, just the same.” - -Minnie laughed. - -Tom went at the difficult study of law as he had done at learning how -to operate a switchboard, and he did well. Soon after our hero left the -law office, Charley Grove took his place, as the brokerage firm he was -with failed, and Charley made a most efficient telephone operator. - -As for Tom, when he graduated, and had to spend some time in a law -office, before he could be admitted to the bar, he naturally selected -the firm of Boise & Keen, for Mr. Cutler’s name was dropped after his -flight. - -To-day the firm is Boise, Keen & Baldwin, for Tom, in a few years, -was made the junior member. He no longer lives in Dr. Spidderkins’ -house, though his mother and aunt continue to reside there, for Tom -is married, but I don’t believe you can guess who the young lady was. -What’s that? Minnie Renfield, the telephone girl? Why, how ever in the -world did you guess it, boys? - - -THE END - - - - -TO THE READER - - -Now that you have finished reading this story, we desire to call your -attention to all the other volumes in this remarkable series for boys. - -We feel that we have made a distinct find in Mr. Frank V. Webster, who -is under contract to write exclusively for the Cupples & Leon Company. -Mr. Webster’s style is very much like that of the late-lamented Mr. -Alger, but his tales are all thoroughly up-to-date. This author, though -still young, has been a great traveler, and therefore he knows exactly -what he is writing about, be it a story of city or country life, a tale -of the far west, or of the frozen north. - -“How can you write such fine stories?” a boy once asked Mr. Webster. - -“Oh, I guess it comes natural,” answered the author. “I have been -through so much and seen so much, it seems as if I could go on telling -stories forever.” - -On the following pages we give the outlines of some of Mr. Webster’s -stories. Read them--they will interest you. - - - - -THE BOY FROM THE RANCH - - -Did you ever stop to think how strange life in a big city must appear -to a boy who has never been anywhere but on the boundless plains? - -“I simply had to write that story--I couldn’t help it,” said Mr. -Webster, in telling us how “The Boy from the Ranch; or, Roy Bradner’s -City Experiences,” came to be penned. “Some years ago I was on a ranch, -and there I met a lad just like Roy, who told me of all the things that -had happened to him when he went to Chicago for his uncle on business.” - -In this story of life on the plains and in New York, Roy is a clever -lad who knows how to take his own part, no matter what happens. His -father being sick, he is sent to the great metropolis to transact -some business. Everything is new and strange to him and he makes some -queer mistakes which make very funny reading. He falls into the hands -of a sharper who has been cheating Mr. Bradner out of the income of -some valuable property. The sharper and his tools try to get the ranch -boy out of the way. But--well, Roy turns the tables, and makes things -mighty warm for the fellows. - -A splendid volume, bound in cloth, and well illustrated. Published by -the Cupples & Leon Company, at thirty-five cents. Sent postpaid if you -can not get it from your bookseller. - - - - -THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER - - -Do you like stories of the frozen north? of great hardships amid -ice and snow? and of thrilling encounters with wild beasts and with -thieving Indians? If you do you will not want to miss Frank V. -Webster’s book entitled: “The Young Treasure Hunter; or, Fred Stanley’s -Trip to Alaska.” - -“The most interesting story of the Alaskan gold fields I ever read,” -one boy has written to us. “My father was one of the first men to go to -Alaska, and he says the pictures of life there are true. I guess Mr. -Webster must have been there himself.” - -This story tells of how a poor boy joined a party in search of a golden -treasure, and of how, after the treasure was discovered, a bad man, -aided by some Alaskan Indians, tried to get the wealth away. Fred -proved himself a hero on more than one occasion, and we know all boys -will like him for that. On one occasion the youth brings down a fine -moose, and on another he and his chum suffer from snow blindness and -become lost in the dazzling whiteness. - -This book might easily have been issued at one dollar or one dollar and -a half, but Mr. Webster insisted that the price be made the same as on -all his other volumes, namely, thirty-five cents. Issued by the Cupples -& Leon Company, New York, and for sale by booksellers everywhere. - - - - -BOB THE CASTAWAY - - -One day Mr. Webster came into our office and placed a manuscript on the -desk of our editor. - -“Did you ever take a sea voyage when you were a boy?” he asked as he -dropped into a chair. - -The editor said he had never had that pleasure. - -“Well, I did--and I was wrecked, too,” went on the author. “And I was -sent to sea for the same reason that Bob Henderson had to go.” - -Then we got very curious and read the story, which had for its title: -“Bob the Castaway; or, The Wreck of the Eagle.” We had to laugh when we -read that yarn. Bob was such a fun-loving fellow, and he played such -awful jokes. He tried to play a joke on an old sea captain at a church -donation party, but, to the boy’s horror, the minister got the benefit -(?) of the fun. Then Bob’s parents sent him to sea to cure him, and the -boy was wrecked on an island in the Pacific, and had many thrilling -adventures. It’s a true-to-life story, for it contains many pages out -of Mr. Webster’s own experiences. A very nervous passenger on the ship -makes a lot of unconscious fun. There is a great hurricane, and an -encounter with South Sea natives. - -A fine volume, bound in cloth, and well illustrated, and the price is -thirty-five cents. Buy it from your bookseller, or send to the Cupples -& Leon Company, New York, for it. - - - - -THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE - - -“Fire! fire! fire!” - -That is the cry that sometimes thrills us, ringing out during the day -or in the silent hours of the night. And who is it whose heart does not -jump within him when he sees the devouring flames leaping skyward, and -sees the engines, hose-carts and long hook-and-ladder trucks dashing -through the streets to put out the conflagration? - -The life of the fireman is one full of excitement and often of peril. -This Mr. Frank V. Webster fully realized when he wrote, “The Young -Firemen of Lakeville; or, Herbert Dare’s Pluck.” How the boys became -dissatisfied with the old “bucket brigade” and organized a real fire -company, and how they worked at more than one fire, is told with great -fidelity to life. And then there is the secret of the old mansion, and -that is worked up in Mr. Webster’s best style. - -“The mystery in this story is taken from life,” Mr. Webster wrote us. -“It surrounded an old man and a fortune worth nearly half a million -dollars. A good-for-nothing grandson wanted to get it away from him.” - -Published, as are all the Frank V. Webster books, by the Cupples & Leon -Company, New York. Bound in cloth, illustrated, and for sale everywhere -at thirty-five cents. - - - - -THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS - - -“Say, what’s the matter with you, anyhow?” - -That was the question that Jimmy Small, a New York newsboy, asked when -first he met Dick, in a dark alleyway, where Jimmy had gone to sleep -because he didn’t have the price of a bed at the lodging-house. - -Dick was a well-dressed boy, and lay there with a nasty cut on the -head. He couldn’t tell how he had got into the alleyway or where he -had come from. All he could remember was his first name--and as he was -found in a box, Jimmy called him Dick Box. - -The poor newsboy befriended Dick, and the two became partners. Dick -could not remember his past, but he remembered how to read and write, -and he taught Jimmy, and the two worked their way upward. Then one -day something happened--something truly wonderful--and Dick--well, he -didn’t remain poor, unknown Dick Box for a great while longer. - -This story, issued under the title of “The Newsboy Partners; or, Who -Was Dick Box?” is a fascinating tale, told in Mr. Webster’s best style. -Splendidly illustrated, bound in cloth, price thirty-five cents. -Published by the Cupples & Leon Co., New York. Ask your bookseller to -show you this volume. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - Archaic or variant spelling has been retained. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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Webster—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover" /> - <style> /* <![CDATA[ */ - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tiny {width: 10%; margin-left: 45%; margin-right: 45%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -.tdr {text-align: right;} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; - text-indent: 0; -} - -.bbox {border: 2px solid; padding: 1em;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.illoright {margin-left: 23em;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} -.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} - -div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} -div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} - -.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} -.large {font-size: 125%;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} - -.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - -.poetry-container {text-align: center;} -.poetry {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} - -@media print { .poetry {display: block;} } -.x-ebookmaker .poetry {display: block;} - -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; - padding: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - - /* ]]> */ </style> -</head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom the telephone boy, by Frank V. Webster</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Tom the telephone boy</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>or, The mystery of a message</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Frank V. Webster</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: July 7, 2022 [eBook #68471]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David Edwards, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“Mr. Cutter came in, turning on the electric light as he did so.”<br /> -<span class="illoright"><i>Page <a href="#Page_164">164</a></i></span></p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/titlepage.jpg" alt="" /></div> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>Tom the Telephone Boy</h1> -<p><span class="large">Or<br /> -The Mystery of a Message</span></p> - -<p>BY<br /> - -<span class="xlarge">FRANK V. WEBSTER</span><br /> - -AUTHOR OF “BOB THE CASTAWAY,” “THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS,” “THE<br /> -YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER,” “ONLY A FARM BOY,” ETC.</p> - -<p>ILLUSTRATED</p> - -<p>NEW YORK<br /> -<span class="large">CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY</span><br /> -PUBLISHERS</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="bbox"> - -<p class="ph1">BOOKS FOR BOYS</p> - -<p class="center"><i>By FRANK V. WEBSTER</i></p> - -<p class="center">12 mo. Illustrated. Bound in cloth. Price per<br /> -volume, 35 cents, postpaid</p> - -<p>ONLY A FARM BOY, Or Dan Hardy’s Rise in Life</p> - -<p>TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY, Or The Mystery -of a Message</p> - -<p>THE BOY FROM THE RANCH, Or Roy Bradner’s -City Experiences</p> - -<p>THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER, Or Fred -Stanley’s Trip to Alaska</p> - -<p>BOB THE CASTAWAY, Or The Wreck of the -Eagle</p> - -<p>THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE, Or -Herbert Dare’s Pluck</p> - -<p>THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS, Or Who Was Dick -Box?</p> - -<p>THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES, Or Nat -Morton’s Perils</p> - -<p>TWO BOY GOLD MINERS, Or Lost in the -Mountains</p> - -<p>JACK THE RUNAWAY, Or On the Road with a -Circus</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York</i></p> -</div></div></div> - -<p class="center"> -Copyright, 1909, by<br /> -CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY<br /> -<br /> -TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - -<table> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">I</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Queer Customer</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1"> 1</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">II</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tom Is Suspicious</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_14"> 14</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">III</td><td> <span class="smcap">Busy Days</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22"> 22</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Strange Actions</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_30"> 30</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">V</td><td> <span class="smcap">Charley Grove’s Idea</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_39"> 39</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VI</td><td> <span class="smcap">Out of Work</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_45"> 45</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Looking for a Situation</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_54"> 54</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Dr. Spidderkins’ Pocketbook</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_63"> 63</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IX</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tom Learns Something</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70"> 70</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">X</td><td> <span class="smcap">Getting a Place</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_77"> 77</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XI</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tom Makes a Discovery</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_85"> 85</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Seeking Information</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_97"> 97</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Mysterious Message</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_105"> 105</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Sandow Is Alarmed</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112"> 112</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Mr. Cutler’s Visitor</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_119"> 119</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVI</td><td> <span class="smcap">An Odd Client</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_124"> 124</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVII</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Mean Plot</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_132"> 132</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tom Is Accused</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_140"> 140</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIX</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Girl’s Testimony</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_145"> 145</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XX</td><td> <span class="smcap">Vindication of Tom</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_153"> 153</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXI</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tom Tells His Suspicions</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159"> 159</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Missing Papers</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_165"> 165</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Dr. Spidderkins Is Angry</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_176"> 176</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Flight</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_190"> 190</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Tom’s Promotion—Conclusion</span>    </td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_196"> 196</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span> - -<p class="ph2">TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY</p> - -<hr class="tiny" /> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br /> - -<small>A QUEER CUSTOMER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Hurrah</span>! Good news, mother!” cried Tom -Baldwin, as he hurried into the house, throwing -his hat on the rack. “Fine luck! Where are -you?”</p> - -<p>“Upstairs, sewing,” replied a woman’s voice. -“My, Tom, but you are making quite a noise.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t help it, mother! I’ve got good news! -I’ve got a job!”</p> - -<p>“Have you really, Tom? Come right up and -tell us about it. I’m very glad!”</p> - -<p>“Tell him to be sure and wipe his feet,” added -another woman’s voice, from the same upstairs-room -where Mrs. Baldwin was sewing. “The -snow’s melting outside, and he’ll track it all over -the house.”</p> - -<p>“I guess he has already done so, Sallie,” said -Tom’s mother a little ruefully. “He’s half-way -upstairs now.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span>“Land sakes! And that carpet only just -cleaned! What terrible creatures boys are!”</p> - -<p>“Not so very bad, Sallie,” replied Mrs. Baldwin -with a smile.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Tom was coming up the stairs with -a rush, and when he reached the top he found -his mother in the hall waiting for him. He kissed -her affectionately, and then followed her into the -room from which she had emerged to greet him.</p> - -<p>The apartment was a small front one, and contained -two sewing machines, and, from the cloth, -patterns, needles and thread scattered about, it did -not need a sign to tell that dressmaking was conducted -in it.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Aunt Sallie!” exclaimed Tom, as he -prepared to sit down on a chair near the door.</p> - -<p>“Mercy! Goodness me! Don’t sit there!” -cried Miss Sarah Ramsey, Tom’s maiden aunt, who -was called “Sallie” by Tom and by his mother. -“Look out, Thomas!”</p> - -<p>“Why? What’s the matter? Is there a pin or -a needle in it?” asked Tom, as he paused and -looked apprehensively at the chair, which contained -some fluffy white material.</p> - -<p>“Needle! Pin! Why, Thomas Jefferson Baldwin! -That’s the ruching for the neck of Mrs. -Anderson’s new dress, and if you had sat on that, -and crushed it, I don’t know what I’d have done,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span> -and Aunt Sallie became positively pale over the -thought.</p> - -<p>Tom knew she had been much wrought up over -the threatened calamity, for she never gave him -his full name—Thomas Jefferson Baldwin—unless -she was very serious indeed.</p> - -<p>“Huh!” exclaimed the boy. “I didn’t think that -bunch of white stuff was anything.”</p> - -<p>“There, Tom, I’ll take it out of the way,” said -his mother. “Now you can sit down and tell us -all about it.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and try and be quiet about it,” cautioned -his aunt. “When you talk so loud you make my -head ache, and my nerves are all unstrung now -with trying to get the sleeves in this waist. I never -saw such styles as they wear now-a-days.”</p> - -<p>“Have you really got work, Tom?” asked Mrs. -Baldwin.</p> - -<p>“Yes, mother, and a good job, too.”</p> - -<p>“Where is it?”</p> - -<p>“I hope it is in some place where you will have -a chance to advance, and improve yourself,” put -in Miss Ramsey quickly. “Boys need improving -very much, now-a-days.”</p> - -<p>“Then this ought to be just the place for it,” -said Tom, with a laugh. “It’s in a book store, -and I expect, before long, I’ll know enough, from -reading the books, to become a school teacher or -a professor.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span>“That would be very nice,” remarked Tom’s -aunt, as if he really meant what he said.</p> - -<p>“Have you really got a place in a book store, -Tom?” inquired his mother, as she threaded a -sewing machine, preparatory to doing some stitching.</p> - -<p>“Yes, in Townsend’s Book Emporium, as it’s -called. It’s on Milk Street, and it’s one of the -largest book stores in Boston. I saw a sign out -‘Boy Wanted,’ and I went in. I didn’t expect to -get the place, for I’ve been disappointed so often -of late, but I made up my mind I’d try.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Townsend—he’s a nice elderly gentleman—asked -me a lot of questions, and when I got -through answering them he told me to come to -work in the morning. Isn’t that good news?”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, it is,” replied Mrs. Baldwin.</p> - -<p>“How much will you get?” asked his aunt -anxiously. “When I was a girl, boys in book stores -didn’t get more than three dollars a week.”</p> - -<p>“Times have changed since then,” declared -Tom, with a laugh. “I’m to get five dollars. -There’s only one bad thing about it, though.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” asked Mrs. Baldwin.</p> - -<p>“I’m only hired during the holiday rush. They -want a boy to help out, and that’s what I’m to do. -I’ll have to look for something else after the first -of the year. Still, it’s better than nothing, and -there are four weeks more of this year left.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span>“I wish it was a permanent place,” remarked -Tom’s mother. “But, of course, as you say, it’s -better than nothing. Perhaps if you do well, they -may keep you permanently.”</p> - -<p>“I hope they do, mother. But have you any -work that you want me to take home?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet, Tom. Mrs. Anderson’s dress isn’t -quite finished. There is more work on it than I -thought there would be, and it is going to take me -a day longer.”</p> - -<p>“That means you won’t make so much money -then,” said Tom, soberly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is so. If I had it finished I could -sew on that skirt for Mrs. Thompson, and she is -prompt pay.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t sew as fast as I once could,” remarked -Tom’s aunt. “I’m afraid I’m not much help to -you, Jeanette.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, you are!” exclaimed Mrs. Baldwin, -kindly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you—and -Tom.”</p> - -<p>“If you haven’t anything for me to do then,” -went on the lad, “I think I’ll get something to eat. -I didn’t have any dinner.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Tom! Didn’t you?”</p> - -<p>“No; I saved the money for car fare, as I -didn’t know how far I’d have to go before I struck -a job. Then, when I got this one in the book store, -I thought I might as well come home and get a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span> -bite as to go to a restaurant, so I’ve got the quarter -left.”</p> - -<p>“But, Tom, you must take care of your health,” -said his mother. “Going without your dinner, to -save money, is poor economy. You can’t afford to -get sick, with two women to look after,” and she -smiled fondly at her son.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I guess it didn’t hurt me, mother. But -I certainly am hungry now. Is there any jam -left?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; you’ll find it in the pantry.”</p> - -<p>Tom went downstairs, and was soon rattling -away at the dishes in the cupboard.</p> - -<p>“Look at that!” exclaimed his aunt, as she -pointed to a patch of snow and mud left by Tom’s -shoes in the middle of the sewing room. “Isn’t -that awful! Oh, boys are such terrible creatures!”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad I have one,” declared Mrs. Baldwin -fondly, as she wiped up the mud with an old rag. -“There are worse things than muddy shoes, -Sallie.”</p> - -<p>Miss Ramsey sighed, but said nothing. Meanwhile, -the “terrible boy” was satisfying a very -healthy appetite, thinking, between bites, of his -good luck in finding work.</p> - -<p>For he needed employment very much. Tom -Baldwin’s father had died about three years before -this story opens, leaving his wife and son a small -house, in Boston, but no money. Of course, Mrs.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span> -Baldwin could have sold the house, and lived for -a time on what she got for it, but she preferred to -keep it. She had been a good seamstress in her -younger days, and she determined to try to earn -her living by dressmaking.</p> - -<p>But she soon found that dressmaking, as she -had seen it conducted when she was a girl in the -country, and the way it is done now-a-days, was -quite different. She could barely get enough to do -to make a living for herself and Tom, who was too -young to go to work, and who attended a public -school.</p> - -<p>Finding she had not the skill necessary to compete -with the department stores and with modern -dressmakers, Mrs. Baldwin sent for her maiden -sister to come and help her. Miss Ramsey was a -better sewer than Mrs. Baldwin, but her health -was poor, and between them, the two women could -barely make both ends meet.</p> - -<p>Much against her will Mrs. Baldwin had to -take Tom from school and put him to work. He -got a position in an office, where he earned three -dollars a week. This helped a little, and as he -proved efficient he was advanced until in about two -years he was earning eight dollars.</p> - -<p>Times seemed better then, for, having no house -rent to pay, Mrs. Baldwin got along fairly well on -Tom’s money, and what she and her sister could -earn. But the dressmaking business grew worse,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span> -instead of better, and the two women had to depend -more and more on Tom.</p> - -<p>Then came a dark day when the firm that Tom -worked for failed, and he and many others lost -their places. From then on the little family of -three had a hard struggle. Had it not been for -the sewing the women did, and which just managed -to keep them, the house would have had to -be sold.</p> - -<p>Work was hard to get in Boston, that year, and -it seemed with the approach of winter, that times -were worse than ever. Tom tramped the streets -day after day, looking for a situation, but in vain, -although occasionally he managed to get odd jobs -to do.</p> - -<p>Then came the unexpected, when he saw the -sign in front of the book store, applied, and was -taken. No wonder Tom felt happy as he rushed -home with the good news.</p> - -<p>The boy was at Townsend’s Book Emporium -early the next morning. There were several other -clerks employed, and Tom was told by the proprietor, -Elmer Townsend, that his duties would be -to run on all sorts of errands, to sweep out the -store, dust the books, and, in a rush, wait on -customers.</p> - -<p>“I want you to make yourself as familiar as possible -with the books,” said Mr. Townsend. “Here -is a catalogue, and I have marked on it just what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span> -part of the store each book is in. The price of -each book is written on the upper right-hand corner -of the first fly-leaf, but as it is in letters, instead -of figures, you will have to learn what the -letters mean.”</p> - -<p>Tom thought it was a queer plan to mark the -selling-price in letters instead of figures, but he was -soon enlightened.</p> - -<p>“That is done so customers will not know the -prices of books,” said his employer. “I take a -word of ten letters, and each letter represents a -figure from 1 to 0. Then, by combining the letters -I can make any figure I want. Do you understand?”</p> - -<p>Tom said that he did, and he had soon mastered -the little problem so that he could, after a little -study, tell the selling-price of any book, by looking -at the small letters on the first page.</p> - -<p>The book store was quite a large one. Tom -had never seen so many volumes in one room before, -except in a library, and he began to think he -had come to just the right place, for he was fond -of reading and study, and he made up his mind -he would have a good time perusing his favorite -volumes.</p> - -<p>But if our hero had an idea that clerks in book -stores spend their time pleasantly in looking at pictures -and reading stories, he was soon disappointed.</p> - -<p>He found himself ordered here and there by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span> -other clerks. He had to bring books from the -front of the store to the back, and from the back -to the front. He had to get out bundles of wrapping-paper, -and balls of twine. He had to dust -off long rows of volumes, and when a clerk was -trying to wait on two customers at once, Tom had -to tie up books to be sent to various addresses -given by the purchasers. The lad hoped he would -be sent out to do some delivering, but he learned -that the volumes went by a local express company, -with which Mr. Townsend had a yearly contract.</p> - -<p>Tom was in the back part of the store, arranging -some pamphlets that had been scattered about, -when he saw an elderly gentleman walk slowly -along the aisle formed by the book tables, and -pausing before some historic volumes, take one -from the row on the shelves.</p> - -<p>“Ha! Um! Here it is!” exclaimed the old -gentleman, as he peered through his spectacles at -the printed page. “I knew I was right. It isn’t -there! Here, boy!” he called suddenly, glancing -over the tops of his glasses at Tom. “Just you -hold this book open a minute, right there, and -keep your finger on this line,” and he held the -volume out to the lad. Wonderingly, Tom complied.</p> - -<p>The queer customer ran his finger along the row -of books, took out another, leafed it over rapidly, -and uttered an exclamation. Then, placing this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span> -book down on a table, and holding it open with -one hand, he reached for a third volume, which he -extended to Tom.</p> - -<p>“Open that at page twenty-one,” he said.</p> - -<p>“I can’t,” replied the boy, “unless I let go of -this other book.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so, I forgot. Well, give me the first -book. I can keep two places at once.”</p> - -<p>Tom passed it over, and the old gentleman now -had two books open before him.</p> - -<p>“Have you got page twenty-one?” he asked -Tom, as he bent close over the opened books.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Is there anything on it about the ancient Hickhites -having used belladonna in fevers?”</p> - -<p>“No,” answered Tom slowly, as he read down -the page. “This seems to be an account of how to -make a fruit cake.”</p> - -<p>“A fruit cake! What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“This is a cook book, sir,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p>“A cook book! Goodness me! I must have -picked up the wrong memoranda when I hurried -from the house.”</p> - -<p>He rapidly searched through his pockets, and -produced a crumpled piece of paper.</p> - -<p>“That’s what I did,” he announced. “I picked -up a memoranda made out by my sister-in-law. -It’s about buying a new cook book she saw advertised. -My memoranda was on the use of belladonna<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span> -among the ancient Hickhites. I differed -from a certain historian, and I wanted to look it -up. I have taken her memoranda, and left mine. -Well, well, I must be losing my memory. I’m -sorry I bothered you.”</p> - -<p>“It was no bother at all,” said Tom politely.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad of it. I hate to bother any one. Now -let me see. There was another book I wanted to -get. What was it about? I thought I would remember -it. I know I had it on my mind when I -was looking at the first volume of the new edition -of Motley’s Dutch Republic—um—er—well, I -can’t think. I’ll have to go back home and get my -list.”</p> - -<p>He took the cook book from Tom, and placing -it, with the two other volumes, under his arm, -started to walk out of the store. At once there -flashed through Tom’s mind the idea that this was -a slick swindler, who had adopted this method of -stealing books.</p> - -<p>“Wait a minute!” he called. “Shan’t I wrap -those books up for you?”</p> - -<p>He thought this would be a polite way of calling -the attention of Mr. Townsend or some clerk -to the actions of the queer customer.</p> - -<p>“What books?” asked the old gentleman innocently.</p> - -<p>“Those under your arm.”</p> - -<p>“Have I some books under my arm? Why,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span> -goodness gracious, so I have! I’m glad you called -my attention to them, young man, or I might have -walked off with them. My, my! but I am getting -to have a poor memory! To think of carrying -off books without paying for them!”</p> - -<p>“It’s a good thing I caught him in time, or Mr. -Townsend might have blamed me,” thought Tom.</p> - -<p>Just then Mr. Townsend came to the rear of -the store. He caught sight of the old gentleman.</p> - -<p>“Why, Dr. Spidderkins! How do you do?” -he exclaimed. “I am real glad to see you? What -can I show you to-day? I didn’t know you were -here, or I would have attended to you personally.”</p> - -<p>“I guess I made a mistake,” said Tom to himself.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br /> - -<small>TOM IS SUSPICIOUS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Glad</span> that he had not accused the old gentleman -of trying to steal the books, Tom moved away, -leaving his employer and Dr. Spidderkins in -earnest conversation. Tom could hear them talking -about rare editions, first folios, and books or -pamphlets that were out of print, and very -valuable.</p> - -<p>“Here, boy, wrap up this bundle,” called a -clerk.</p> - -<p>“Sure,” replied Tom good-naturedly. “Shall -I bring it back to you?”</p> - -<p>“No, mark this address on it, and put it where -the expressman will get it. It’s got to be delivered -to-day.”</p> - -<p>“The new boy is better than the other one we -had,” observed a second clerk to the one from -whom Tom had just taken an order.</p> - -<p>“He certainly is. I only hope he keeps it up.”</p> - -<p>The rest of that morning Tom found himself -busily occupied. There came a little let-up in the -rush, about noon, and the lad ventured to ask the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span> -senior clerk something about the queer old man -who was still browsing away among the books.</p> - -<p>“He is one of our best customers,” replied the -clerk. “His name is Dr. Lemuel Spidderkins.”</p> - -<p>“Does he practise medicine?”</p> - -<p>“He used to, but he is retired now, and about -all he does is to collect books. Hardly a day -passes but what he buys two or three here, or in -other book stores. He spends a lot of money that -way. You see he’s so forgetful he dare not risk -practising his profession.”</p> - -<p>“He certainly is queer,” remarked Tom, and he -told the clerk his experience with the doctor.</p> - -<p>“That’s nothing,” was the answer. “He often -comes in here, and walks off with three or four -books without paying for them. If we see him -we always politely call his attention to them. If -we don’t, it doesn’t matter, for he generally recollects -what he has done when he reaches home, and -he sends the money for them. Yes, he is very -eccentric.”</p> - -<p>“Then I did the right thing,” said Tom, “when -I offered to wrap them up for him.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. He and Mr. Townsend are great -friends. He has bought books of us for years.”</p> - -<p>“Here—er—new boy—what’s your name!” -suddenly called the book store proprietor, from -where he stood talking to Dr. Spidderkins. -“Wrap these books up.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>Tom hurried to his employer, and took several -large and heavy volumes which the old physician -had evidently selected from the shelves.</p> - -<p>“Ah, there is the young man who helped me -look up some facts about—er—well now, isn’t -that queer, I can’t remember what it was about,” -said the doctor, as he caught sight of Tom. “Was -it about how the Egyptians used to worship cats?”</p> - -<p>“It was about belladonna and fruit cake,” answered -Tom.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, so it was. Yes, he was quite a help -to me—I mean he showed me that I had the wrong -memoranda,” went on the physician. “I must get -a secretary if my memory keeps on failing me. -But I must pay you for these books, Mr. Townsend. -I’ll take them right along with me, or I’ll -forget all about them.”</p> - -<p>“Better let me send them,” suggested the proprietor -of the Emporium. “They’ll make quite a -heavy bundle.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you had better. Here is the money,” -and the doctor held out several bills.</p> - -<p>“Do you want that book you have under your -arm?” asked Mr. Townsend with a laugh, pointing -to a small volume, almost hidden by the big -sleeve of the doctor’s coat.</p> - -<p>“Have I a book there? Why, bless my soul, -so I have! I remember now, I took it down to -look up a certain fact about how the Chinese use<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> -opium to deaden pain in sickness. It is just like -a book I have, only mine is an earlier edition. I -think I will take this. You may wrap it up with -the others. Queer, how forgetful I am becoming. -Now be sure those books are up to my house to-night.”</p> - -<p>“They’ll be there,” Mr. Townsend assured the -physician, as Tom went to the counter to wrap -them up.</p> - -<p>Dr. Spidderkins took his departure, and soon -after this, Tom was told he could go out and get -some lunch. He did not eat an elaborate meal and -was soon back at his place.</p> - -<p>During the afternoon he went on a number of -errands, arranged several shelves of books, dusted -off long rows of volumes, and waited on one or -two customers.</p> - -<p>“I’m beginning to learn the book business,” -thought the lad proudly, after he had made his -third sale without an error. True they were only -small ones, involving the purchase of a pad, a -pencil, and the last one being a small book, purchased -by a girl. But they meant a lot to Tom.</p> - -<p>“It will be closing time in half an hour,” remarked -one of the younger clerks to Tom. “Do -you live far from here?”</p> - -<p>“Not very. About half an hour’s walk. But -I thought you kept open late during the holidays?”</p> - -<p>“We will, beginning next week. It will be ten<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span> -o’clock every night then, but we get supper -money.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good,” remarked Tom.</p> - -<p>“Here, what’s this!” suddenly exclaimed Mr. -Townsend, as he saw the bundle of books which -Tom had wrapped up for Dr. Spidderkins. -“Haven’t these books been called for by the expressman?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir,” replied the clerk, in charge of that -part of the work.</p> - -<p>“This will never do,” went on the proprietor. -“The doctor wants the books to-night. Call up -the express office and see if they are coming.”</p> - -<p>The clerk put the telephone into operation, and -presently reported to Mr. Townsend:</p> - -<p>“He says the man forgot to call on his afternoon -trip, and it’s too late now.”</p> - -<p>“That’s too bad!” exclaimed Mr. Townsend. -“Those books must go to Dr. Spidderkins to-night, -or he’ll be very much disappointed, and he’s too -good a customer to disappoint. Tom, you had -better jump on a car and take them to him. Do -you know your way around the Back Bay district?”</p> - -<p>The Back Bay district is the section of Boston -where are located the residences of the rich, and -it is quite exclusive.</p> - -<p>“I guess I can find the place, sir,” said Tom -confidently, though he had only been in the locality -a few times.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>“Well, here is your car fare. Be careful of the -books now, as some of them are quite expensive. -Be on hand early in the morning.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” answered Tom, as he put on his overcoat, -and with the bundle of books, which were -quite heavy, he started off.</p> - -<p>He was soon in the Back Bay district, and a -little inquiry enabled him to find the doctor’s house.</p> - -<p>“My, it’s a big place!” exclaimed Tom. “He -must have money to live in a house like that.”</p> - -<p>He went up the front steps and rang the bell. -The door was presently opened by a woman, and, -in the light that streamed out into the darkness -from the hall, Tom saw that she was about middle -age, and that her features were rather sharp and -hard. Her face was not made more attractive by -the way her hair was arranged, for it was drawn -tightly back on both sides of her head.</p> - -<p>“Well, what do you want?” she asked snappishly. -“We don’t want to buy anything, and if -you’re the boy from the grocery you’re too late -with the stuff, and you must go round to the back -door. I can’t have tradesmen coming to the front -door.”</p> - -<p>“These are some books Dr. Spidderkins purchased -to-day,” replied Tom. “I brought them, -because the expressman forgot to call.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that? Books?” asked a voice from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span> -within, that the boy recognized as the doctor’s. -“Who has books for me?”</p> - -<p>Tom caught a glimpse of the elderly gentleman. -He was in his slippers and a dressing gown, and -his arms were so full of books that he could not -have carried another one.</p> - -<p>“They are books from Mr. Townsend,” said -Tom.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. Come right in,” invited the doctor. -“I was wondering why they didn’t arrive. Come -right in with them, my boy. I want to look up -something about a certain rare plant——”</p> - -<p>“He’ll do nothing of the kind!” interrupted the -woman. “I guess I’m not going to have snow -tracked into my house! Besides, you know you -started to go to supper, and there you are puttering -over those books. Oh, Lemuel, you’re so forgetful!”</p> - -<p>“So I am! So I am,” admitted the doctor in -a queer sort of voice. “I remember now, I did -start to go to supper. I knew it was something -I ought to do. I’m glad you reminded me. I’ll -eat at once,” and, placing the books he was holding -on a chair in the hall, the old gentleman turned -back.</p> - -<p>“Leave the books here,” said the woman to -Tom. “Are there any charges?”</p> - -<p>“No; everything is paid.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” and she abruptly shut the door.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span>“Rather a cool reception,” murmured Tom. -“My, but she’s cross! I shouldn’t like to live with -her. I wonder how the doctor stands it, he’s so -quiet and studious? I wonder if she’s his wife? -No, she can’t be. The clerk said he wasn’t married. -She must be a housekeeper, or some relation. -My, but she seems to be able to make him -do just as she likes! The idea of not letting him -take his own books that he bought and paid for. -I guess he’s so easy that she has him under her -thumb.”</p> - -<p>The time came when this was demonstrated to -Tom, even more forcibly than it was on this -occasion.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br /> - -<small>BUSY DAYS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tom</span> was on hand so early at the book store the -next morning that he found the Emporium had -not yet opened. He had to stand out in the street, -until the porter came along to unlock the door.</p> - -<p>“You’re early; ain’t you?” the man asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes; I didn’t know exactly what time I had to -begin, so I thought I’d get here as soon as I could. -Where will I find a broom? I have to sweep out -the place.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll get you one. You want to sprinkle damp -sawdust on the floor, and cover up all the books -on the tables, so they won’t get dusty. Mr. Townsend -is a very particular man.”</p> - -<p>“I believe he is, but I like him—what little I -have seen of him.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’ll find he’s all right,” went on the -porter, as he opened the door, and showed Tom -where to find a broom. Then, while the man went -to the cellar to open up some cases of books that -had arrived late the previous afternoon, Tom<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span> -began his sweeping. He had just finished, and -taken the cloths off the books, when the junior -clerk arrived. In a short time all the other employes -were at their places, and presently Mr. -Townsend came in.</p> - -<p>“Ah, good-morning, Tom,” he said. “I see you -have the place in good shape for us. Did you -leave the books for Dr. Spidderkins?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, a very fine man he is, very fine indeed, -if he is a trifle eccentric. Did he say anything to -you?”</p> - -<p>“Not very much. He said something about -waiting for the books.”</p> - -<p>“I hope they were not too late.”</p> - -<p>“I went as quickly as I could with them.”</p> - -<p>“I know you did, Tom. I mean I hope I sent -you off with them in time. The doctor likes to -have things the minute they are promised, though, -often, after he has them, he forgets all about them. -Was he much put out?”</p> - -<p>“Not very. I didn’t have a chance to say much -to him, as the lady who answered the door told -the doctor it was time for his supper.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, I dare say he had forgotten all about it. -That’s his way. What did the woman say? She -is his sister-in-law, I believe, though she has married -a second time.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>Tom related as much of the conversation as he -could remember.</p> - -<p>“Hum,” mused the bookseller. “She’s a strange -woman—very strange. Well, I guess the books -got there in time. Now, Tom, I want you to go -on an errand for me.”</p> - -<p>When Tom got back from having taken some -books to a customer who was stopping at the -Parker House, he found the Emporium a busy -place. There were a number of customers present, -for the holiday rush was on, and all the clerks, -and Mr. Townsend, were engaged in showing -books, or wrapping up parcels.</p> - -<p>Seeing that Mr. Townsend was busy, Tom decided -to defer for the present reporting on the -result of his errand. He hung up his coat and -hat, and as there seemed to be nothing else for -him to do, he proceeded to tidy up a table of small -booklets, that was usually in disorder, as customers -were continually looking over the stock.</p> - -<p>While he was thus engaged he was approached -by a young man, whose clothes were of expensive -cut and material.</p> - -<p>“I beg your pardon,” he said, in a peculiar -drawling accent, “but would you kindly get me a -volume of Browning! I can’t seem to locate it -amid all the maze of books here, and all the clerks -seem to be engaged. I presume I am right in assuming -that you are employed here?”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p024.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“Browning, the ball player!” exclaimed the young man.<br /> - -<span class="illoright"><i>Page <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</i></span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span>“Oh, yes, I work here,” answered Tom, who -paid little attention to accent. “But I’ve only been -here two days, and I don’t know much about the -books yet.”</p> - -<p>“Then perhaps you can’t find for me a volume -of Browning?”</p> - -<p>“I guess I can,” said Tom confidently. “I’ll -look in my special catalogue,” and he produced -the one Mr. Townsend had arranged for him. -“Browning, the baseball player, you mean, don’t -you?” he asked, for there was an athlete of that -name, who had made quite a reputation for himself -in the New England circuit that fall.</p> - -<p>“Browning, the ball player!” exclaimed the -young man, as if horrified.</p> - -<p>“Yes, the one that played short. He’s got the -highest batting average——”</p> - -<p>“Don’t! Don’t, my dear young man; don’t I beg -of you,” spoke the customer, waving his hands. -“Baseball is such—such——”</p> - -<p>“It’s a bully game!” exclaimed Tom, enthusiastically. -“I used to be captain of a team, when I -went to school. Tim Browning——”</p> - -<p>“No, no! I mean Browning, the poet,” said the -young man hastily. “I want a volume of his -verses to send to a young lady. She is very fond -of him. So am I.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!” said Tom suddenly, much enlightened. -“I thought you meant the other Browning. I was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span> -looking for the book among the sports. I’ll turn -to poetry. Yes, here it is,” he added a moment -later, as he found it in the catalogue. “I’ll get it -for you.”</p> - -<p>He got several different styles of the poet’s work -and handed them to the young man.</p> - -<p>“Ah, that is what I want!” he exclaimed. -“Don’t you think his poetry is simply perfect?”</p> - -<p>“I—I don’t care much for poetry,” replied -Tom, who, since he worked in a book store, did -not want to confess that he had never read a line -of Browning.</p> - -<p>“Not care for poetry! Not an admirer of -Browning! You have missed much, my young -friend,” murmured the customer. “I will take this -copy,” he went on, selecting an expensive one and -handing Tom the money.</p> - -<p>“I don’t much care whether he buys poetry or -books on sport as long as I sell ’em,” thought the -lad as he wrapped up the book. “Five dollars for -a book! Whew! I work a week for that. But -I’m glad I sold it to him.”</p> - -<p>The young man went out, fondly holding the -volume of verse to his side. Tom went on arranging -the booklets, but presently he had to stop to -wait on a lady who wanted a fairy story for her -little girl. Here Tom was more at home, and he -found the lady quite ready to defer to his judgment -as to what sort of a book was best.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span>Presently a young lady appealed to Tom to find -for her a book on philosophy, and though the boy -could hardly pronounce the title of it, he managed -to locate it.</p> - -<p>All that day Tom was kept busy, and he was acquiring -more confidence in himself with every sale -he made. At the close of the day, when Mr. Townsend -looked over the slips made out by the different -clerks, he congratulated Tom on the success -he had had.</p> - -<p>“I hope he keeps me after the holidays are -over,” thought our hero. “That’s what I want, -a good, steady job, so I can earn money, and then -mother and Aunt Sallie won’t have to work so -hard.”</p> - -<p>Toward the end of that week Dr. Spidderkins -paid another visit to the Emporium. He wandered -in, and was soon examining volumes in that part -of the shop given over to rare and costly books.</p> - -<p>“Ah!” he exclaimed as Tom passed him on his -way to get some wrapping-paper. “Here is just -what I have been looking for. It is a rare old copy -of Shakespeare. When did this come in? Why, -bless my soul! If it isn’t the boy who prevented -me from carrying off books without paying for -them the other day,” he added as he recognized -Tom. “How are you, young man?”</p> - -<p>“Very well, sir.”</p> - -<p>“I must have this book,” went on the old doctor.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span> -“Let’s see—it will just match that volume of Milton -I bought the same day I got the copy of -Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. No, it wasn’t, -either. It was the day I bought Darwin’s volume -on evolution, or the day after. I declare, I can’t -remember which. But I must take this book along -with me. What’s the price?”</p> - -<p>“Ten dollars,” answered Tom, after a look at -the mystic letters on the fly-leaf.</p> - -<p>“Ah, very reasonable—very reasonable, indeed.”</p> - -<p>Tom thought it very unreasonable, for the book -was an old one, and he knew of whole shelvesful -of brand-new books at much lower prices than that. -Dr. Spidderkins, however, seemed to think he had -a bargain.</p> - -<p>“I’ll take it,” he said, putting his hand in his -pocket. Then a blank look came over his face. -“Bless my soul, I’ve lost my pocketbook!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“Lost it?” repeated Tom. “Do you think you -dropped it here?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know, I’m sure. Maybe I left it at -home. I’m so forgetful.”</p> - -<p>“We have a telephone here—you could call up -your house and ask if it’s there,” suggested Tom.</p> - -<p>“So I could. I never thought of that. But I -can’t talk very well over the wire, and my sister-in-law -can’t hear me as well as she can some persons.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span> -Suppose you call up for me? I’ll give you -the number. It’s 2256 Back Bay.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll call up for you,” said Tom. “Shall I wrap -up this book?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I’ll take it, anyhow, and send Mr. Townsend -the money. Queer I can’t remember when I -last had my pocketbook.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br /> - -<small>STRANGE ACTIONS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> experience Tom had once had, as a clerk -in a grocery store, where he took orders over the -telephone, had made him fairly expert in the use -of the instrument. He soon got the aged doctor’s -house on the wire, and was inquiring of Mrs. Barton -Sandow (which the physician gave as his sister-in-law’s -name) whether the pocketbook had been -left there.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it’s here,” answered Mrs. Sandow shortly. -“He forgot it, as usual. Tell him he left it -on the breakfast-table. Why, is he in trouble?”</p> - -<p>“No; only he wants to buy some books, and he -hasn’t the money with him,” answered Tom politely.</p> - -<p>“Well, tell him to be sure and not forget to -come home to dinner,” said Mrs. Sandow, as she -hung up the receiver with a click that snapped in -Tom’s ear.</p> - -<p>“What does she say?” asked the old doctor.</p> - -<p>“It’s there,” answered the boy. “And she wants<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span> -you to be sure not to forget to come home to dinner.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll not. I’ll start right away, and then I can’t -forget. But I must tell Mr. Townsend about this -book. I remember once I took a volume without -paying for it—let me see, it was the same day -I picked up a rare copy of Bacon’s works—and I -forgot to send the money for a week, I got so interested -reading it. I want him to send after the -money for this, in case I don’t forward it right -away.”</p> - -<p>Tom found the book-store proprietor and told -him of Dr. Spidderkins’ desires.</p> - -<p>“Tell him to take the book, and welcome,” was -the reply Mr. Townsend sent back. “He can take -all the books he wants. He is good for them.”</p> - -<p>The doctor left, after insisting that a messenger -must be sent to his house that evening for the ten -dollars, in case he did not send it sooner.</p> - -<p>“I guess you’d better stop up and see the doctor, -Tom,” said Mr. Townsend, when it came closing -time. “He hasn’t sent the money, and, while -I know he’ll pay it, he always likes to have things -done just as he requests. I don’t want to offend -him. So just take a run up there. You know -where the place is now.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir. Shall I bring back the money to-night?”</p> - -<p>“No; fetch it with you in the morning. I suppose<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span> -you know that, beginning next week, we shall -keep open quite late, on account of the Christmas -trade?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir. I don’t mind.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad you don’t. The boy who had the -place you now have left on account of that.”</p> - -<p>Tom made up his mind it would take a good -deal more than that to make him give up his job.</p> - -<p>He took a car for the Back Bay district, and -arrived at the Spidderkins mansion about seven -o’clock. His knock was answered by the woman -he now knew to be Mrs. Sandow.</p> - -<p>“Well?” she asked ungraciously.</p> - -<p>“I called to see Dr. Spidderkins.”</p> - -<p>“What about?”</p> - -<p>“I was told to collect ten dollars for some -books.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! Those everlasting books!” exclaimed -Mrs. Sandow. “My brother-in-law spends more -money on them than he does on the house. It’s -all foolishness!”</p> - -<p>She opened the door a little wider, and Tom -took this for an invitation to enter.</p> - -<p>“Are your feet clean?” she asked suspiciously.</p> - -<p>“I wiped them carefully on the mat.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe you half did. I never saw a -boy yet with clean feet. Wait here, and I’ll tell -the doctor.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, good evening, my lad,” exclaimed the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span> -aged physician, as, with his spectacles half-way -down on his nose, and holding a book in each hand, -he came out to greet Tom. “You are from the -printer’s, aren’t you? Have you the proofs of -my new book on ‘The Influence of Environment -in Nervous Diseases’?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir. I’m not from the printer’s,” said -Tom. “I came about the ten dollars, for Mr. -Townsend.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, to be sure. How stupid of me. I -wonder where my pocketbook is?”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you find it?”</p> - -<p>“Find it? Did I lose it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. Don’t you remember me telephoning -about it for you, when you were in the store?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, to be sure. Now I know who you are. -Dear, dear, I am getting to have a bad memory, -I’m afraid!”</p> - -<p>He already had it, Tom thought, but the old -gentleman was such a delightful character, that -the boy could not help liking him.</p> - -<p>“Come right into the sitting-room,” went on the -doctor. “Let me see, your name is Theopholus, -isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir, it’s Tom Baldwin.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, I recollect now. Well, Tom, just -sit down a minute, and I’ll get the money. Please -don’t disturb any of the books or papers. I’m -writing another book on how to avoid taking colds,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span> -and I’m looking up all the authorities about that -form of disease.”</p> - -<p>The table was covered with books and papers, -and Tom took a seat far enough away so that there -would be no danger of disturbing them.</p> - -<p>“Eliza, have you seen my pocketbook?” Dr. -Spidderkins called, as he left the room.</p> - -<p>“I put it right on top of your desk, where you -couldn’t help but see it,” answered Mrs. Sandow.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, of course; I remember now. I have -it in my pocket.”</p> - -<p>The doctor came back into the sitting-room. -He was followed a moment later by a tall, dark -complexioned man, whose eyes, as Tom noticed at -a glance, seemed to be continually shifting about.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Barton, are you going to sit here and -read?” asked the doctor pleasantly.</p> - -<p>“I was going to, but you’ve got your confounded -papers all over the table, so I don’t see how I can -very well,” answered the man, in surly tones.</p> - -<p>“I’ll make a place for you at once,” said the -doctor hastily, sweeping the papers to one side.</p> - -<p>“You needn’t bother,” was the man’s ungracious -remark. “I can go somewhere else. I wish you, -wouldn’t make such a muss.”</p> - -<p>“But this is about my new book.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t care what it is.”</p> - -<p>The doctor seemed to shrink away from Mr. -Barton Sandow, and Tom felt a natural resentment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span> -against a man who would speak so ungraciously -to an aged person.</p> - -<p>“Allow me to present a friend of mine to you,” -went on the physician courteously. “This is Tom -Baldwin, Mr. Sandow. Tom, or I suppose I -should say Thomas, this is my brother-in-law. -That is he is a sort of brother-in-law. His wife -was my brother’s wife, but my brother has been -dead several years, and his wife married again.”</p> - -<p>“You needn’t go into the whole family history,” -said Barton Sandow surlily. “How are you?” he -added to Tom, but his tone of voice was such that -he might as well have told the boy he did not care -whether he was well or ill.</p> - -<p>“I—I wasn’t going to,” said the doctor gently. -“I only thought—I—er—and—er—” he seemed -to forget what he was going to say.</p> - -<p>“Did you call on business?” asked Mr. Sandow -suddenly, looking at Tom. “Dr. Spidderkins evidently -has forgotten what it is about,” he added -with a sneer.</p> - -<p>“I’m from Mr. Townsend’s book store,” was -the boy’s reply.</p> - -<p>“That’s it. I knew it was something about -books,” said the doctor with an uneasy laugh. -“Thank you for reminding me. I had forgotten. -I must pay you that ten dollars.”</p> - -<p>He drew out his pocketbook, and began fumbling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span> -with it, for his eyesight was clearly not of -the best.</p> - -<p>“Ah, I thought I had a ten-dollar bill somewhere -in it,” he said, as he handed Tom an envelope. -“I sealed it up in this, and meant to send -it, but I forgot it. But there ought to be more -money in my wallet. I left fifty dollars in it this -morning, and now there are only fifteen. I wonder -what has become of the rest?”</p> - -<p>“Do you think I took it?” asked Mr. Sandow, -almost savagely.</p> - -<p>“Why—er—no—of course not,” answered the -old doctor, looking over the tops of his spectacles. -“I only thought——”</p> - -<p>“You don’t know what you thought!” exclaimed -the other quite fiercely. “First thing you know -you’ll be accusing me or my wife of stealing money -from you. ’Liza, come here!” he called.</p> - -<p>His wife stood in the door.</p> - -<p>“What is it, Barton?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“The doctor has missed some money from his -pocketbook, and he accuses us of taking it.”</p> - -<p>“No, no! Nothing of the sort!” said the -physician quickly. “I—I didn’t mean that. I—I -thought I had more money than I have. But—er—I -must——”</p> - -<p>“You spent it, and you’ve forgotten all about -it,” declared Mrs. Sandow with a hard laugh.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span> -“You’re always doing that, Lemuel. Didn’t you -pay for two tons of coal this afternoon?”</p> - -<p>“That’s so, I guess I must have, but I don’t -recollect about it. Did any coal come?”</p> - -<p>“Of course,” answered Mrs. Sandow, quickly, -and Tom, looking up suddenly, saw her making -some kind of a motion to her husband.</p> - -<p>“Then that must be where the money went,” -agreed the doctor. “I’m sorry I’m so forgetful. -It may interfere with my new book. I don’t mind -the money, but I like to know where I spend it.”</p> - -<p>“Probably you wasted it on books,” said Mr. -Sandow, half growling out the words.</p> - -<p>“No, I never waste money on books, and I only -spent ten dollars for one to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Ten dollars for a book!” gasped Mrs. Sandow. -“You’ll be in the poorhouse soon, at that -rate.”</p> - -<p>“It was a very rare volume,” pleaded her -brother-in-law. “I—I couldn’t very well let it go.”</p> - -<p>“Humph!” sniffed the woman. “You’ll wish -you had that money some day. But it’s time you -went to bed. You’re forgetting it’s past your -hour.”</p> - -<p>“Is it?” asked the doctor humbly. “I knew -there was something I ought to remember. Well, -good-night, Tom—is it Tom? Oh, yes, I remember -now. Perhaps you’ll have some more books -to deliver for me next week. I must get some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> -more authorities on colds,” and the aged gentleman -tottered off, shaking his white head, as though -vainly trying to remember something.</p> - -<p>“I guess that’s all that need detain you,” said -Mr. Sandow rather roughly to Tom. “We close -up early here.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; my business is finished,” replied the boy.</p> - -<p>As he went down the stone steps, our hero wondered -at the queer actions of Mr. and Mrs. Sandow, -for they seemed to have some strange control -over the aged doctor.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br /> - -<small>CHARLEY GROVE’S IDEA</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Hey</span>, Tom!” hailed a voice, as our hero got -off the street car, near his home. “Where are -you going?”</p> - -<p>Tom turned, to behold his chum, Charley Grove, -whom he had not seen since going to work in the -book store.</p> - -<p>“Going home,” replied Tom. “Where are you -going?”</p> - -<p>“Same place. Haven’t seen you in over a week. -Where have you been keeping yourself?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve got a new job,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>“Down in Townsend’s Book Emporium.”</p> - -<p>“What doin’? Readin’ books?”</p> - -<p>“Not much. Don’t get any time for that. -We’re busy on account of the holidays. What are -you doing?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’ve got a new job, and it’s fine.”</p> - -<p>“What at?”</p> - -<p>“I run the telephone switchboard in a broker’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span> -office. Short hours and good pay. I get ten a -week. All I got was eight in my last place.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I got, before the firm failed. Now -I only get five.”</p> - -<p>“You ought to strike for more money.”</p> - -<p>“Wouldn’t do much good. I’m only an extra -hand during the holidays. I’ll be lucky if I stay -there after the first of the year.”</p> - -<p>“That’s too bad. You ought to learn to be a -telephone boy. I know two or three who make -more money than I do.”</p> - -<p>“Is it hard to learn?”</p> - -<p>“Well, it isn’t so very easy, and if you’re in a -busy office like mine it keeps you on the jump. -It’s no fun to have all three members of the firm -trying to get connections at once, and half a dozen -parties on the outside wanting to talk to the partners -to give orders to sell or buy stocks. I couldn’t -do it at first, and I got all mixed up, but I can -work it all right now.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to have a place like that,” said Tom. -“I used to take orders over the telephone in the -grocery store.”</p> - -<p>“Bein’ on a private exchange is a heap different -from that,” said Charley, as he walked along -beside Tom.</p> - -<p>“Do you think there’s a place in your office for -another boy?” asked Tom, rather wistfully, as he -thought of the good salary his chum was getting.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>“I don’t believe so. But I’ll keep my ears open, -and if I hear of anything in that line, I’ll let you -know.”</p> - -<p>“I wish you would. I’ll have to look for something -after Christmas, and I’m afraid I’ll have a -hard task finding anything.”</p> - -<p>“Where were you when I saw you getting off -the car?” asked Charley.</p> - -<p>“I’d been over in the Back Bay section, to collect -some money from a Dr. Spidderkins.”</p> - -<p>“Dr. Spidderkins! Why he used to be our doctor,” -said Charley. “He’s too old to practice now, -but I remember my mother saying she had him -for me, when I was a baby.”</p> - -<p>“He’s rather a queer character,” commented -Tom. “He’s always forgetting things.”</p> - -<p>“I wish I had his rocks! He’s got slathers of -money.”</p> - -<p>“He doesn’t look rich. His clothes aren’t very -good, but maybe that’s because he spends so much -on books.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, he’s got lots to spend,” said the other boy. -“I heard my dad say Dr. Spidderkins was worth -close to half a million. But I guess he doesn’t have -much fun out of it.”</p> - -<p>“Why?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he’s always studying some queer subject -or other, or writing books or papers for the scientific<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span> -magazines. And then I guess his sister-in-law -doesn’t treat him any too good.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you’re right there,” agreed Tom. -“She seems to make fun of him, because he’s so -forgetful.”</p> - -<p>“From what I hear, though,” went on Charley, -“his short memory just suits Mr. Sandow—that’s -his sister-in-law’s second husband.”</p> - -<p>“Suits him? How do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ve got an idea,” went on Tom’s chum, -“that Sandow would like to get control of part of -Dr. Spidderkins’ money. He’s got slathers of it, -as I said, and I don’t believe he knows where it all -is. He’s as careless about cash as he is about other -things, dad says. Forgets what he does with his -rocks.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know Sandow would like to get -hold of it,” asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“Well, Sandow does some business through our -firm. Not much, though. He’s a ‘piker.’”</p> - -<p>“What’s a ‘piker’?”</p> - -<p>“That’s what we call a chap that buys a few -shares of stock at a time. Small business, you -know. Well, Sandow does a little business with -us, and I heard him telephoning to our junior -partner one day, giving an order for a few shares. -Mr. Fletcher, that’s the junior partner, asked him -why he didn’t buy more, and I heard Sandow say -he couldn’t, as he didn’t have the money. Then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span> -I heard him laugh, sort of queer-like, and he said -he might have more soon. Mr. Fletcher asked -him where he was going to get it, and Sandow -said he expected to get it from a friend of the -family. Mr. Fletcher asked him if he meant Dr. -Spidderkins, and Sandow only laughed. That’s -all I heard.”</p> - -<p>“Can you hear what both people say over the -wire?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, when you cut in on the switchboard. I -have to keep listening, to tell when they’re finished, -’cause there’s most always somebody waitin’ for -our wire.”</p> - -<p>“So you think Sandow is trying to get part of -the old doctor’s money?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“That’s my idea,” replied Charley. “I guess -it wouldn’t be so hard, either, for the doctor’s so -forgetful he might have a hundred or five hundred -dollars one minute, and not find it the next, -and he wouldn’t know what become of it.”</p> - -<p>There came at once to Tom’s mind the scene -he had witnessed that evening in the doctor’s home—the -confusion about the money, and the puzzled -air of the physician—when he could not find it in -his wallet.</p> - -<p>“Well, this is my street,” announced Charley, -as he paused on a corner. “Come on over some -night and see a fellow.”</p> - -<p>“I will, only I can’t until after the holidays.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> -We’re going to keep open evenings beginning next -week.”</p> - -<p>“That’s tough. You ought to be a telephone -boy, and get done at three o’clock. I went to a -moving picture show this afternoon.”</p> - -<p>“I wish I could go. But let me know if you -hear of a chance for me, Charley.”</p> - -<p>“I will, Tom. Hope you keep your job.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know as I want to, since I’ve heard -about yours,” replied Tom with a laugh. “Good-night.”</p> - -<p>Tom hurried on to his home. As he reached -the steps, and felt for the key of the door, he -gave a sudden start. The envelope containing the -ten dollars which Dr. Spidderkins had given him, -and which he had put in his pocket, was gone!</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br /> - -<small>OUT OF WORK</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thinking</span> he might not have looked in the -right pocket, Tom made a hasty search through -all the others.</p> - -<p>“No use,” he said dolefully, “it’s gone! I must -have dropped it after I left the house. What’s to -be done?”</p> - -<p>The situation was serious for the lad. He -wished he had been more careful, but he had been -so engaged in thinking of the queer actions of Mr. -and Mrs. Sandow, and in talking to Charley Grove, -that he had given little thought to the money.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Townsend will think I have stolen it, when -I go to him in the morning, and say I’ve lost it,” -murmured Tom. “I wish I had been more particular. -Maybe there was a hole in my pocket.”</p> - -<p>He looked, but there was none, for Mrs. Baldwin -attended carefully to her son’s clothes.</p> - -<p>“This is certainly a pickle!” exclaimed the boy -to himself softly. “I wonder what I’d better do? -Maybe if I go back the way I came I’ll find the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span> -envelope lying in the street. It was a good-sized, -white one, and I can easily see it.”</p> - -<p>“But maybe I dropped it in the car,” he added. -“No, I don’t believe I could have done that, or -some of the passengers or the conductor would -have seen it on the floor, and told me about it. I -must have lost it either before I got on the car, or -afterward. I’ll walk back to where I met Charley, -and see if it’s there.”</p> - -<p>It was nearly eleven o’clock now, and as Tom -looked up at the silent little house, where his -mother and aunt were doubtless sleeping, he wondered -if he had better go in and tell his parent -about the loss, and inform her that he was going -to look for the money.</p> - -<p>“No, I’ll not do that,” he decided. “She’ll -only worry about it, and she has troubles enough. -I’ll hurry as much as I can, and get back as soon as -possible. Still, if I’m not in by midnight she may -worry too. But then I told her I was likely to be -late any night now, for I might have to deliver -books in the suburbs. I guess she won’t worry if -I don’t go in right away.”</p> - -<p>Deciding that this was the best plan, Tom -descended the steps of his home, and hurried back -over the route he had taken from the car. How -eagerly he scanned the pavement, looking for that -white, square envelope! Every scrap of paper he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span> -saw made his heart flutter, until he came close to -it, and saw that it was not what he sought.</p> - -<p>“Well, here’s where I took the car,” he said, -as he reached the corner where he had alighted. -“Either I didn’t drop it along this way, or if I did, -some one has picked it up. Now for the second -part of my search.”</p> - -<p>He waited for a car to come along, to take him -back to Dr. Spidderkins’ house, and it was a cold, -lonesome wait for Tom, who felt quite miserable -over what had happened. To his delight he saw -on the car the same conductor with whom he had -ridden about an hour before. The man was on -the return trip.</p> - -<p>“Did you find an envelope in the car, after I -left?” asked Tom eagerly, as he got aboard, and -told the circumstances.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t find anything but an old lunch box, -and there was nothing in it,” said the conductor.</p> - -<p>“Then I must have dropped it before I got on -the car,” decided Tom.</p> - -<p>Arriving at the place where he had first boarded -the electric vehicle, he alighted and hurried over -the ground toward the house of the eccentric doctor. -No sign of a white envelope greeted his -anxious eyes.</p> - -<p>“I’m going to ask if it’s in the house,” the boy -said to himself, as he stood in front of the big, -dark mansion. “I might have let it slip when I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span> -thought I put it in my pocket, and perhaps they -picked it up on the floor. Though if Mr. and Mrs. -Sandow did, they’re likely to keep it, if what -Charley Grove says is true.”</p> - -<p>Tom rang the bell. It seemed like a quarter of -an hour before some one opened a window over his -head and called:</p> - -<p>“Well, what’s the matter? Is it a telegram?”</p> - -<p>“I’m from Townsend’s book store,” replied -Tom. “I came——”</p> - -<p>“What! More books!” exclaimed a voice Tom -recognized as Mrs. Sandow’s. “You can’t leave -’em here to-night. Everybody’s to bed long ago. -You’ll have to come back in the morning.”</p> - -<p>“I haven’t got any books,” said Tom. “I -dropped the envelope with the ten-dollar bill the -doctor gave me, and I thought maybe it might be -in the house. Would you mind looking?”</p> - -<p>“That’s a likely story!” sneered Mr. Sandow, -joining his wife at the window. “You probably -stole that money, and now you want us to help you -lie about it. Clear out of here!”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t steal the money!” exclaimed Tom. “I -lost it! Will you please look down in the sitting-room, -or have Dr. Spidderkins do so?”</p> - -<p>“The doctor’s asleep, and I’m not going to disturb -him,” declared Mrs. Sandow.</p> - -<p>“I guess not!” added her husband. “Now clear -out of here, and don’t disturb us any more. You’re<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span> -a nuisance, with your books and things! I’ll put a -stop to this buying of trash!”</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter? What is it? Is it a -burglar after my rare books?” inquired Dr. Spidderkins, -coming suddenly to the window, behind -Mr. and Mrs. Sandow. He leaned out, and Tom -could see, in the light of an electric arc lamp in -front of the house, that the doctor was dressed, -and had on his spectacles, as if he had been sitting -up reading.</p> - -<p>“Go back to bed!” called the woman.</p> - -<p>“I haven’t been to bed. I must have forgotten -to go,” answered the doctor. “I was reading an -account of how the Romans invaded England. It’s -in a very rare first edition of——”</p> - -<p>The rest of the sentence was cut off, as Mr. -Sandow slammed the window down.</p> - -<p>“They don’t want him to speak to me,” thought -Tom. “I wonder what’s the matter with that -couple? They seem to want the doctor to do just -as they say.”</p> - -<p>An instant later the window was raised again, -and the aged physician looked out.</p> - -<p>“Did you say some one was stealing my books?” -he asked. “Are you a policeman? I’m much -obliged to you. I hope the fellow didn’t get my -first folio Shakespeare.”</p> - -<p>“No, I’m not a policeman! No books have been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span> -stolen!” cried Tom. “I’m from Townsend’s book -store.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. You’re Theopholus—no—I remember -now; you’re Tom Baldwin. Wait; I’ll be right -down. Have you some more books for me?”</p> - -<p>Before the boy could answer, the window was -shut again, but in less than a minute the front -door opened, and Dr. Spidderkins, holding a candle -in his hand, for he liked that old-fashioned method -of going about the house after dark, was inviting -Tom to enter. The story of the mishap was soon -told.</p> - -<p>“I thought maybe I might have dropped the -envelope here,” the boy finished.</p> - -<p>“Wait a minute!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins, -as he reached for his pocketbook. He searched -hurriedly through it. Then he uttered an exclamation. -“There! It’s all my fault. I knew I’d -forget about it!”</p> - -<p>“What?” asked Tom hopefully.</p> - -<p>“Why, I gave you the wrong thing! There -wasn’t any ten-dollar bill in that envelope!”</p> - -<p>“There wasn’t?” and Tom’s heart grew light -again.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p050.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="caption">“Why, I gave you the wrong thing!” said Dr. Spidderkins.<br /> - -<span class="illoright"><i>Page <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</i></span></p> - -<p>“No. That envelope contained a list of books -I wanted Mr. Townsend to get for me. I meant -to send it back to him by whoever called for the -ten dollars. I put the envelope in the compartment -with the bill, so I would remember about it.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span> -Then my memory played me a trick, and I gave -you the envelope with the list, and not the bill. -So you haven’t lost much of anything, after all. -I can easily make out another list, and here is the -ten-dollar bill. Queer how that happened.”</p> - -<p>“I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t give me -the money,” said Tom with a smile, “for I would -have lost it. But I’ll be careful this time.”</p> - -<p>He placed the bill in an inner pocket, and then, -bidding the doctor good-night, Tom once more -started for home. This time he reached it in -safety, and he put the bill under his pillow when -he went to bed. He said nothing about the little -adventure to his mother or aunt, merely stating -that he had been out late because of some business -for his employer. Nor did he mention the happening -to Mr. Townsend.</p> - -<p>The work at the book store became more exacting -as Christmas approached, and as customers increased, -Tom was kept busy from morning to -night. He had to run on many errands, and he -learned more of Boston than he had ever known -before.</p> - -<p>He made many sales in the store, and several -times he waited on Dr. Spidderkins, but the physician -made no reference to Tom’s midnight visit. -Probably he forgot all about it ten minutes after -it occurred.</p> - -<p>Christmas eve Tom was up until after midnight,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span> -delivering books to late customers, and when he -got back to the store about one o’clock in the morning, -he found Mr. Townsend about to close up.</p> - -<p>“Tom,” said his employer, “you’ve done very -good work for me, and I assure you I appreciate -it. We don’t open to-morrow, and here’s a little -remembrance for the Christmas season.”</p> - -<p>He handed our hero a book of adventures that -Tom had long desired to possess.</p> - -<p>“I am sorry,” went on Mr. Townsend, “that I -won’t be able to keep you after this week. You -know I engaged you for the holiday rush, and -that’s over now, so I won’t need so many clerks. I -am sorry to have to let you go, as you suited me -very well.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry, too,” said Tom frankly, “but, of -course, I understood when you hired me that it -was for the holiday season. I only hoped you -could keep me.”</p> - -<p>“So did I, but I find I can not. Your week will -not be up until Saturday, but as there will be little -to do, you need not come in that day, nor Friday, -though I will pay you for a full week. Here is -the money. Now if you want a reference, to get -another position, call on me. I will be glad to -speak a good word for you.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, Mr. Townsend.”</p> - -<p>“I think you can get work, somewhere,” went<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span> -on the bookseller. “I wish I could keep you, but -I can’t. Times are too dull. Good-night, Tom.”</p> - -<p>Tom went home with a heavy heart, in spite of -the fact that it was Christmas morning, and that a -book had been presented to him. He was out of -work, and he did not know where to look for a -situation.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br /> - -<small>LOOKING FOR A SITUATION</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Merry Christmas</span>!” called Mrs. Baldwin, as -she knocked on Tom’s door that morning. “Merry -Christmas, Tom!”</p> - -<p>“Merry Christmas, mother!” he answered. He -hurriedly dressed, trying to keep up a cheerful -spirit, but it was hard work. He went downstairs, -and handed to his mother and aunt each a pretty -little booklet, which he had purchased at the -Emporium at reduced prices.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Tom!” exclaimed his mother, “why didn’t -you save your money? I haven’t been able to get -anything for you except some new socks. You -needed them very much.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed I did, mother, and I couldn’t have anything -better,” answered the boy, giving his mother -a hug and a kiss.</p> - -<p>“Here is a pair of woolen gloves I knitted for -you,” put in his aunt. “I’m sure they’re not as nice -as this Christmas book.”</p> - -<p>“They’re a good deal more useful,” replied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> -Tom. “Why, this is a pretty good Christmas, -after all, even if I have lost my job,” he said, deciding -this was a good time to break the unpleasant -news.</p> - -<p>“Lost your job, Tom!” exclaimed Mrs. Baldwin.</p> - -<p>“Mercy sakes! Lost—your—job!” added his -aunt.</p> - -<p>“Well, I sort of expected it,” the youth answered -ruefully, and he told how it had come -about.</p> - -<p>“I rather hoped he might keep you on after -the holidays,” remarked Mrs. Baldwin.</p> - -<p>“So did I,” said her son, “but, never mind, I’ll -get a place somewhere. Things are sure to be -lively after the first of the year, and that’s only a -week off.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, we’ll manage to get along, somehow,” declared -Mrs. Baldwin slowly. She did not want -Tom to know how little money she had, nor what -a little sewing there was in prospect for her and -her sister.</p> - -<p>But in spite of these drawbacks it was quite a -merry little Christmas for Tom and his relatives, -even though they had beef instead of turkey, and -no dessert at all.</p> - -<p>Tom started off, early the next morning, to look -for work, but he found the Christmas spirit rather -a detriment than otherwise, for many places took<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span> -advantage of the holidays and paid little attention -to business. The lad tramped the streets in vain, -and came home that night, tired and discouraged.</p> - -<p>He awoke in the morning to find a foot of snow -on the ground, and more coming down.</p> - -<p>“Here’s my work all cut out for me,” he said -gleefully. “Mother’s socks and Aunt Sallie’s -gloves will just come in handy to-day. I’ll turn -snow-shoveler.”</p> - -<p>After he had cleaned the sidewalk in front of -his own house, he shouldered the shovel and -broom, and joined the army of men and boys that -had begun to gather to clear away the frozen crystals -that were still lazily floating down.</p> - -<p>Whether the Christmas spirit induced householders -to be more liberal than usual, or whether -Tom worked extra hard he did not stop to consider, -but the fact was he earned three dollars that -day.</p> - -<p>“This is better than working in a book store,” -he said gleefully, as he gave his mother a handful -of change that night. “I’d like this regular, I -would.”</p> - -<p>“But being in a book store is so educational and -refining, Tom,” remarked his aunt.</p> - -<p>“Shoveling snow buys more bread and butter,” -answered the matter-of-fact boy with a laugh.</p> - -<p>He resumed his search for work the next day, -as there was no more snow to shovel, but everywhere<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span> -he applied he met with the reply that there -was nothing for him to do. All business seemed -to have taken a sudden drop after Christmas.</p> - -<p>“It will be better after New Year’s,” decided -Tom. “I’ll sure get a job then.”</p> - -<p>Anxiously he waited for January the second. -He started off early that morning, taking some -lunch with him, as he found he could get scarcely -anything to eat in a restaurant for the money he -could afford to pay. He bought a paper, and -turned to the column “Help Wanted.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s see what firm offers boys the highest -wages,” he said. “That’s what I’m looking for.”</p> - -<p>He saw several advertisements that seemed to -offer a good chance, but Tom was at this disadvantage—he -had to walk to the places, for he could -not afford car fare. In this way he arrived too -late in a number of cases, the positions having been -filled just before he presented himself.</p> - -<p>“I must pick out the places that are nearest by,” -he decided, and he went over the list again. He -selected an advertisement of a firm on Tremont -Street, that wanted a boy to assist in packing. -Tom found it was a big crockery store.</p> - -<p>“Have you had any experience in packing?” -asked the manager, to whom, after inquiring of -several clerks, he was referred.</p> - -<p>“We moved once, and I helped them,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span> -Tom, wondering what sort of packing was done in -the place.</p> - -<p>“No, I’m afraid that would hardly do,” was -the answer. “We want a boy who has had experience -in packing dishes.”</p> - -<p>“I think I could learn,” spoke the boy eagerly.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid we couldn’t risk it. Our dishes are -very valuable, and if a boy broke one or two it -would amount to more than his wages. We require -experienced help.”</p> - -<p>“Couldn’t I learn by beginning to pack heavy -dishes, that wouldn’t break so easily, if I happened -to drop one?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“No, I’m afraid not.”</p> - -<p>Tom wondered how a boy was ever going to get -experience packing fine dishes, if he never had any -practice on heavy ones, but he did not think it -would do any good to ask the manager, so he left.</p> - -<p>At the next place a boy was wanted to run -errands, but as the wages were only two dollars -a week, Tom knew he could not afford to take it, -for he would hardly make his expenses. Then he -saw an advertisement of a boy wanted in a machine -shop.</p> - -<p>“That might do,” he mused. “I’m fond of machinery, -and I often used to go to the shop where -father worked.”</p> - -<p>“We want a boy to learn the trade,” said the -foreman of the shop where Tom applied, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span> -where the machinery made so much noise that -every one had to shout to be heard. “It’s a good -trade, and you can earn good wages at it.”</p> - -<p>“How much do you pay?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“Pay? We don’t pay anything the first year,” -answered the foreman, in apparent surprise at the -question. “I thought you wanted to learn the -trade.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to,” said Tom, “but I want to live -while I’m learning it. A trade wouldn’t do me -much good if I starved to death, and I’d do that -if I didn’t get some money.”</p> - -<p>“I guess you won’t suit,” was the comment, as -the foreman turned back to the lathe which he had -stopped while he talked to Tom.</p> - -<p>“No, I guess not,” was our hero’s comment.</p> - -<p>He had exhausted the possibilities of the advertising -list, so he strolled around in the streets -where there were many office buildings, hoping he -might see some boys he knew, who could tell him -where he might apply for work, or where he might -see that magical sign “Boy Wanted” hanging in -front of a store or office.</p> - -<p>He did see two signs, but the places were meant -for smaller lads than Tom—boys who had parents -to support them—and who would be content with -two or three dollars a week.</p> - -<p>“I guess this is going to be a poor year for -boys,” thought Tom, as he went over to a little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span> -park, where, sitting on a bench, he ate his lunch. -He spent five cents for a cup of coffee and a bun -at a street stand, and felt somewhat better after -it, for the day was cold.</p> - -<p>“There’s a big building,” mused the boy, as he -looked at one just across from the little park. -“There must be a couple of hundred offices in it. -Now they need boys in an office, and out of the -two hundred there ought to be a place for me. -I’m going to ask in every office in that building.”</p> - -<p>Tom did not know how much of a task he had -set for himself, but he started bravely in, beginning -on the ground floor, and working his way -up.</p> - -<p>In some places he was politely told that there -was no opening for him. In others he was gruffly -given the same information, though, by this time, -he was getting hardened to rebuffs.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ve asked in twenty-five places,” he -mused. “Here goes for the twenty-sixth.”</p> - -<p>He entered an office marked “Real Estate and -Insurance.” A rather pretty girl was pounding -away at a typewriter.</p> - -<p>“Do you want a boy?” asked Tom, smiling, in -spite of his weariness.</p> - -<p>“Do I want a boy?” she asked wonderingly. -“Why, no. Are you a messenger boy? I didn’t -ring for any.”</p> - -<p>“I’m looking for work,” explained Tom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>“Oh, I see,” she answered kindly. “I don’t -know. I’ll ask——”</p> - -<p>At that moment a man came from an inner -office. Tom started at the sight of him, for he -was Barton Sandow, the brother-in-law of Dr. -Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“Well,” fairly growled Mr. Sandow, “what do -you want here? I don’t want any books, even if -Dr. Spidderkins does waste his money on them.”</p> - -<p>“I haven’t any books,” replied Tom. “I called -to see if you wanted a boy. I’m looking for -work.”</p> - -<p>The lad’s answer seemed to enrage the man. -He started toward our hero, his face flaming red -with passion.</p> - -<p>“Who told you to come here?” he cried.</p> - -<p>“No one; I just happened to come. I’m inquiring -in all the offices in the building.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you clear out of here, you young gutter-pup!” -fairly shouted Barton Sandow. “I don’t -want a boy, and if I did I shouldn’t hire you! Get -out of here! Do you understand! Clear out, and -don’t you dare come in again!”</p> - -<p>The pretty typewriter girl shrank back afrightened, -and Tom, not knowing what to make of the -outburst, opened the door and went out.</p> - -<p>“There’s something wrong with Mr. Sandow,” -he said, for the needlessly cruel words rankled in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span> -his mind. “There was no occasion for him to -speak like that. I pity Dr. Spidderkins, living with -that man. There’s something queer about it. I -wonder what it is?”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br /> - -<small>DR. SPIDDERKINS’ POCKETBOOK</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tom</span> tried to keep up a cheerful spirit when he -went home that night, tired and discouraged with -his fruitless search for work.</p> - -<p>“No luck, Tom?” asked his mother, who, in -spite of his efforts at concealment, could almost -read his thoughts.</p> - -<p>“No, but I’ll find a place to-morrow, mother. -Is there any work I can take home for you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; here is a skirt I have just finished for -Mrs. Wellderly, the minister’s wife. She is -usually good pay, and I have written her a little -note, asking to please send the money by you.”</p> - -<p>“I wish I was earning money for you, mother.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind, Tom. I have had an unusual lot -of sewing to do lately, and we are making out -fairly well. Now here is the skirt. Carry it carefully.”</p> - -<p>She handed the bundle to Tom, who grasped it -as if it was a package of books, placing it under -one arm.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>“Mercy! Goodness sakes alike! Don’t do -that!” cried his aunt.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Tom innocently. -“Am I spilling any of the fol-de-rols?”</p> - -<p>“No; but you’ll crush the ruffle all out of -shape!” explained his mother. “Hold it this way, -Tom,” and she showed him how he ought to carry -the parcel.</p> - -<p>Tom safely delivered his mother’s work, and -received the money from the minister’s wife.</p> - -<p>“Tell your mother to call and see me,” the lady -said to the boy. “A friend of mine wants some -fine sewing done, and I think she would like Mrs. -Baldwin’s work.”</p> - -<p>“I will,” promised Tom.</p> - -<p>Refreshed by a good night’s sleep, though he -was awake a little longer than usual, wondering -what the day would bring forth, Tom arose early -the next morning, determined to leave no chance -untried to get a place to work. He looked over -the advertisements in the paper, and picked out -several.</p> - -<p>He found, to his regret, however, that in most -of the places where boys or young men were -wanted, that experience in some line of industry -was necessary. This was particularly true of the -shops and stores. In the offices this was not quite -so requisite, but office positions were very scarce.</p> - -<p>“I think I’ll try some of the book stores,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span> -thought Tom, when noon came, and he had had -no success. “I had a little experience there, and -it ought to be worth something. Any way,” he -added, as he smiled at the recollection, “I know -there are two Brownings, a poet and a baseball -player.”</p> - -<p>He turned into Milk Street, where was located -Townsend’s Emporium, but he knew it was no use -to apply there. He recalled that there was a -second-hand book store, further down the street, -and he decided to try his luck there.</p> - -<p>It was quite a different place from the neatly-kept -shop where he had formerly worked, and -there was a curious, musty smell about it, many -old volumes being ranged about on the shelves.</p> - -<p>“Do you want a boy?” asked Tom, of the -proprietor.</p> - -<p>“Why? Did you see a sign out in front?” inquired -the man.</p> - -<p>“A sign? No. Why?”</p> - -<p>“Well, sometimes the boys of the neighborhood -hang a sign out in front to annoy me. They know -I never hire a boy. They do it for a joke, and -several lads, in need of work, have been fooled -by it.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think that’s a very good joke,” remarked -Tom.</p> - -<p>“Neither do I,” agreed the proprietor. “No, -I don’t want a boy, but I’m glad there’s no foolish<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span> -sign out in front. How did you come to ask in -here?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I used to be in Townsend’s store, and -as I need work, and every place seems to be one -where experience is needed, I thought I’d try a -book store.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry,” went on the man more kindly. “I -can’t afford to keep a helper. There’s very little -profit in second-hand books, and to hire a boy -would eat it all up. I need a boy quite often to -deliver books, but I can’t afford to hire one -regularly.”</p> - -<p>“How often do you need one?”</p> - -<p>“Well, about once a day. In fact I wish I had -one now to take some books to a man who lives -three miles from here. I’ll give you fifty cents -and your car fare if you’ll deliver them.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it,” said Tom, glad of the chance to -earn a half dollar.</p> - -<p>“Wait a minute, and I’ll wrap them up.”</p> - -<p>Tom was soon ready to start, carrying quite a -heavy bundle of books. As he passed out of the -store, in front of which were two big tables, with -bargains in second-hand books on them, he saw a -familiar figure reading a tattered volume.</p> - -<p>“How do you do, Dr. Spidderkins!” greeted -Tom, as he recognized the aged physician.</p> - -<p>“Eh? What’s that? Oh, it’s—I’ve forgotten—no—I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span> -remember now, you’re William Henderson, -aren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir; I’m Thomas Baldwin.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. You’re in the Emporium. I remember -now. My memory must be coming back.”</p> - -<p>“I used to be there,” replied Tom, “but there -was no work for me after the holidays. I’m doing -odd jobs. Just now I’m carrying books for the -man who owns this place.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, that’s a fine job, carrying books,” commented -the old gentleman. “You are diffusing -knowledge, my young friend. A very noble calling. -Now I can only read books, I can’t carry them -about any more. I am reading a very fine book -now. It seems to be quite rare. It tells how the -ancient Greeks had the primitive idea of raising -chickens by means of hot water pipes—something -on the order of our modern incubators. It’s a -very valuable book. I don’t recollect when I have -found one more valuable, of its kind. Yes, once; -the same day I discovered a copy of Milton’s -Paradise Lost, in an old book store, I came across -one worth almost as much as this. That was—um—er—dear -me—I’m afraid I can’t recall what it -was. But I’ll recollect it shortly. I must purchase -this book before I forget it.”</p> - -<p>Tom watched the old gentleman start into the -store, reading on the way the book in which he -was so interested. Then Tom saw something else.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span> -Dr. Spidderkins’ pocketbook—an old-fashioned -wallet—was half-way out of his pocket, and likely -to drop to the sidewalk.</p> - -<p>Our hero sprang forward to reach the wallet -before it should fall. He grasped it, and was pulling -it from the doctor’s pocket, intending to restore -it to him, when he was startled to hear a -voice exclaim:</p> - -<p>“Ah! You young rascal, I caught you in the -very act!”</p> - -<p>Tom turned, with the pocketbook in his hand, -to behold Barton Sandow confronting him.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” asked the boy.</p> - -<p>“What do I mean? You’ll soon see what I -mean? Trying to steal the doctor’s wallet, eh? -I’ll have you arrested!”</p> - -<p>“I wasn’t trying to steal it!” declared Tom, indignantly. -“It was falling out of his pocket, and -I caught it to give it back to him.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a likely story! You’re a thief; that’s -what you are!”</p> - -<p>“What’s that? What’s the matter?” asked the -aged physician, suddenly turning, as he became -aware that something unusual had happened.</p> - -<p>“This boy from the book store has just stolen -your pocketbook!” said Mr. Sandow. “He’s got -it in his hand now.”</p> - -<p>“My pocketbook! Bless my soul! So it is; -and I have a hundred dollars in it!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span>“I didn’t steal it!” cried Tom again. “It was -dropping out, and I caught it!”</p> - -<p>“Hold him, doctor, until I get an officer!” -called Mr. Sandow, as he looked down the street, -and saw a policeman approaching. “We’ll soon -have him behind the bars!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br /> - -<small>TOM LEARNS SOMETHING</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Poor</span> Tom was much distressed. What he -meant to be an act calculated to benefit the old -doctor, was likely to turn to his disadvantage, for -he could not but admit that appearances were -against him. It did look, to a casual observer, -as though he had taken the pocketbook and was -about to run away with it.</p> - -<p>“This boy a thief?” exclaimed Dr. Lemuel Spidderkins -as he looked at Tom. “I don’t believe it! -He’s the boy who brought me the books. He’s -an honest lad if ever I saw one.”</p> - -<p>“Well, your eyesight isn’t very good,” remarked -Mr. Sandow sneeringly. “I saw him steal the -pocketbook.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s my pocketbook you’re talking about, -is it?” asked the doctor.</p> - -<p>“Certainly. What did you think we were speaking -about?” asked his brother-in-law.</p> - -<p>“Why, I thought you meant one of these books. -Bless my soul, that is my pocketbook. I forgot<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span> -about it for the moment, I was thinking so much -about this book.”</p> - -<p>Tom did not know what to make of the aged -man. Certainly his memory was very short, for -in one breath he talked of his wallet, and the next -he forgot he had mentioned it.</p> - -<p>“Better look and see if he took any of the -money out,” suggested Mr. Sandow. “The policeman -will be here in a minute.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t take any money!” insisted Tom.</p> - -<p>The aged physician opened the wallet and examined -it.</p> - -<p>“Well, if this isn’t a queer thing!” he exclaimed. -“I meant to put a hundred dollars in it this morning, -to buy a rare copy of Gibbon’s Rome, but I -forgot it. I haven’t a cent with me. You’ll have -to lend me some, Barton.”</p> - -<p>“Are you sure you didn’t give the hundred dollars -away?” remarked Mr. Spidderkins’ relative -with a sneer.</p> - -<p>“No; I’m sure I left it home. I put it in back -of the first edition of Bacon’s Essays. I remember -now. My pocketbook hasn’t a cent in it, so -if any one had taken it, he wouldn’t have stolen -anything.”</p> - -<p>Tom looked relieved. Still, he wanted to be -cleared of the least suspicion, and he did not know -how this was going to be brought about. Unexpectedly, -however, matters turned out right.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span>Quite a crowd had collected by this time, and -a policeman was edging his way through it.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” asked several. “Anybody -killed?” was another inquiry.</p> - -<p>“This boy tried to steal Dr. Spidderkins’ pocketbook,” -declared Mr. Sandow.</p> - -<p>“I did not!” indignantly denied Tom, and he -explained what had really happened.</p> - -<p>“I believe the boy’s right,” declared a middle-aged -man in the throng.</p> - -<p>“What do you know about it?” asked Mr. Sandow -roughly.</p> - -<p>“I was walking right behind this old gentleman,” -was the reply, and the man indicated the -physician. “I saw his pocketbook partly out of -his pocket, and I was just going to tell him to look -out for it, when he turned into the book store. -Then I thought if it fell out he would hear it drop, -and pick it up, and I passed on. When I saw the -crowd collecting I turned back.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, I told you this boy was not a thief!” exclaimed -Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“You don’t know whether he is or not,” muttered -Barton Sandow.</p> - -<p>“Do you want to make a charge?” asked the -policeman, turning to the aged physician.</p> - -<p>“Indeed I do not, officer. I know this boy to -be honest. He used to bring me books from Mr.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span> -Townsend’s store, and I am a good judge of -character.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” agreed the bluecoat. “You’re the -person most interested, and you ought to know -what you want to do. Now then, move on, you -people,” he said to the crowd which was growing -larger. “It’s all over. No arrest is going to -be made.”</p> - -<p>“I’m much obliged to you, sir,” said Tom to -the man who had testified in his favor. “And to -you, Dr. Spidderkins, for believing in me.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, that’s all right,” answered the middle-aged -man. “I’m glad I could do you a good turn.”</p> - -<p>The crowd began to disperse, and Mr. Sandow, -with a spiteful look at Tom, hurried off up the -street.</p> - -<p>“He acts as though he had a grudge against -me,” thought Tom. “I wonder why?”</p> - -<p>“There!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins, “my -brother-in-law has gone off, without giving me a -cent of money, and I want to buy this book. What -shall I do? Oh, my memory is getting something -very bad! I shall have to get a secretary.”</p> - -<p>“I’d lend the money to you, only I haven’t any,” -said Tom. “I’m to get fifty cents for delivering -this bundle, but I won’t have that until I return.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll take the will for the deed,” replied the old -doctor, with a twinkle in his eyes. “Perhaps the -bookseller will trust me, or hold the book for me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span>The proprietor of the store, who had been in -the rear, and had not noticed the commotion in -front of his place, now came out as he saw a possible -customer. He at once recognized Dr. Spidderkins, -who was a well-known character in the -book stores of the entire city. The man at once -agreed to let the physician take the book home, -and pay for it when he liked. He even loaned -him some money for car fare, since the first five -cents he had paid a conductor, on leaving home, -had been all the cash available.</p> - -<p>Now that everything was satisfactorily adjusted -Tom hurried off with the books. He delivered -them safely, received his money, and arranged to -call the following day, to see if there were any -errands he might do. As he was starting toward -home, for it was so late that he did not believe it -worth while to look any farther for work that day, -he was hailed by Charley Grove.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Tom,” called his chum. “I thought you -were comin’ over and see a fellow.”</p> - -<p>“I meant to, some evening, Charley, but I had -to work late around Christmas time, and since then -I’ve been looking for a place, and I haven’t had -much time.”</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter; did you get discharged?”</p> - -<p>“Not exactly, but there was no more work for -me after the holidays.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span>“I see,” declared Charley shortly. “Why don’t -you learn to be a telephone boy?”</p> - -<p>“Wish I might; but where could I? Every -place I go they want experienced help, but how’s a -fellow ever to get any experience if he never has -a chance to learn?”</p> - -<p>“That’s so. Maybe I could teach you something -about it. Our office closes early, and there’d be -plenty of chances to learn.”</p> - -<p>“I wish you would.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll speak to the boss about it to-morrow, and -let you know. I stand in pretty good with him.”</p> - -<p>The next evening Charley left word at Tom’s -house (for our hero was absent, delivering some -books for the second-hand dealer) that the broker -had consented to allow Tom to learn how to -operate a small private exchange switchboard.</p> - -<p>When Tom got home, later that evening, he -went over to Charley’s house, and they completed -the arrangements. The following afternoon Tom -presented himself at the broker’s office. Business -was over for the day, and save for two bookkeepers -and Charley, the place was deserted.</p> - -<p>Thereupon, Charley initiated Tom into the -mysteries of the plugs, the weighted cords, the -switches, cams and the push buttons that constitute -a private exchange.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span>“Do you think it will take me long to learn it?” -asked Tom, as he made imaginary connections.</p> - -<p>“No. A week or so, and then you can get a -good job. I learned in a week. Wait now, and -we’ll practice. I’ll make believe I’m the boss.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br /> - -<small>GETTING A PLACE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Charley</span> went into one of the inner offices, -where there was a telephone connected with the -switchboard.</p> - -<p>“Now when you see that little black thing drop,” -he called to Tom, “you want to take up one of -these plugs, which are attached to wires, though -they call ’em cords, and plug it into the hole under -where the black thing drops.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that black thing?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“That’s the visual signal. There’s a buzzer that -goes with it, but I cut the buzzer out, because it -makes my head ache,” answered Charley, who was -rather free and easy in his manners and talk. -“Then,” he went on, “you want to take off the -receiver, ’cause there ain’t no head and ear piece -here, and listen to get the number. When I tell -you a number you want to repeat it to central. -And say, don’t let them central girls bluff you. -Some of ’em are too tart. Think you understand -now? If you do I’ll try you out.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span>“Go ahead,” answered Tom, and Charley closed -the door.</p> - -<p>Presently the “little black thing” dropped. -Tom pulled up a plug and inserted it into the -proper hole.</p> - -<p>“Get me one-eight-two-seven, Oxford,” called -Charley over the wire. Tom repeated the number -to the central girl.</p> - -<p>In a moment he heard the girl’s voice over the -wire:</p> - -<p>“One-eight-two-seven, Oxford, doesn’t answer.”</p> - -<p>“Aw, what ye givin’ us!” exclaimed Charley, -“cutting” into the conversation. “Ring ’em again, -Flossie.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you the manager,” came the girl’s -voice over the wire again, and there was a frigid -tone in it.</p> - -<p>“Say, she must be a new one on this circuit,” -remarked Charley to Tom through the instrument. -“The regular girl don’t care if you have a little -joke with her. Guess I’d better go slow. Listen -now.”</p> - -<p>Soon a man’s voice was heard asking what was -wanted, and Charley, talking back to him said -he was sure there must be some one in at the number -he called.</p> - -<p>“The operator will try again for you,” said the -manager.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span>Soon Tom heard a voice he recognized as that -of a boy asking:</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter? What ye ringin’ that way -fer?”</p> - -<p>“Hello, Pete!” called Charley. “That you?”</p> - -<p>“Sure. This you, Charley?”</p> - -<p>“Of course. Say, ain’t you stayin’ kinder late?”</p> - -<p>“Yep. The boss went off, an’ left me a lot of -letters to copy. What you doin’ in your office?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m teachin’ a friend of mine how to run -the switchboard. Let me introduce you to him. -Hey, Tom Baldwin, that’s my friend, Pete Lansing, -on the other end of the wire.”</p> - -<p>“Glad to meet you,” answered Tom, thinking -this was a novel form of introduction.</p> - -<p>“Same to you. Keep the change!” exclaimed -Pete with a laugh. He seemed to be the same -jolly sort of a lad Charley was. “Call me up -again. I’ve got to get these letters done to put -in the mail,” he added.</p> - -<p>“So long!” called Charley.</p> - -<p>“Good-by,” supplemented Tom, and then a click -in the receiver told that Pete had disconnected.</p> - -<p>“See how it’s done?” asked Charley, coming -from the inner room.</p> - -<p>“A little,” answered Tom.</p> - -<p>“Now it’s different when some one calls up, -and wants a member of the firm,” went on his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span> -mentor. “If central would only ring up I’d -show——”</p> - -<p>Just then one of the black signals fell.</p> - -<p>“Here comes a call now,” said Charley. “It’s -just in time. Here, you take up a plug from right -under the drop, and you jab it in the hole. Then -you throw this little cam or handle down, and you -ask ’em who they want. Go ahead now.”</p> - -<p>Tom listened, and heard a distant voice asking -if this was the brokerage firm in whose office the -boys were.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p>“Is Mr. Simpson in?” the voice asked.</p> - -<p>“He wants Mr. Simpson,” whispered Tom to -Charley.</p> - -<p>“Tell him he’s gone for the day,” was the telephone -boy’s answer. “Ask him if he wants to -leave any message. If he does I’d better take it.”</p> - -<p>Tom did as he was told, but the man on the -other end of the wire said he would call up in the -morning.</p> - -<p>“Pull out the plug,” directed Charley, when the -drop fell once more. “He’s done. Now, if he -had wanted one of the partners, all you’d have to -do would be to take up the other cord, plug it into -the hole connected with the particular ’phone on -that’s wanted, and punch the button opposite the -hole. That rings a bell in whatever office is -wanted. See how easy it is?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span>“I don’t think it’s very easy,” remarked Tom, -“but maybe I’ll learn it after a while.”</p> - -<p>“Of course you will. Come on, now, we’ll practice -some more.”</p> - -<p>Which the two boys did, for an hour longer, -Charley giving Tom actual practice calling up -newspaper offices to ask about certain events.</p> - -<p>“The newspaper fellows are all right,” declared -Charley. “They’ll tell you anything they can, and -never kick, ’cause they know people are liable to -give ’em tips on stories. And you want to be -awful polite to customers that call up, ’cause they -might report you if you wasn’t. But don’t let them -central girls jolly you. Sometimes they’ll keep you -waiting five minutes for a number. Just tell ’em -what you want, an’ say you want it quick.”</p> - -<p>“I guess I could get along,” answered Tom, “if -I only had a place to get along in. I mean a job -like yours.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’ll git it in time,” declared Charley -confidently.</p> - -<p>As it was getting close toward six o’clock, when -the office building in which Charley worked was -to be closed for the night, the boys left, Tom -arranging to come as often as he could to take lessons -on how to manipulate a switchboard.</p> - -<p>During the next two weeks he had frequent -occasion to take advantage of Charley’s tutoring, -for, search as he did, Tom could find no permanent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span> -position. He had several places for a day or -so at a time, and managed to earn a little money -running errands for the second-hand book dealer, -but he did not make much more than his expenses.</p> - -<p>Had it not been that Mrs. Baldwin and her -sister had plenty of sewing to do, the little family -would have been sorely pressed for money.</p> - -<p>“It’s discouraging; isn’t it, Tom?” said his -mother one night, when he had come home from -a hard day tramping about.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m getting sort of hardened to it,” was -his plucky answer. “Maybe I’ll get a job to-morrow, -mother.”</p> - -<p>He had said that every night for the past two -weeks.</p> - -<p>But the next day something happened. While -Tom was at his breakfast the door bell rang, and, -answering it, the while wondering who the early -caller could be, Tom saw Charley Grove.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Tom,” greeted his chum. “Had your -breakfast? Come on, hurry up.”</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter? A fire?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve got a chance to get you a job.”</p> - -<p>“A job? Where?”</p> - -<p>“In a lawyer’s office. I’ve been keeping watch -of the ads. in the paper, and this mornin’ there’s -one in for a boy in the same building where I am. -A big firm of lawyers want a boy to manage their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span> -private telephone exchange. Hurry up down and -get it.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe they want some one who is more experienced -than I am.”</p> - -<p>“What? With me t’ recommend you?” asked -Charley incredulously. “Aw, come on. Hurry -up!”</p> - -<p>Filled with delightful anticipations Tom hurried. -Charley took him to the office in question, -which was on the tenth floor of a big building on -Washington Street. Early as it was there were -several boys in the corridor, waiting for the place -to open.</p> - -<p>“We’re too late,” said Tom.</p> - -<p>“You’ve got as good a show as any of ’em. -You’ll git a chance t’ see one of the lawyers, and -when you do, jest up and tell him you was my assistant. -They know it takes a good boy to work a -board in a broker’s office.”</p> - -<p>“But I wasn’t your assistant.”</p> - -<p>“Well, tell ’em I taught you. That’ll do.”</p> - -<p>Charley had to leave Tom, to go to his own -duties, and a little later, the offices of the law firm -were opened. The boys were admitted in turn, -and at last it came Tom’s chance.</p> - -<p>Luckily he kept his head, and answered the -questions the lawyer asked him so intelligently, and -told so frankly just what had been his telephone<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span> -exchange experience, that the lawyer remarked -encouragingly:</p> - -<p>“I believe you’ll do.”</p> - -<p>Tom’s heart gave a bound. Fortunately he had -several good letters of recommendation, and, -after a few more details had been settled, our hero -found himself engaged to take charge of the -switchboard in the private exchange of the big law -firm, the boy who had previously managed it having -been discharged for incompetency.</p> - -<p>“Won’t mother be glad!” exclaimed Tom, and -he wished he could hurry home and tell her, but -as the firm needed an operator at once, Tom had -to start right in. At last he had what he felt was -a good position.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br /> - -<small>TOM MAKES A DISCOVERY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">But</span> if our hero imagined that working a telephone -switchboard in the office of a big law firm -was going to be as easy as it was to practice with -his chum, Tom was grievously disappointed. Soon -after he took his seat in front of the board, with -its maze of cords, plugs, holes, cams and push -buttons, he had a call for one of the partners. -There were three members of the firm, which was -known officially as Boise, Keen & Cutler. Mr. -Boise was the senior member and Elias Cutler the -junior.</p> - -<p>It was Mr. Keen, a pleasant middle-aged man, -who had hired Tom, and he showed the boy how -to make the connections to the telephones in the -offices of various members of the firm. There -were also three clerks, each one of whom had an -instrument.</p> - -<p>At first, as it was early morning, only a few -calls came in, and these Tom easily managed. -The lawyers only had occasion to call up outside<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> -parties once or twice, and Tom had no difficulty -in getting the desired numbers. But, as the day -advanced, and more business began to come in on -the wire, the boy soon found he had his hands -full.</p> - -<p>“I guess it isn’t going to be as easy as I -thought,” he said to himself, as he placed plug -after plug in the holes, and worked the cams and -buttons as fast as he could.</p> - -<p>About noon some one called for Mr. Boise, and -Tom put the plug of the cord in the hole he -thought connected with the instrument on the desk -of the head of the firm. Then a call came for Mr. -Keen, but, while Tom was making that connection -the door of Mr. Cutler’s office opened, and that -individual fairly rushed out.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with you?” he asked Tom, -rather savagely. “Don’t you know enough to -operate a switchboard?”</p> - -<p>“Why—why—what’s wrong?” asked Tom innocently.</p> - -<p>“Why, you’ve put the party who wanted Mr. -Boise on my wire, and you spoilt a long distance -call I had to Taunton. Now I’ve got to call up -again, and maybe I’ll lose my party. Why don’t -you make the right connections?”</p> - -<p>“I—I thought I did, Mr. Cutler.”</p> - -<p>“Well, thinking so isn’t going to mend matters. -Now give the party that’s on my wire to Mr. Boise,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span> -and then see if you can get central for me. I never -saw such a poor operator,” he murmured, as he -went back into his office and slammed the door.</p> - -<p>Mr. Boise came out of his office then. He had -evidently heard what the junior partner said.</p> - -<p>“Try and be a little more careful, Tom,” he remarked -kindly. “I know you are new at it, and -you’ll get along all right after a while. Don’t be -afraid to ask questions. It’s better to be sure than -sorry, you know. That’s an old adage, but it’s a -good one. Have you changed the party to my -wire?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” answered Tom, grateful for the kind -manner in which the head of the firm spoke.</p> - -<p>Tom could not help being a little nervous, but -he kept a good grip on himself, shut his teeth -firmly together and resolved to make no more mistakes -that day. He was glad when the noon hour -came, as he could go out and get something to eat, -and, while he was gone, one of the junior clerks -operated the switchboard. Tom went to a little -restaurant where Charley Grove had promised to -meet him.</p> - -<p>“Well,” asked his chum, “how’d you make -out?”</p> - -<p>“Pretty well, I guess. I made a couple of -blunders, and Mr. Cutler, the junior partner, -scolded me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span>“Aw, don’t mind that. Tell him it was the central -girl’s fault.”</p> - -<p>“But it wasn’t.”</p> - -<p>“Aw, how do they know? I always blame the -girls. They’re used to it, and, besides, the bosses -never see ’em, so it don’t make no difference.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think I’d like to do that. I’ll catch -on to it after a while.”</p> - -<p>“Sure you will. What are you goin’ to eat?”</p> - -<p>Then the boys began to discuss the bill of fare, -and were soon enjoying their lunch as only hungry -boys can.</p> - -<p>“What time do you get through?” asked -Charley.</p> - -<p>“Five o’clock, Mr. Boise said.”</p> - -<p>“How much wages do you get?”</p> - -<p>“Nine dollars a week, and I’m to get ten after -I’ve been there a while.”</p> - -<p>“That’s pretty good, for a start. I’m going to -strike the boss for another dollar soon. I’m worth -more than ten a week to ’em. Why, there’s thousands -of dollars of business goes over my ’phone -every hour, and I ought to get more than ten.”</p> - -<p>“I hope you do,” said Tom cordially. “But say, -Charley, I wish you’d do me a favor.”</p> - -<p>“What is it? Want any money? I ain’t got -much, ’cause I went to the theatre twice this week.”</p> - -<p>“No, it isn’t money. I have enough for a few -days yet, until I get paid. But I wish you’d stop<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span> -at my house, on your way home, and tell my -mother I have a good place. She’ll be anxious to -know, and I have no way to send her word.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, I’ll do it. But ain’t there some place -near there you can call up on the wire, and ask -’em to take the message to her? I do that sometimes, -when I’m comin’ home late.”</p> - -<p>“No, I don’t know of any place but the drug -store, and they might charge for sending a message. -Besides, maybe the firm wouldn’t like me to -use the telephone for my private affairs.”</p> - -<p>“Aw, it don’t make any difference to them. -They pay for the wire by the year, and you can use -it as often as you like. But I’ll stop and tell your -mother. I quit at three o’clock. There’s no -brokerage business done after that.”</p> - -<p>Tom went back to the switchboard, glad to -think his mother would know of his success sooner -than he hoped to be able to inform her. During -the afternoon he acquired more confidence in himself, -and, though once or twice he gave central the -wrong numbers, from imperfectly catching them as -they were repeated by the members of the firm, -Mr. Boise and Mr. Keen did not get angry over -the errors. Tom was congratulating himself that -he was going to get through the day without further -offending Mr. Cutler, when that individual -called for a certain number.</p> - -<p>Tom gave it to central, and, having made the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span> -connections threw up the cam, in order not to listen -to what was being said. Then he leaned back in -his chair, for he was tired, and the receiver of the -telephone, which was fastened to his head by a -spring clip, that held it in place so he could use -both hands, made his ear ache. He wished he -could take it off.</p> - -<p>One of the black signal disks dropped, and Tom, -depressing the cam, to ask what was wanted, heard -Mr. Cutler speaking to him.</p> - -<p>“There you go again!” exclaimed the irate -lawyer. “You have given me the wrong number. -I called for one-six-four-three, Chelsea, and you -have given me one-four-six-three. That’s a police -station. What do I want of a police station?”</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry,” murmured Tom. “I’ll get the -right number for you.”</p> - -<p>“That was my mistake,” came another voice -over the wire—the central girl’s voice. “I beg -your pardon,” she added.</p> - -<p>“That’s all right,” said Tom pleasantly. He -wished Mr. Cutler could have heard the explanation, -but the lawyer, in disgust, had hung up his -receiver until Tom should get him the right connection.</p> - -<p>“I thought I didn’t give the wrong number,” -mused the boy. “I hope I don’t do anything more -to annoy Mr. Cutler. He seems to get angry very -easily.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span>Tom was glad when it was time to go home, and -he found his mother and aunt ready to welcome -him, for Charley had told them the good news.</p> - -<p>“I’m so glad!” exclaimed Mrs. Baldwin. -“This is the best place you’ve had yet.”</p> - -<p>“And so refined,” added Miss Ramsey. “I -always wanted a lawyer in the family, and now -Tom has a chance to be one.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid it will be a good many years before -I can learn law over the switchboard, Aunt -Sallie.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, but you will have opportunities. I think -it is better to be a lawyer than a bookseller.”</p> - -<p>“Especially as I haven’t any chance to become -a bookseller,” added Tom with a laugh. “Well, -mother, is there anything I can do for you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Tom; I have just finished some sewing -for Mrs. Crawford Leeth. I wish you would take -it home, when I have made out the bill. I think -she will pay you, for she owes me for some other -work, and she promised to settle for it all when I -sent this waist home. So please ask her, if she -doesn’t offer to give you the money.”</p> - -<p>“I will, mother. I suppose I’d better not sit -on this, in case the car is crowded,” he added with -a smile.</p> - -<p>“Mercy sakes, no!” exclaimed his aunt. “It -has some valuable lace on it. Be very careful of -it, Tom.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span>It was quite a long ride to where Mrs. Leeth -lived, and it was nearly eight o’clock when Tom -arrived. The house was a fine one, in an exclusive -residential section, and the door was opened -by a colored butler.</p> - -<p>“Here’s the dress for Mrs. Leeth,” said Tom.</p> - -<p>“I’ll take it,” replied the butler.</p> - -<p>“But I want to see Mrs. Leeth,” insisted Tom, -who had in mind his mother’s injunction to get -the money.</p> - -<p>“She am busy.”</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll wait,” said Tom firmly, and, holding -on to the package, which the butler offered to -take from him, he stepped into the hall, and sat -down.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell her about it,” promised the colored -man, “but she hab some company, an’ I know she -won’t see you.”</p> - -<p>“You might take her this,” suggested Tom, -handing the colored man the bill.</p> - -<p>The butler vanished behind some hanging plush -portieres, and came back presently to say:</p> - -<p>“She’ll be heah immejeet, but she doan’t laik -to be ’sturbed when she hab company. She am -very indignant.”</p> - -<p>“She is, eh?” thought Tom. “So would my -mother be if I didn’t come back with the money.”</p> - -<p>Presently there was a swish of silken skirts, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span> -a handsomely-dressed woman came into the reception -hall where Tom sat.</p> - -<p>“Have you brought my dress, boy?” she asked -sharply.</p> - -<p>“Yes, ma’am,” answered Tom, rising.</p> - -<p>“You are more than two hours late with it. I -wanted it to wear this evening, and I am much -disappointed.”</p> - -<p>“I brought it as soon as it was finished. I think -there was more work on it than my mother -thought.”</p> - -<p>“She should learn to calculate better then, and -not disappoint her customers. You may lay it on -the table there, and tell her I am displeased that -it is late.”</p> - -<p>“She asked me to bring back the money for it,” -said Tom boldly, determined not to be awed by -the airs of this society matron. “I gave the butler -the bill.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I have it; but it is not convenient for me -to pay it now.”</p> - -<p>“My mother particularly wished it, Mrs. -Leeth.”</p> - -<p>“Probably, but I have no change in the house.”</p> - -<p>“I can take a check,” said Tom.</p> - -<p>“My husband is at his office downtown, and he -will not be home until late. I will send your -mother a check to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“If you will allow me, I will go down to your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span> -husband’s office,” suggested the boy. “You can -write him a note, authorizing him to give me a -check for the bill. Or you can telephone him,” -he added, seeing an instrument in the rear of the -hall.</p> - -<p>The woman seemed rather annoyed at Tom’s -suggestion, but she had no good excuse ready. -Rather reluctantly, therefore, she telephoned to her -husband at his office, and told him a boy would -presently call on him with a bill, for which she -requested Mr. Leeth to make out a check.</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” said Tom, when Mrs. Leeth had -given him the business address of her husband.</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe I shall have your mother do -any more work for me,” said the handsomely-dressed -woman haughtily. “She disappointed me -so this evening, by not having my waist here on -time.”</p> - -<p>Tom said nothing, but he rather thought his -mother would not care to work for a customer who -was so exacting, and so careless about pay.</p> - -<p>Tom was soon at the big office building where -Mr. Leeth had a suite of rooms. Though it was -nine o’clock there were lights in several of the -windows, for, it appeared, some of the tenants -were working overtime. Mr. Leeth was agent for -a big manufacturing concern.</p> - -<p>Tom had to climb several flights of stairs to -Mr. Leeth’s office. He found that gentleman in,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> -and soon had received a check, which he knew -would please his mother.</p> - -<p>“Just receipt the bill,” requested Mr. Leeth.</p> - -<p>While Tom was signing his name to the receipt -for the money, the office door opened, and some -one came in. The boy did not look up to see who -it was, but he heard Mr. Leeth exclaim:</p> - -<p>“Ah, come right in. I’ve been waiting for you. -Did you bring the papers and the cash?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I had a hard time getting the money. -The old doctor is getting rather suspicious of late. -I trusted his faulty memory——”</p> - -<p>The speaker paused suddenly, evidently in response -to a warning gesture from Mr. Leeth, for -the newcomer had not observed Tom, who was -standing at a desk behind the door.</p> - -<p>“Thank you, sir,” said our hero, as he folded -up the check, put it in his pocket, and prepared -to leave. As he turned he came face to face with -Barton Sandow.</p> - -<p>It would be hard to say who was the more surprised, -the man or Tom. Mr. Sandow started, -and seemed about to say something.</p> - -<p>“Ah, are you acquainted?” asked Mr. Leeth in -surprise.</p> - -<p>“I have met Mr. Sandow,” replied Tom, while -Dr. Spidderkins’ brother-in-law murmured something -unintelligible. Then, as the man who had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span> -called Tom a gutter-pup did not notice him, the -boy passed out.</p> - -<p>“I wonder what he’s doing in there?” our hero -thought, as he walked down the dimly-lighted corridors. -“And he must have been referring to Dr. -Spidderkins, when he spoke of the money and -papers. I wonder if the old doctor is safe with -those two?” he went on, as he thought of the queer -actions of Mr. and Mrs. Sandow, and how incapable -the aged physician, with his failing -memory, was of looking out for his own interests.</p> - -<p>Though he did not know it then, Tom had made -quite a discovery that night.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br /> - -<small>SEEKING INFORMATION</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Though</span> he was very busy the next day, Tom -could not help thinking, several times, of the scene -he had witnessed the night before, when he received -the check.</p> - -<p>“I wish I had listened more closely to what -Sandow said,” he mused. “If I had known it was -he, I would have done so. Let me see, it was -something about bringing the money and the -papers, and that he had a hard time getting the -money because the old doctor was getting suspicious. -Then he said something about trusting to -his faulty memory, and that was all.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure he must have referred to Dr. Spidderkins. -I don’t like the look of that Sandow, -and his wife isn’t much better. From what I’ve -seen they have the old gentleman right under their -thumb, and I guess they could almost make him -believe black was white, because he can’t remember -five minutes at a time, unless it has to do with -some book. I wish I knew whether they were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span> -doing anything to make trouble for him. Maybe -I’d better speak to some one about it.”</p> - -<p>But, the more Tom thought of it, the less he -liked to mention it to any member of the firm for -whom he worked. He had not been there long -enough to venture on any confidences, and he -realized that the lawyers were too busy to pay attention -to any matters that did not directly concern -them.</p> - -<p>“I guess I’ll ask a few questions of Charley -Grove,” he concluded. “I’ll see him this noon at -the restaurant.”</p> - -<p>Tom made no mistakes that morning, and was -in better spirits when he went out for his noonday -meal. He found his chum waiting for him, -and, when he had a chance, spoke of his trip the -night previous, to get the check.</p> - -<p>“That woman thought she was going to put me -off,” said Tom, “but I guess I surprised her, when -I offered to go for the cash. I met Barton Sandow -in Mr. Leeth’s office,” he added, as though it was -of no importance.</p> - -<p>“I don’t like that fellow,” replied Charley. -“He was in our office to-day, buying some stocks, -and he called me down because I didn’t get his -number quick enough for him. I didn’t dare say -anything, ’cause the boss was standing right there, -but I took my own time making the connection -for him.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span>“Who did he call up?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“Why, that fellow you were telling me about—Mr. -Leeth. But I couldn’t hear what he said, as -I had to take care of a lot of calls from customers -then. We have five trunk lines on our switchboard. -How many have you?”</p> - -<p>“Only three. Say, do you suppose there’s any -truth in what you told me, about Sandow wanting -to get hold of Dr. Spidderkins’ money?”</p> - -<p>“Shouldn’t wonder,” answered Charley easily. -“You could take most anything you wanted away -from Doc. Spidderkins now, and he wouldn’t know -it, if you gave him a book to look at. He’s daffy -on books, every one says.”</p> - -<p>“But he’s a very fine old gentleman.”</p> - -<p>“You bet he is. Better that Barton Sandow. -I wish I had a chance to call Sandow down, for -being so fresh with me,” added Charley, for the -matter of the telephone call seemed to rankle in -his mind.</p> - -<p>“He called me a mean name, once,” said Tom, -telling of the day when he had gone into Sandow’s -office, to look for work.</p> - -<p>That afternoon, just before closing time, Mr. -Boise, the head of the law firm, came out to the -switchboard.</p> - -<p>“How are you getting on?” he asked Tom, -pleasantly.</p> - -<p>“Pretty well, sir.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span>“That’s good. I think you’ll learn to be quite -expert in time. I want you to do a little errand -for me on your way home,” he added, and Tom -saw that he had a bundle of papers in his hand. -“Do you know where Dr. Spidderkins lives?”</p> - -<p>“Why, yes,” replied Tom, wondering what was -coming.</p> - -<p>“That’s good. Then you’re acquainted in the -Back Bay section?”</p> - -<p>“Not very well, but I carried books to the doctor’s -house several times, when I worked for Mr. -Townsend.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, I had forgotten about that. Well, -I wish you would take these papers to him, and tell -him that I have attended to all his requests. The -land matters are all in good shape now, and the -estate books are all balanced. Can you remember -that, or shall I write a note?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I can remember it. Are you his lawyers?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; we do considerable business for him.”</p> - -<p>“A chum of mine—Charley Grove, whom Dr. -Spidderkins used to attend—says the doctor is -quite rich,” went on Tom, thinking this a good -chance to get some more information.</p> - -<p>“Yes; he is quite wealthy,” said Mr. Boise. -“His estate is a large one. Most of it came to -him through his father, and his brother left him -some when he died. That, together with the doctor’s -own property, makes him very well-to-do.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span> -But he is so forgetful that we have to make -memoranda of everything for him.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve had some experience with his short -memory,” remarked Tom, smiling at the recollection.</p> - -<p>“Now don’t forget to impress the message on -him,” cautioned Mr. Boise, “and watch where he -puts the papers you give him. Just as likely as -not he’ll call on me some day, and say he never -received them.”</p> - -<p>“I will,” promised Tom, and, when it came time -for him to lay aside the telephone head-piece, he -did so with a feeling of relief, for he welcomed -the long trolley ride to the Back Bay district, even -though it would bring him home rather late.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Sandow opened the door when our hero -arrived at the Spidderkins’ mansion.</p> - -<p>“Here are some papers for Dr. Spidderkins,” -said Tom.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give ’em to him, then you won’t have to -come in and get mud all over my clean floors,” -she said, scowling at Tom.</p> - -<p>“But I have a particular message to give the -doctor.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, then you can come in, I suppose,” -but Mrs. Sandow did not speak very graciously.</p> - -<p>“Ah, glad to see you,” greeted the aged physician, -who, for a wonder, did not forget Tom this -time. “When are you going to bring me my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span> -books? I ordered some of Mr. Townsend to-day.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not there any more.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, that’s so. I forgot. Let’s see, you told -me where you were employed, but my wretched -memory has made me forget it.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe I told you,” replied Tom, “but -I’m with Boise, Keen & Cutler. I have brought -you some papers from them.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. I told them to send up the documents, -but I had forgotten all about it. I have -secured quite a rare book, an early edition of -Smollett, and that drove everything else out of my -mind. But come into my study.”</p> - -<p>He led the way into a room, the walls of which -were lined with row after row of books. Tom -gave him the papers and delivered the message, -then, in obedience with the instructions of Mr. -Boise, the lad watched to see where Dr. Spidderkins -would put the documents.</p> - -<p>“I’ll lay them on this shelf,” the doctor said, -“right under this volume of Fielding. Ah, that -is a rare and valuable work. Then I’ll remember -where the papers are. I picked up that book on -Fielding the same day I got the first edition of -Plutarch’s Lives—no, I’m wrong—it was the day -I secured, in a second-hand book store, the complete -edition of Dickens, with the original illustrations.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span> -Queer, how some things will slip out of -my mind.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think you’ll remember where the -papers are now, doctor?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, indeed I will. I have occasion to look -at the volume of Balzac every day, and——”</p> - -<p>“But I thought you said you was going to put -them under a book on baseball fielding.”</p> - -<p>“Baseball fielding! Oh! Ha! Ha! I see. -You thought I was going in for sport! No, no, -my dear young friend; Fielding is the name of an -early English novelist. But I did say Fielding, -and not Balzac. There! My memory is getting -more and more wretched every day!”</p> - -<p>“I guess I don’t know much about books,” admitted -Tom.</p> - -<p>“Well, you’ll learn. I’m much obliged to you, -for bringing the papers. There, I’ve put them -under Mr. Fielding’s book—not the baseball fielding, -remember, Tom—and they’ll be safe until I -want them, and I shan’t forget where they are.”</p> - -<p>“If you do I’ll try and help you remember,” -said the boy with a laugh.</p> - -<p>Tom bade the doctor good-night, and started -out of the door. As he opened the portal, and -stepped into the faintly-lighted hall, he thought he -heard the rustle of a woman’s dress, and he was -almost sure he saw a figure hastily disappearing -around the corner.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span>“That must have been Mrs. Sandow,” thought -Tom, “and I believe she was listening at the doctor’s -door. There’s something queer going on in -this house, and I wish I knew what it was.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br /> - -<small>A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was a slight accident on the trolley line -that night, when Tom was going home. A truck -got stalled on the track, and it was nearly midnight -when he got to the house, where he found -his mother anxiously waiting for him.</p> - -<p>“You poor boy!” she exclaimed. “Where have -you been? Did you have your supper?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. When I found the trolleys were -blocked I got out of the car, which happened to -be near a small restaurant, and I had a nice little -meal. I had to go to Dr. Spidderkins’ house for -Mr. Boise.”</p> - -<p>“I think you have a good deal of night work to -do, Tom.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m the youngest member of the firm,” -replied her son jokingly. “I’ve got to do the hard -work until I rise in my profession.”</p> - -<p>Tom fell asleep vainly wondering whether or -not he had better mention to Mr. Boise the suspicions -he had concerning Barton Sandow and his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span> -wife. But, in the morning, he decided he had -better not interfere with what did not concern -him.</p> - -<p>“I’ll wait until I have some better proof, before -I say anything,” he thought. “Maybe I’m -making a mountain out of a mole-hill.”</p> - -<p>For a week or more events went along smoothly -at the law office where Tom was employed. He -was getting to be quite expert at the switchboard, -and seldom made a mistake.</p> - -<p>Try as he did, however, he could not seem to -please Mr. Cutler. That lawyer was continually -finding fault, even when Tom got for him the required -connections in almost record-breaking time.</p> - -<p>“You’re worse than the other boy we had!” exclaimed -the junior member one day, when Tom -had cut him off a second or two before he was -through. Then Mr. Cutler strode into the room -occupied by Mr. Boise. As he left the door partly -open Tom could not help hearing part of what -was said.</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you discharge that boy and hire -a good one?” asked the junior partner, wrathfully.</p> - -<p>“What boy?” asked Mr. Boise, who had a -habit of becoming so deeply immersed in thinking -of a case, that often questions had to be repeated -several times.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span>“That telephone boy—Tom Baldwin. He’s -more bother than he’s worth.”</p> - -<p>“Why, I thought he was doing good work. I -have no trouble getting my connections. What -seems to be the difficulty?”</p> - -<p>“Well—er—I don’t know exactly—but he -doesn’t seem to be up to the mark. I think we -ought to have another boy.”</p> - -<p>“I am sorry I can’t agree with you, Mr. Cutler,” -Tom heard Mr. Boise say. “Mr. Keen engaged -Tom, and he spoke well of his qualifications. -The boy has a mother and an aged aunt partly dependent -on him, and he was out of work for some -time before coming to us. He learned how to -work a switchboard, hoping to get a place, and -now he has one I don’t feel we should discharge -him—especially when there is no good cause for -it.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I only mentioned it,” said Mr. Cutler, -rather weakly. “Perhaps he’ll do all right, but -he makes mistakes.”</p> - -<p>“So we all do,” remarked Mr. Boise. “I think -Tom will be all right.”</p> - -<p>Then the door was closed, and Tom could hear -no more. But what he had heard told him two -things, one of which he knew before. He was -made aware that Mr. Boise was very friendly to -him, and he realized that Mr. Cutler had some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span> -grudge against him, though what it could be our -hero could not imagine.</p> - -<p>“It can’t be about the telephone calls,” reasoned -the lad, “for I haven’t made but one error on his -wire in nearly a week, and that was a small one—cutting -him off. He was through, anyhow, for -the party on the other end of the wire had said -‘good-by.’ But I’m glad Mr. Boise stuck up for -me.”</p> - -<p>That afternoon, toward the close of the day’s -business, as Tom was sitting in front of the switchboard, -idly wondering where the next call would -come from, one of the black drops fell. He -plugged in a wire, and asked:</p> - -<p>“Whom did you wish to speak to?”</p> - -<p>Back came the answer, in a voice that startled -Tom, for he knew he had heard it somewhere -before:</p> - -<p>“Is Mr. Cutler in?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll connect you with him. Hold the wire,” -directed Tom, and he made doubly sure that he -put the right plug in the right hole, so that the -person could speak to the junior partner.</p> - -<p>As soon as this connection was made there came -another call, for Mr. Boise. The head of the firm -was soon conversing with a client, and then a third -drop fell.</p> - -<p>“Well, the day is going to wind up with a rush,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span> -thought Tom. “Whom did you wish?” he asked -politely.</p> - -<p>“I want to talk to Mr. Cutler,” spoke a woman’s -voice.</p> - -<p>“He is busy now. If you will hold the wire, -I’ll let you speak to him as soon as he has finished.”</p> - -<p>“Very well. Don’t forget it. It’s very important.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll not. Just hold the wire.”</p> - -<p>Then, as was his custom, when a party was waiting -for one of the law-firm members who was -already engaged on the wire, Tom depressed the -cam which enabled him to hear whether Mr. Cutler -and the speaker whose voice had so startled -the boy, were finished. Tom, as he “cut in” heard -Mr. Cutler saying:</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes, I’ll attend to it for you. The plan -ought to work, but you’ve got to be careful.”</p> - -<p>Then, before he shut off the connection through -his own instrument, he heard the man on the other -end of the wire say:</p> - -<p>“I’ve got the papers all right. The forgetful -old dotard left them in his study, and my wife -heard him and the boy talking about them. I’ve -got ’em all right, and he’ll never remember anything -about them. I guess they ought to be worth -something, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, indeed,” Mr. Cutler replied. “The estate -is a big one, and there’s no reason why you and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span> -I shouldn’t have a share. I guess we can work it -without any one knowing anything about it. I’ll -call you up in a few days Mr.——”</p> - -<p>“No names!” cautioned the other quickly.</p> - -<p>“All right,” answered Mr. Cutler with a laugh. -“I understand. Good-by.”</p> - -<p>Tom knew that the conversation was finished, -and that he could give the waiting lady the junior -partner on the wire. But he hesitated a moment -before pulling out the plugs, and readjusting them.</p> - -<p>“I’ve heard that man’s voice before,” he mused. -“I know it well. Who can it be?”</p> - -<p>Then there came over the wire the voice of the -man in question. It seemed that he had forgotten -something, though Mr. Cutler was busy talking -to the lady.</p> - -<p>“Hello! Hello!” he called. “I say! I forgot -something. Wait a moment, Mr. Cutler!”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Cutler is busy on another wire,” replied -Tom. “If you wait I can get him back for you?”</p> - -<p>“Who is this speaking?” asked the man’s voice, -and there seemed to be a note of fear in it.</p> - -<p>“This is the private exchange operator.”</p> - -<p>“I know that, but who are you? What’s your -name?”</p> - -<p>“Tom Baldwin. Do you wish me to get Mr. -Cutler on the wire for you?”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p110.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“No!” came the sudden answer.<br /> - -<span class="illoright"><i>Page <a href="#Page_110">110</a>.</i></span></p> - -<p>“No!” came the sudden answer, and the man<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span> -hung up his receiver with a bang that made a loud -click in Tom’s ear.</p> - -<p>Then, like a flash there came to our hero the -recognition of the voice.</p> - -<p>“That was Barton Sandow speaking!” he exclaimed -softly. “I’m pretty sure it was, and I believe -he was talking about that Spidderkins estate -and those papers I took to the doctor!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br /> - -<small>SANDOW IS ALARMED</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tom</span> hardly knew what to do. As he finished -his work that afternoon, and started toward home, -he had half a mind to go and tell Dr. Spidderkins -what he had heard. Then he reflected that -he could say nothing definite, and that, after all, -the mysterious message might be a perfectly proper -one. It might refer to some other person than the -eccentric doctor.</p> - -<p>“But one thing I’m pretty certain of,” thought -Tom, “and that is the voice I heard was that of -Barton Sandow. Maybe I had better speak to Mr. -Boise about it. No, if I do that I’ll have to say -Sandow was talking to Mr. Cutler, and Mr. Boise -will consult with him. Mr. Cutler will accuse me -of listening, when I really couldn’t help it, and I’ll -lose my place.</p> - -<p>“No, I can’t do that. I wish I knew some one -I might consult with. Perhaps Mr. Keen would -be a good man. He seems kind, and I could ask<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span> -him to say nothing about it to Mr. Cutler. I’ll -think that over.”</p> - -<p>Which Tom did, after he got to bed that night, -but in the morning he was as unsettled as ever.</p> - -<p>“I’ll not do anything until I’m more certain,” -he decided. “But if Mr. Sandow calls up Mr. Cutler -on the wire again, I’ll listen to all he says. I -think I have a right to, for I believe he is up to -something wrong.”</p> - -<p>During the days that followed Tom became -more and more expert at the switchboard, so that -even Mr. Cutler, anxious as he was to do so, could -find no fault with the lad.</p> - -<p>“Tom, I have some good news for you,” Mr. -Keen said to him one Saturday afternoon, when -he was paying the telephone boy his weekly wages. -“In the first place Mr. Boise wants me to tell you -that he is very well satisfied with your work.”</p> - -<p>“I am glad of that.”</p> - -<p>“And, better than being merely glad about it, -he has shown his appreciation in a substantial way. -Hereafter your wages will be eleven dollars a -week.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, very much,” replied Tom, “and -tell Mr. Boise that I appreciate it.”</p> - -<p>“I think he knows that. He is a man who likes -to help boys get along in the world, and I am sure -he will prove your friend.”</p> - -<p>Tom was delighted at the additional money<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span> -every week, and he knew his mother and aunt -would share in his joy. He was now getting more -than Charley Grove, who had been at the switchboard -over a year, for Charley had not received -the additional dollar he had “struck the boss for,” -as he expressed it.</p> - -<p>Tom thought this a good opportunity, when -Mr. Keen was in such a particularly kindly mood, -to broach the subject of Barton Sandow, and the -mysterious message, but, just as he was about to -mention it, a telephone call came in, and he had -to adjust the switchboard. The call was for Mr. -Keen, who had remained after the other members -of the law firm had departed, and when he had -finished talking he hurried away, before Tom had -a chance to more than say “good-afternoon.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll speak to him Monday,” thought Tom, but, -when Monday came, Mr. Keen had to go out of -town, and was away for several days.</p> - -<p>There came several dull days in the law office, -when, for hours at a time Tom would sit at the -switchboard and not a call would come in. This -was rather tiresome, but he had to remain on duty, -as there was no telling when he would have to -make the connections.</p> - -<p>“I wish I could read,” he thought. “Guess I’ll -ask one of the clerks if there’s any objection.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly, he broached the matter to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span> -young fellow who relieved him at the board during -the noon hour.</p> - -<p>“Sure you can read, if you want to,” said the -youth. “Why don’t you start in to read law? -This is a good chance. I used to have your job, -and one day I was reading a book of adventures. -Mr. Boise saw me, and wanted to know what it -was. I told him, and I thought he’d object, but -he suggested that I start to study law in my spare -moments. I did, beginning on a simple book, and -finally he made me a clerk. That gave me more -time, and I’ll be ready for the bar examinations in -another year.”</p> - -<p>“I never thought of that,” said Tom. “I -believe I would like to know something of law.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll lend you a book to start on,” said the clerk -kindly, and he handed Tom a volume that did not -look very attractive. But Tom was not easily discouraged, -and he began it. He found it simpler -than he had expected, and he became quite interested -in it.</p> - -<p>“What have you there?” asked Mr. Boise of -him, one afternoon, as the senior partner came in -from a late lunch. “Is it the life of ‘Fearless -Frank, the Boy Scout,’ or ‘Death-Dealing Dick’? -Oh, there’s no objection to you reading,” he added -hastily, as Tom started up in some confusion.</p> - -<p>As he did so the book fell down, open, so that -the title could be read.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span>“Ah, the law primer,” remarked Mr. Boise. “I -am glad to see this, Tom. Not that there is anything -wrong in reading a good book of adventure, -for I like that sort of a story myself, once in a -while, but they are not good as a steady diet. -When you finish that book I will loan you -another.”</p> - -<p>He passed on, nodding his head in approval.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, as the days passed, Tom was -wondering why Barton Sandow did not call up -again.</p> - -<p>“Maybe I frightened him,” thought the telephone -boy.</p> - -<p>That afternoon Mr. Keen called Tom into his -office.</p> - -<p>“I want you to leave a little earlier to-day,” he -said. “A client of ours is coming to the Parker -House. Do you know where that hotel is?”</p> - -<p>Tom well knew the location of the famous hotel, -the rolls of which have become a byword in many -parts of the country.</p> - -<p>“I want you to take these papers to Mr. Jonathan -Norris, who is stopping there,” went on Mr. -Keen. “Ask the clerk to show you to his room, -deliver the documents, and have him give you a -receipt. He is expecting them.”</p> - -<p>“What about the telephone?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“I will have one of the clerks look after it for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span> -you, while you are gone. You need not come back, -here to-night.”</p> - -<p>Tom liked that, as it would give him about an -hour off.</p> - -<p>He found Mr. Norris without trouble, delivered -the papers, and was walking briskly toward the -door of the main entrance, when he nearly collided -with Barton Sandow, who was hurriedly entering -the hotel.</p> - -<p>“Excuse me,” said Tom.</p> - -<p>“What! You here!” exclaimed Sandow. “I -thought—I——”</p> - -<p>He seemed quite startled, and Tom wondered -what the matter could be.</p> - -<p>“Did I hurt you?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Hurt me? No—but you——”</p> - -<p>Again Sandow seemed confused.</p> - -<p>“Was it you at the telephone switchboard the -other day?” he asked, and Tom wondered at the -friendly tone he used. It was quite different from -the voice in which Mr. Barton Sandow had called -our hero a “gutter-pup.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the boy. “You mean the day -you called up Mr. Cutler?”</p> - -<p>“That’s the day. Did you hear what I said?”</p> - -<p>“Part of it,” answered Tom.</p> - -<p>“You did?” and Sandow seemed quite excited.</p> - -<p>“I could not help it. I had to come in on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span> -wire to see if Mr. Cutler was through, as a lady -was anxious to talk to him.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, it doesn’t matter,” spoke Sandow, -with an air of studied indifference. “The message -was of no importance. It was about some property -I own, and which is in litigation. Mr. Cutler -is my lawyer. It’s only a small matter.”</p> - -<p>Tom wondered if it was, why Mr. Sandow -should seem so frightened over something, for -frightened the man certainly was.</p> - -<p>“I don’t suppose you reported what you heard -to any one; did you?” asked Sandow eagerly.</p> - -<p>“No, sir,” replied Tom quickly. “It is against -orders to speak of the firm’s business outside.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right, though in this case it doesn’t -make any difference. It was of small importance. -The affair is closed up now. It was of no importance -whatever.” And Sandow passed on.</p> - -<p>“Well, if it wasn’t,” thought Tom, who had his -own ideas on the subject, “you’re taking a great -deal of trouble to impress that fact on me.”</p> - -<p>Wondering more than ever what sort of a game -Sandow was playing, Tom left the lobby of the -hotel, and started toward home.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br /> - -<small>MR. CUTLER’S VISITOR</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Well</span>, Tom,” asked Mr. Keen, the next morning, -“did you deliver the papers?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, and Mr. Norris said he would call -on you this afternoon.”</p> - -<p>“Very good; I’ll be here. Now get me the surrogate’s -office, in the court house.”</p> - -<p>Tom had on a small card, the numbers of the -places most frequently called up by the members -of the firm, in order to save the time of looking in -the telephone book, and he soon had the connection -for Mr. Keen.</p> - -<p>As our hero was going home that afternoon -Mr. Keen gave him a message to deliver to a -client who lived in the suburbs, across the Charles -River.</p> - -<p>“It is quite important,” said the lawyer, “or I -would not ask you to spend your own time delivering -it.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t mind,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span>“Well, I am sure I appreciate that. Since you -are so good-natured about it I think I will ask -you to do a little more. This concerns a suit which -is to be tried to-morrow. I must have an answer -from this gentleman, and he has no telephone. -Will you go out there, and bring back the answer?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Bring it here to the office,” went on Mr. Keen. -“I am going to work here quite late, to-night, and, -if I should not be in when you get here, leave the -answer on my desk, for I may be out to supper.”</p> - -<p>“I think I can be back here by eight, or, at the -most, nine o’clock,” spoke Tom.</p> - -<p>“That will do very nicely. I expect to be up -until nearly midnight, getting the papers in shape -for the trial to-morrow. You had better start -now, as it is quite a ride out there.”</p> - -<p>With a bundle of papers in his pocket Tom -started off. He had sent word to his mother, by -telephoning to a drug store near his house, that -he would not be home until late.</p> - -<p>Tom rather enjoyed the trolley ride, for it was -in a section he had seldom visited.</p> - -<p>“I hope I find a restaurant out here,” he remarked -to himself as the trolley rumbled along. -“I’ll be mighty hungry by the time I get back.”</p> - -<p>When he reached the house of the gentleman he -had been sent to see, he delivered the papers, and -asked:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span>“How long do you think it will be before you -have the answer ready?”</p> - -<p>“Why? Do you have to go somewhere else in -this neighborhood?” asked the client.</p> - -<p>“I would like to go to a restaurant,” replied -Tom. “Is there one near here?”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid not, but I’d be glad to have you -come in and take tea with me.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no; I wouldn’t like to trouble you.”</p> - -<p>“It will be no trouble at all. I am all alone -this evening, as my wife and daughters have gone -to Symphony Hall to a concert. Come in, for it -will take me some time to look over these papers, -and prepare my answer.”</p> - -<p>Tom was too hungry to be bashful, and he was -soon seated at a table bountifully spread, while a -neatly-dressed servant brought him a hot cup of -tea, which was grateful after the long cold ride.</p> - -<p>The gentleman was so busily engaged with the -legal documents that he did not get a chance to -eat with Tom, who was all alone at the table, which -the boy did not regret, as his appetite was particularly -good, and he did not want to feel embarrassed -by dining with a stranger.</p> - -<p>“There, I think that covers it,” said the gentleman -at length, as he handed Tom a bundle of -papers. “Tell Mr. Keen I will see him at court, in -the morning. Did you manage to make out a -meal?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span>“Yes, sir, and I thank you very much.”</p> - -<p>It was nearly nine o’clock when Tom reached -the office of the law firm in Washington Street. -He went up to the big front doors and he did not -have to knock, as Mr. Keen had told him to do, -as the watchman was on the lookout for him.</p> - -<p>“Is it cold out,” asked the old man, who had -charge of the building nights.</p> - -<p>“It’s getting colder,” remarked Tom. “Feels -like snow, too.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t like that,” complained the watchman. -“It’s bad for my rheumatism. I don’t suppose that -bothers you.”</p> - -<p>“Not yet,” said Tom with a laugh, as he prepared -to climb the stairs to Mr. Keen’s office, the -elevator having stopped running.</p> - -<p>He found a light burning in the outer room, -where the telephone switchboard was, but Mr. -Keen’s apartment was in darkness.</p> - -<p>“He must be out,” thought Tom. “Well, I’ll -leave the papers on his desk. But there’s a light -in Mr. Cutler’s office. Maybe he’s in there.”</p> - -<p>He started toward the door, but, before he -could reach it the portal opened, and Mr. Cutler -came out.</p> - -<p>“What are you doing here?” he asked Tom -sharply. “You have no right in here after office -hours.”</p> - -<p>“I have been on an errand for Mr. Keen,” replied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span> -Tom. “He told me to leave the answer on -his desk.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke he heard a noise of papers rattling -in Mr. Cutler’s room, and he knew the lawyer -must have a visitor. Mr. Cutler’s manner was -strange. He seemed much annoyed at beholding -Tom.</p> - -<p>“Well,” he said, “leave the papers and then go -home. We don’t want the office boys around here -after hours.”</p> - -<p>He turned to go back into his office, and, as -he did so, the door swung more fully open. Tom -caught a glimpse of a man, and, an instant later -he saw that Mr. Cutler’s visitor was none other -than Barton Sandow. Dr. Spidderkins’ brother-in-law -uttered an exclamation, as he caught sight -of Tom, and then the lawyer hastily closed the -door, from behind which came the murmur of -voices in eager, earnest conversation.</p> - -<p>“He’ll never suspect anything,” he heard Mr. -Cutler say.</p> - -<p>“Hush!” cautioned Mr. Sandow. “He’s altogether -too smart!”</p> - -<p>“I hope I can prove too smart for you,” thought -Tom, as he laid the papers on Mr. Keen’s desk. -“There’s some funny business going on in this -office and I think it has to do with the doctor. -I’ll keep my eyes open.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br /> - -<small>AN ODD CLIENT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">That</span> night, when Tom got to bed, he thought -so intently about what had happened, that he could -hardly sleep. He tried to outline some plan, by -which he might get at the bottom of the mystery -that seemed to be developing, but he could concoct -none that appeared satisfactory.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure of one or two things,” he said to -himself. “One is that Sandow doesn’t like me, -and, I believe he’s a little bit afraid of what he -thinks I know. Another is that Mr. Cutler doesn’t -like me, but he isn’t alarmed that I know anything. -He’d have me discharged if he could. And another -thing is that Sandow and Cutler are in with -each other. And the last thing is that it has to -do with the estate of Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“But I don’t see what I can do. I don’t know -anything about law, and if I spoke to Mr. Boise, -Cutler might make it appear that everything was -all right, and I would only be laughed at. No, -I’ll lay low for a while yet.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span>“Well, Tom,” said Mr. Keen the next morning, -“I see you got the papers all right. I found -them on my desk, when I came in. But you should -not have opened the envelope they were in. Some -of them might have been lost.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t open the envelope.”</p> - -<p>“You didn’t? Why, I found it open on my -desk.”</p> - -<p>“It was closed when I left it there.”</p> - -<p>“That’s odd,” remarked Mr. Keen in a low -voice, but he did not in the least doubt Tom’s -word. “Was there any one in the office but yourself?” -he asked. “Maybe the envelope fell to the -floor off my desk, and, being quite full, burst open. -The janitor may have picked it up.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Cutler was in his room, when I came back -last night,” replied Tom. “He had some one with -him. But I don’t believe the envelope could have -fallen off your desk. I placed it right in the -middle.”</p> - -<p>“Strange how it could have come open then,” -went on Mr. Keen. “It looks as if the envelope -was opened, and then sealed up again, but not -securely. Well, it doesn’t matter much.”</p> - -<p>But Tom could see that the lawyer was annoyed -by the incident, though the telephone boy -was glad there was no hint of suspicion against -himself.</p> - -<p>At the same time, there came into Tom’s mind,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span> -a vague suspicion against Mr. Cutler. Yet, what -object would that lawyer have in opening the -envelope containing papers in a case, which, presumably, -all the partners knew about?</p> - -<p>“Or could it have been Sandow?” thought Tom. -“He might have sneaked in and opened the envelope, -when Cutler left him alone for a minute. -That Sandow is a sneak, I believe. I have proof -enough of that in the way he tried to make me believe -that mysterious message I heard him give -Cutler didn’t amount to anything.”</p> - -<p>But Tom had little more time for thought that -morning, as the switchboard kept him almost constantly -engaged. The firm had several important -cases to attend to, and inquiries and messages concerning -them were constantly coming in.</p> - -<p>“Whew! My ear aches!” exclaimed Tom to -himself, after an hour during which he had been -engaged in putting plugs in, taking them out, -shifting cams and pressing buttons. “This sort of -life is lively enough, at times, to suit almost any -one. But I guess I’ll have a chance now to look -at my law book.”</p> - -<p>For Tom still stuck to the resolution he had -made, to “read law” during his spare moments. -He was looking intently at the book, yet alert for -any telephone call that might come in, when he -became aware that a stranger had entered the -office. He looked up to see a man, evidently a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span> -farmer in his “Sunday” clothes, standing beside -the telephone desk.</p> - -<p>“Is my case ready?” asked the man, evidently -taking it for granted that Tom was either a member -of the firm, or, at least, must keep track of all -the cases.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” the boy answered politely. -“What is the name, please, and who did you -want to see?”</p> - -<p>“Wa’al, I reckon I want to see Boise, Keen & -Cutler. That’s the way all the letters is signed -that I git. Which one be you?”</p> - -<p>“None of them,” answered Tom, with a smile. -“But if you tell me which member of the firm you -wish to see I’ll inquire about your case for you.”</p> - -<p>“Wa’al, I’m switched if I know. Jest as I say, -all the letters was signed with the hull three -names.”</p> - -<p>“Were there any initial under the name?” inquired -Tom, for it was the practice of the firm to -sign the names of all three partners, together with -the first letter of the name of whichever particular -lawyer happened to dictate the letter.</p> - -<p>“Here, look for yourself,” invited the farmer, -holding out a missive. “That’s the last one I got, -an’ it says my case was comin’ off to-day.”</p> - -<p>Tom looked at the letter. It was one concerning -a lawsuit over some water-rights on a farm, -and from the fact that the letter “B” was below<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span> -the firm signature, the boy concluded that Mr. -Boise had written it.</p> - -<p>“I guess you want to see the senior partner, Mr. -Boise,” said Tom. “Take a chair, Mr. Kendall, -and I’ll find out when he can see you.”</p> - -<p>“How’d you know my name was Kendall?” -asked the odd client sharply. “You ain’t one of -them gold-brick swindlers, be ye? I understand -they call a man by his name as soon as they set -eyes on him.”</p> - -<p>“I saw your name at the top of this letter,” replied -the boy, handing the missive back.</p> - -<p>Then, when the farmer was carefully stowing -the letter away in his wallet, Tom quietly slipped -a plug into the hole connecting with the ’phone -in the room of Mr. Boise, and asked when the -lawyer could see Mr. Kendall.</p> - -<p>“Send him in in five minutes,” came back the -answer.</p> - -<p>By this time the farmer had buttoned his coat -over his pocketbook, and he looked up at Tom.</p> - -<p>“Wa’al, when ye goin’ to do it?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Do what?”</p> - -<p>“Ye said ye’d find out when the head lawyer -would see me.”</p> - -<p>“So I did. He’ll see you in five minutes.”</p> - -<p>“Look a-here, young man!” exclaimed Mr. Kendall. -“Don’t try none of them tricks. I’m sharp, -even if I do come from the country.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span>“What tricks?” asked Tom innocently, for he -was not aware that he had done anything out of -the ordinary.</p> - -<p>“Why, you said you’d go see when the lawyer -would see me. Now you say he’ll see me in five -minutes. You may be one of them new-fangled -mind-readers I’ve heard tell about, but I don’t believe -it. I don’t take no stock in it. Now you -go find out when the lawyer will see me. My -time’s valuable, for I’ve got a lot of work to do, -out at the farm.”</p> - -<p>“I did find out, Mr. Kendall. Mr. Boise will -see you in five minutes.”</p> - -<p>“Hold on thar!” exclaimed the farmer. “You -can’t fool me. I’ve watched you every minute, -an’ you ain’t left your chair sence I come in. All -you’ve been doin’ is play with them there cords. -Now you git right up an’ find out when Mr. Boise -will see me! I ain’t so green as I look.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I see!” exclaimed Tom, comprehending. -“You see, I telephoned to him.”</p> - -<p>“Telephoned to him? You can’t fool me that -way. I know what a telephone is. We’ve got -’em out our way, an’ a bell rings when you telephone. -Besides, there ain’t no telephone here, and -who ever heard of telephonin’ from one room to -another?”</p> - -<p>“But you see this is a private exchange switchboard,” -explained Tom, and he told how it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span> -possible to speak to a lawyer in the next room, -without leaving his seat. He made it quite clear to -the farmer.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I understand,” said Mr. Kendall. “I’m -sorry I made such a fuss about it, ’specially when -you ain’t well. Did you see a doctor about it?”</p> - -<p>“About what?” asked the boy, wondering what -new notion the farmer had.</p> - -<p>“About your ear ache. I see you have to wear -some instrument on yer head. I had a nephew -once that had ear ache dreadful bad. We done -everything for him, blew smoke into it, put bags -of hot pepper in, but it didn’t do no good. Then -I poured some hot sweet oil in, and that worked -fine. Ever try it?”</p> - -<p>“But I have no ear ache.”</p> - -<p>“You ain’t? Then what ye got that contraption -on yer head for?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, that’s the telephone receiver. I have it -clamped over my ear so I will have both hands -free to use on the plugs.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!” remarked Mr. Kendall. “I wondered -what in the world it was for. Suthin’ like blinders -on a hoss.”</p> - -<p>Just then one of the drops fell, and Tom, inserting -a plug, heard Mr. Boise speaking to him.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see Mr. Kendall now,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Boise will attend to your case now,” repeated -Tom to the farmer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span>“Wa’al, I’ll be switched, ef that ain’t quite an -invention,” exclaimed the farmer, as he arose to -go into the inner office. “I never heard of telephonin’ -to a man twenty feet from ye. Next thing -they’ll be havin’ flyin’ machines t’ go from one -room t’ another.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII<br /> - -<small>A MEAN PLOT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> farmer chuckled at his joke, as he passed -into the apartments of Mr. Boise, whence, presently, -his voice could be heard discussing his case.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t care for many clients like him,” -thought Tom, “though he meant well enough. I’d -have to explain too much to them.”</p> - -<p>He resumed his perusal of the law book, until -a drop of one of the black disks told him some one -from outside wished to talk to a member of the -firm. The call was for Mr. Cutler, and, when he -had made the connection Tom threw up the cam, -so that he could not hear what was being said.</p> - -<p>For, several times of late, the junior partner -had accused the telephone boy of listening to the -conversations that went on over the wire.</p> - -<p>“I’ll not give him a chance this time,” thought -Tom.</p> - -<p>A little later he received a call from the central -girl operator. One of the trunk lines did not -work just right, and the girl wanted Tom to test<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span> -it, before a man was sent out to repair it. The -young lady was a pleasant-voiced one, and, before -he knew it, Tom was exchanging a few jokes with -her.</p> - -<p>She suggested how he himself might get the wire -to work better, by making a little adjustment to -the switchboard, and he did so.</p> - -<p>“How’s that?” he asked. “Can you hear me any -better?”</p> - -<p>“Much better,” she replied. “You ought to go -into the telephone business.”</p> - -<p>Then, whether it was something he unconsciously -did to the switchboard, or whether the central -operator made some unusual connection, Tom -never knew. At any rate he found he was “cut -in” on the wire over which Mr. Cutler was talking.</p> - -<p>And, as Tom listened for a moment, not meaning -to, he became aware that the man on the other -end of the wire was Barton Sandow. And what -he said was this:</p> - -<p>“I’m almost ready to do the trick now. I have -the papers safe.”</p> - -<p>Then there came a buzzing on the wire, and -Tom heard no more, but he had listened to enough -to understand that whatever game there was between -Sandow and the junior partner was still -being carried on.</p> - -<p>“I want to test that other wire,” came the voice -of the central girl, a moment later, and Tom, at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span> -her request “gave her a ring,” that is, he depressed -the button which flashed a tiny electric light on the -switchboard at which she sat in the distant central -office.</p> - -<p>“That’s all right,” she announced. “Good-by.”</p> - -<p>“I believe I’d like to meet that girl,” thought -Tom. “If it wasn’t against the rules for her to -talk to me, except on business, I’d ask her name. -I’ve almost a good notion to do it anyhow. But -I don’t want to get her into trouble. I must ask -Charley Grove what would happen in case a supervisor -overheard her talking to me just for fun.”</p> - -<p>He was interrupted in his pleasant thoughts by -the necessity of disconnecting Mr. Cutler’s ’phone, -as the drop of a disk indicated that the lawyer -was through talking. Then a door opened and -Mr. Boise and Mr. Kendall came out into the main -office.</p> - -<p>“Wa’al, I’ll do jest as you say, of course, Mr. -Boise,” the farmer was saying, in his loud voice. -“If you think it’s best to let my neighbor Simpson -start to tear out that dam, an’ then git an injunction, -I’m willin’ to do it. Only I’d stop him with -a gun, if I had my way.”</p> - -<p>“No; if you leave the matter in our hands, you -must do as we say,” insisted Mr. Boise. “But -don’t let it be known that you are going to let -him start to destroy the dam that holds back the -water. In fact don’t mention it anywhere. I’d<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span> -rather you wouldn’t have spoken of it here, as you -never know who will hear what you will say, and, -if this got out, it might lose you your case.”</p> - -<p>“Is that so? I didn’t mean to speak so loud. -But I guess your telephone boy won’t tell, will he?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no,” answered Mr. Boise with a smile. -“We trust Tom, but it’s best to be on the safe -side.”</p> - -<p>Tom was grateful for this mark of confidence. -As he turned in his chair, to pick up his bookmark -that had fallen to the floor, he caught sight of Mr. -Cutler’s door. It was partly open and the lawyer -was peering out, looking at the farmer and Mr. -Boise. As he saw Tom’s eyes turned toward him, -the junior partner quickly closed the portal.</p> - -<p>“He was listening,” thought Tom. “I’m getting -more and more suspicious of him every day. -Yet, perhaps, I have no right to be.”</p> - -<p>But if Tom could have overheard what was -said between the young lawyer and Barton Sandow -that night, when the two met in a certain cafe -near Scollay Square he would have had more cause -than ever for his suspicions.</p> - -<p>“Do you think it will work?” Sandow asked, -after the two had conversed at some length.</p> - -<p>“It’s bound to. I’ll telephone when Tom is out -at lunch. One of the clerks is left in charge, and -I can easily get rid of him for a few minutes, on -some excuse.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span>“But can you imitate his voice?”</p> - -<p>“Whose? Tom’s? Oh, well enough. Kittridge, -the lawyer who has the other side of the -Kendall case, doesn’t know my voice, and he -doesn’t know Tom in the least. I’ll pretend I’m -the office boy, and that I have a grudge against -the firm, because they won’t raise my wages. All -Kittridge needs is a tip about the dam, and he -can win the case. Kendall will lose it, and then -I’ll casually suggest to Boise that there must have -been a leak somewhere. There’ll be an inquiry, -and Tom will be discharged. Then we can proceed -without having him sneaking in on us, at -every chance he gets.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it will be easier with him out of the way. -The old doctor has taken quite a notion to him. -But he’s so forgetful everything ought to be easy.”</p> - -<p>“Did you bring the papers?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; here they are. He left them in his study -under a book, but, as there are five hundred books -there he’ll have a task to remember under which -one they were put. He can’t remember, and, before -he can do anything to protect himself, the -property will be disposed of, and you’ll have your -share.”</p> - -<p>“Not so loud,” cautioned Elias Cutler, looking -around apprehensively. “Some one might hear -you.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span>“Why, you’re not afraid, are you?”</p> - -<p>“No—not exactly, as everything is safe, but be -careful, Barton.”</p> - -<p>“If we get rid of Tom Baldwin we’ll have nothing -more to fear, as neither Boise nor Keen suspect -that we have anything to do with each other; do -they?” asked Mr. Sandow.</p> - -<p>“Not in the least. If they did—well, I know -I’d be looking for another position.”</p> - -<p>The two conversed for some time further, and -then prepared to separate.</p> - -<p>“When will you work the trick?” asked Mr. -Sandow.</p> - -<p>“As soon as possible. To-morrow, if I get a -chance.”</p> - -<p>It was several days after this that, one afternoon, -Mr. Boise came into the office from the -court house, where he had been all day, trying a -case.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” inquired Mr. Keen, of -his partner. “You look annoyed.”</p> - -<p>“And I have good cause to be,” replied the -lawyer. “I lost the Kendall case.”</p> - -<p>“What! That one where the old farmer was -mixed up in some action over water-rights and a -dam?”</p> - -<p>“That’s it. I had a good case, and we were -going to apply for an injunction as soon as Simpson,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span> -who is the party Kendall had the dispute with, -started to cut the dam. But, it seems Simpson’s -lawyer, Amos Kittridge, got wind of the affair. -He knew what we were going to do, and he took -action that caused our case to be thrown out of -court. My client, Mr. Kendall lost, and he is -very angry about it.”</p> - -<p>“How do you suppose Kittridge learned of your -side of the case?” asked Mr. Keen, while Tom -listened anxiously.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. He’s a trickster, but when he -won he laughed at me, and as much as hinted that -the leak came from this office.”</p> - -<p>“From this office?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. He advised me to pay my help better, -then they wouldn’t be dissatisfied, and give away -the details of our cases. I tell you, Mr. Keen, -this is a serious matter, and I am going to have -an investigation. I want to see all the clerks in my -office. Some news went out of here that shouldn’t -have gone, and it lost us the case. It was given -over the telephone, Kittridge as much as said. -Tom, I shall have to question you. Do not go -home this afternoon, until I have seen you. Kittridge -is a trickster, and a sneak, but what he did -is legal, though it is not right. But if I find out -who gave him the tip, it will go hard with him!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Boise looked sterner than Tom had ever<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span> -seen him before, and the telephone boy, though -he knew he had had nothing to do with the matter, -felt a little apprehensive.</p> - -<p>“If some one used this telephone to talk to Mr. -Kittridge with,” mused Tom, “it may involve me.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> - -<small>TOM IS ACCUSED</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Send</span> the clerks into my office,” said Mr. Boise -to Mr. Keen, as he passed into his own apartment. -“We’ll sift this matter to the bottom.”</p> - -<p>One by one the clerks passed into the room of -the senior partner. Low but earnest voices could -be heard from behind the closed door. Several -telephone inquiries came for Mr. Boise, but Tom -had been instructed to turn the clients over to Mr. -Keen, as Mr. Cutler was out.</p> - -<p>One by one the clerks came from the room of -Mr. Boise. They looked worried, but not guilty, -and all, evidently, had succeeded in proving to the -satisfaction of their employer that they, at least, -were not guilty of betraying the firm’s secret.</p> - -<p>As the last clerk emerged, Mr. Cutler came into -the office. He seemed quite excited over something, -and, as Mr. Boise came from his room at -that moment, the two members of the firm met.</p> - -<p>“I hear you lost the Kendall case,” began Mr. -Cutler.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span>“Yes, I——”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you know how it came about,” interrupted -the junior partner, with a vindictive glance -at Tom.</p> - -<p>“That is what I have been trying to find out.”</p> - -<p>“I think I can tell you.”</p> - -<p>“You? What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“I mean that the secret of the injunction about -the dam was betrayed by some one in this office.”</p> - -<p>“I fear as much, but I have been unable to discover -who mentioned it, unless one of us three -partners did so,” added Mr. Boise with a smile.</p> - -<p>Cutler started. Then he said:</p> - -<p>“I fancy if you were to ask the telephone boy -about it he might be able to tell something.”</p> - -<p>“The telephone boy? Tom? Do you mean -him?”</p> - -<p>“That’s who I mean!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler -sharply.</p> - -<p>“I never said a word over the telephone, or in -any other way about this Kendall suit, or any -other!” exclaimed Tom indignantly. “I never talk -about the firm’s business outside!”</p> - -<p>“No?” remarked Mr. Cutler sneeringly. -“Then how did it happen that I heard you calling -up Kittridge’s office the other day?”</p> - -<p>“Calling up Mr. Kittridge’s office?” repeated -Tom. Then he remembered that Mr. Boise had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span> -had that lawyer on the wire, refusing a postponement -of the case. He told the circumstances.</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is so,” acknowledged Mr. Boise. -“But why do you accuse Tom, Mr. Cutler?” and -he looked sharply at the junior partner.</p> - -<p>“Because of something I overheard between Kittridge -and one of his clerks.”</p> - -<p>“What was that?”</p> - -<p>“I just came from the court house,” went on -Mr. Cutler. “I heard you had lost your case, and -I saw Kittridge and his clerk laughing over their -success. Then I overheard Kittridge say: ‘We -never would have won the case, but for a tip -Boise’s office boy gave me. He called me up, and -said he had a grudge against the firm because they -wouldn’t raise his wages, and then he let out about -the injunction.’ That’s what Kittridge said.”</p> - -<p>“That’s not so!” cried Tom indignantly. “I -never spoke to Mr. Kittridge, over the telephone, -or otherwise, in my life; I merely got his office -once on the wire for Mr. Boise.”</p> - -<p>“I know what I’m talking about!” declared -Mr. Cutler. “I say you gave this fact to Kittridge, -and I can prove it. You are responsible for -this leak, and I think you had better discharge him, -Mr. Boise, and get a boy we can trust. He used -to listen to persons talking to me, until I put a stop -to it.”</p> - -<p>“I never listened unless it was absolutely necessary,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span> -in order to put some other party on your -wire!” said Tom hotly.</p> - -<p>“I think you had better discharge him,” went -on the junior partner. “I know where we can get -a boy we can depend on.”</p> - -<p>“This is a serious accusation,” said Mr. Boise -slowly. “Are you—pardon me—are you sure of -your facts, Mr. Cutler?”</p> - -<p>“Positive. Why, ask Kittridge.”</p> - -<p>“No; I would not like to do that. I would not -want to let him know we have some one here we -can not trust,” but, though he spoke sadly, Mr. -Boise did not look accusingly at Tom. “I have -another plan,” the senior partner went on. “I will -ask the telephone company to make an investigation. -They keep a record of all calls, and they -can tell whether there were more than one call -for the Kittridge office within the last few days. -One I used myself. If there is another on the -record——”</p> - -<p>“It means that it was the one when the secret -of the case was given away,” interrupted Mr. -Cutler.</p> - -<p>“It does not absolutely prove it, however,” went -on Mr. Boise. “Some one may have called him -up from outside.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; but who knew about the plan to let Simpson -partly destroy the dam, so that an injunction -might be secured?” asked Mr. Cutler.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span>“Well, unfortunately, Mr. Kendall mentioned it -aloud in the office here one day,” admitted Mr. -Boise. “I cautioned him to be careful, but he -spoke before I could prevent him. I don’t know -who heard him. There was no other clients in at -the time.”</p> - -<p>“No; but Tom was,” insisted the junior partner.</p> - -<p>“Yes; I heard Mr. Kendall’s remarks about the -dam,” admitted the telephone boy. “But I never -spoke to a soul about it. You were also in your -office at the time, Mr. Cutler,” he could not help -adding, “and your door was open.”</p> - -<p>“What! You dare accuse me?” cried the -lawyer. “The idea! The impudence. Boise, I -demand his discharge at once!”</p> - -<p>“Wait a minute,” spoke the senior partner -calmly, “I do not believe Tom meant to accuse -you of giving our secret away.”</p> - -<p>“No, sir,” put in Tom.</p> - -<p>“He only meant that other persons besides himself -heard what Mr. Kendall so foolishly said. -But I shall investigate this further. I will go to -the telephone company at once. Tom, remain here -until I return.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cutler, with a vindictive glance at the boy, -passed into his private office, and Tom, with a dull, -leaden feeling in his heart, saw Mr. Boise go out. -Our hero waited anxiously for what might happen -next.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX<br /> - -<small>A GIRL’S TESTIMONY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Mr. Boise had gone Tom sat at the -switchboard, but he had lost all interest, for the -present, in the law book. It was closed, and his -thoughts were all centered on the queer happenings -in which he was involved.</p> - -<p>It was getting rather late, and the building was -gradually becoming quiet, as the various tenants -passed out and closed up their offices.</p> - -<p>Tom wondered how long he would have to stay, -and whether he had better send some word to his -mother about the delay. Then he decided it would -be best not to. He might have to go home with -bad news soon enough—news that he had been -discharged—though he knew he was innocent, and -he hoped Mr. Boise would be able to prove this.</p> - -<p>Presently the door of Mr. Cutler’s room opened, -and that lawyer came out.</p> - -<p>“Has Mr. Boise returned yet?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Have all the clerks gone?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span>“I believe so.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cutler started into Mr. Keen’s room. He -looked in, to discover that his partner was not -there.</p> - -<p>“Has Mr. Keen gone home?” he inquired.</p> - -<p>“I believe so.”</p> - -<p>“Look here!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler suddenly, -coming close to Tom, “why don’t you get out of -here.”</p> - -<p>“Get out of here? What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“I mean before Mr. Boise returns. He’ll probably -find out exactly what you did, and then he’ll -discharge you. If you go now, he’ll not have the -opportunity, and you’ll stand a better chance of -getting another place.”</p> - -<p>“Why, that would be running away!” exclaimed -Tom indignantly. “That would be like admitting -I was guilty.”</p> - -<p>“Well, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, come now,” went on Mr. Cutler, in a more -friendly tone than he had ever before used toward -Tom. “I think I know all about how it happened. -You felt a little grieved—perhaps because I have -scolded you once or twice. You wanted to get -even, and, when you heard that conversation about -the dam, you determined to mention it to the -lawyer on the other side. Of course, it was very -wrong, but I don’t believe you’ll do it again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span>“I want to help you, even if you did wrong. -Now I’m advising you for your own good. You -can leave now, and I’ll tell Mr. Boise you are -sorry for what you did. He’ll forgive you, I’m -sure. I’ll even help you get another job.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean you think me guilty, yet you -would help me get another position like this?” -asked Tom, determined to see how far Cutler -would go.</p> - -<p>“Well—er—maybe not a place like this, in a -law office, for they would be sure to ask questions. -But I’d get you a good place. Come, now, you’d -better leave before Mr. Boise gets back with the -proof of your guilt.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t see how he can get proof of my guilt, -when I am not guilty.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I understand all about that,” went on the -lawyer, earnestly, as though he was anxious to -hurry Tom to a decision. “I was young once myself. -You acted hastily. I think I can explain it -to Mr. Boise.”</p> - -<p>“No!” exclaimed Tom indignantly. “I’ll not -run away! I never sent that message, and Mr. -Boise will be so informed at the telephone office. -Why, if I went now he would have every reason -to think me guilty!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ve done my best for you,” answered -the lawyer, as he turned impatiently aside.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span> -“When you’re discharged, and looking for a place, -don’t blame me. It’s your own fault.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll not blame you,” spoke Tom. “I’m not -afraid of the consequences. I trust Mr. Boise. -He’ll not discharge me unjustly. But if he does, -perhaps I can get a place with Dr. Spidderkins,” -he said, as a sudden thought came to him.</p> - -<p>“Dr. Spidderkins! What sort of a place can -you get with him? He doesn’t practice any -more?”</p> - -<p>The lawyer seemed strangely excited.</p> - -<p>“I know that,” replied Tom, “but perhaps he -would be glad to hire me to help look after his -estate. I understand he has quite a large one, and -that his brother-in-law would like to get possession -of it.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that? What are you saying?” demanded -Mr. Cutler almost shouting the words, as -he started toward Tom, as though he would strike -him. “Are you making threats—you—you——”</p> - -<p>He seemed to be so angry, or so alarmed, that -he could not speak. Before Tom could make -reply, or the lawyer ask any more questions, the -door opened and Mr. Boise entered.</p> - -<p>The senior partner of the firm was not alone. -Behind him stood a pretty girl, who glanced -around the office and then frankly smiled at Tom. -He thought she was the prettiest girl he had ever -seen.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span>“Well, I suppose you found out that I was -right about it; did you not?” asked Mr. Cutler.</p> - -<p>“Not exactly,” replied the senior partner. -“There were two messages sent from this office, -lately, to Mr. Kittridge.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, I thought so,” murmured Mr. Cutler, -while Tom was wondering what the pretty girl -could have to do with the case.</p> - -<p>“One message was the one which I sent,” went -on Mr. Boise. “The other was sent the day before -the case came to trial. The manager of the -company looked up his records, and he made a -suggestion which I think will solve the problem.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?” asked Mr. Cutler, while he -glanced uneasily at the pretty girl.</p> - -<p>“It is this: The manager suggested that the -young lady in charge of that part of the switchboard -in the main office, where our wires are, -might remember something about it. He sent for -her, and I had a talk with her. She does remember -the two calls for the office of Kittridge, for -the reason that, at present his is the only telephone -on a particular circuit.”</p> - -<p>“But can she tell who called?” asked Mr. -Cutler.</p> - -<p>“Not exactly. I laid the case before her, and -she said she was sure of one thing.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>“That is that the person who is regularly at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span> -our switchboard did not call for the office of Kittridge -the second time.”</p> - -<p>“That’s nonsense!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler. -“How can she remember a person’s voice?”</p> - -<p>“You may ask her yourself,” said Mr. Boise, -as he turned to the pretty girl. “Allow me to introduce -to you Miss Minnie Renfield, who is the -young lady in charge of the trunk lines from our -office. Miss Renfield, just tell Mr. Cutler and -Tom, here, what you told me.”</p> - -<p>“I have been a central operator for a number -of years,” said Miss Renfield, with an engaging -smile. “I have a very good memory for voices. -After I hear a voice over the telephone once or -twice, I never forget it. Several of my friends -can do the same thing.</p> - -<p>“I know the voice of your private exchange -operator very well. I have had quite some conversation -with him lately, about one of the wires that -was out of order. I know his voice as soon as he -calls for a number.”</p> - -<p>Tom smiled. This, then, was the girl whom he -had wished to meet. He had his wish, now, but -he would have been glad had it been under happier -circumstances.</p> - -<p>“Do you mean to say that you can recognize -voices over the telephone?” demanded Mr. Cutler.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir; I can. I remember the two calls for -the Kittridge office. I have to make a note of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span> -every call, and those two were on a new wire, that -has recently been put in. The first call was made -by your regular operator, I am sure of that.”</p> - -<p>“That was the time I had Tom get Kittridge -for me, when I refused to consent to an adjournment,” -put in Mr. Boise.</p> - -<p>“But the second call? The call when the secret -was disclosed?” asked Mr. Cutler.</p> - -<p>“That was not made by your operator here,” -said Miss Renfield firmly.</p> - -<p>“Are you sure?” demanded the junior partner.</p> - -<p>“Quite sure. I recall wondering at the time -who was calling up. The call came in at one fifty-seven.”</p> - -<p>“This is preposterous!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler. -“No one can remember that!”</p> - -<p>“I made a record of it,” declared the young -lady. “It was exactly one fifty-seven.”</p> - -<p>“And that’s the time I was out to lunch!” exclaimed -Tom suddenly. “I was with my chum, -Charley Grove! He can prove it!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cutler looked confused. But he was not -going to give up yet.</p> - -<p>“I think this young lady means all right,” he -said, “but I doubt if she can so readily distinguish -voices over the wire. I believe she is in error. I -think Tom Baldwin sent that message.”</p> - -<p>“I believe I can prove that I am right, and that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span> -he did not,” answered Minnie Renfield, confidently. -“Will you allow me?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” answered Mr. Boise. “This is a -serious matter, and I want it cleared up.”</p> - -<p>“Then I am going to propose a little experiment,” -said the girl with a smile at Tom.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX<br /> - -<small>VINDICATION OF TOM</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> two lawyers and the telephone boy looked -curiously at Miss Renfield.</p> - -<p>“I am going out to some telephone,” she said. -“I will then call up the office, and each of you, -in turn, may speak to me over the wire. I am sure -I can tell exactly who is talking, though I am not -very familiar with this gentleman’s voice,” and she -looked at Mr. Cutler.</p> - -<p>“That is the junior member of our firm,” explained -Mr. Boise. “I think that will be a fair -experiment.”</p> - -<p>“I hope it will convince Mr. Cutler that I can -recognize voices over the wire,” went on the central -operator.</p> - -<p>“It ought to be easy to do that,” sneered Mr. -Cutler. “You know that only we three are here.”</p> - -<p>“You may bring in any other persons you -choose,” said Miss Renfield readily, “and, though -I may not be able to tell who they are, by name,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span> -I will be able to distinguish their voices from -yours.”</p> - -<p>“That will do,” assented Mr. Boise. “We are -ready for the test; eh, Tom?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” replied our hero, grateful to the -girl who had, so opportunely, come to his aid.</p> - -<p>Miss Renfield went out, and, in order to make -the experiment more certain, a couple of clerks -from a neighboring office, who happened to be -staying late, were called in. The real reason for -the experiment, however, was not explained to -them.</p> - -<p>Presently Miss Renfield called up. As there -were several branch telephones in the law office, at -Mr. Boise’s suggestion himself, his partner, Tom, -and the two clerks each took one, and Tom connected -them all on one central wire.</p> - -<p>“Now we are ready,” said Mr. Boise, over the -wire.</p> - -<p>“Oh, you are Mr. Boise,” exclaimed the girl. -“I would know your voice anywhere.”</p> - -<p>“That was easy enough to do,” spoke Mr. Cutler, -and he talked right into the telephone which -was before him, on his desk. Those engaged in -the experiment were in rooms opening from the -main one, where the switchboard was, and could -see each other.</p> - -<p>“That was Mr. Cutler,” came back Miss Renfield’s -tones, calmly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span>“Ah! She had you that time!” exclaimed Mr. -Boise.</p> - -<p>He motioned for one of the clerks to speak, and -the girl at once announced that a stranger was talking. -Then the senior partner nodded to Tom.</p> - -<p>“That’s the switchboard boy!” exclaimed the -girl, so that all heard her. “I know his name is -Tom, but I don’t know his last name.”</p> - -<p>“Baldwin,” answered our hero, blushing the -least bit. “I am much obliged to you.”</p> - -<p>The experiment was tried for some time longer, -but each time Miss Renfield was able to tell -whether one of the strange clerks, or Mr. Boise, -Tom, or Mr. Cutler was speaking.</p> - -<p>“I think that is proof enough,” remarked Mr. -Boise to her over the wire. “Come in, please.”</p> - -<p>The two clerks left, Mr. Boise thanking them -for their assistance, and Miss Renfield came back -to the office.</p> - -<p>“I am fully satisfied,” said the senior partner, -“that this young lady is right.”</p> - -<p>“Then you think Tom did not send that message?” -asked Elias Cutler.</p> - -<p>“I do not believe he did.”</p> - -<p>“Well, who is guilty, then?”</p> - -<p>“I can not say. I suppose you would not be -able to tell, if you heard the voice of every one -in my employ, which voice it was that talked the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span> -second time to the law office of Mr. Kittridge?” -he asked the girl.</p> - -<p>“Of course, she wouldn’t!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler -hastily. “That would be impossible. If she -could, it would be no evidence.”</p> - -<p>He seemed alarmed over something.</p> - -<p>“I would not like to make a decision regarding -a voice when such an important matter is involved,” -said the girl gravely. “I am not familiar -with some of the tones of your clerks, as they only -talk over the ’phone occasionally. But I could not -be mistaken in the voice of Tom Baldwin,” she -added, as she smiled once more at the boy whom -she had so completely vindicated.</p> - -<p>“I am glad of it,” remarked Mr. Boise. “I -never for a moment believed Tom guilty, but I -am glad his innocence is so firmly established. I -am afraid we shall not discover who sent the message, -but I am sure of one thing.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?” asked his partner quickly.</p> - -<p>“That whoever did it is an enemy of this firm—I -may say a traitor, for it was some one in this -office, of that I am positive. If I ever discover -who it was, I shall deal severely with him.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cutler turned aside and entered his office -without a word.</p> - -<p>“I believe I need detain you no longer, Tom,” -said Mr. Boise. “It is long after your regular -hour. I think we shall have to raise your salary<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span> -again, if we keep you working overtime like this,” -and he smiled at the boy.</p> - -<p>“I don’t mind staying,” said Tom genially, -“though of course if you’re going to give me more -money, I’ll not get out an injunction against you,” -and he laughed.</p> - -<p>“Ah, I see that you are coming on with your -study of the law,” commented his employer. -“Well, we’ll take the matter under advisement,” -he said, in the manner of a judge finishing up a -case, “and we will let you know later. Good-night. -Good-night, Miss Renfield.”</p> - -<p>Tom and the central girl walked out of the office -together.</p> - -<p>“I’m ever so much obliged to you,” said Tom, -as they went down in the elevator.</p> - -<p>“Oh, that’s nothing,” replied his companion, -whom Tom, stealing a look at now and then, -thought quite the prettiest girl he had ever seen. -It was the second time he had thought the same -thing that day.</p> - -<p>“So you are the young lady who told me how -to fix the cord and plug,” went on our hero.</p> - -<p>“Yes. You see I’ve been in the central office -for some years now, and I’m getting quite interested -in the work. I have a brother who is an -electrician, and he tells me lots about the instruments, -so I have more advantages than the other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span> -girls. I often fix my switchboard when it gets out -of order.”</p> - -<p>“You are quite talented.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, it comes natural to me. But, say, I didn’t -want to speak of it to Mr. Boise, but I have a suspicion -who sent that message.”</p> - -<p>“Who?” asked Tom quickly.</p> - -<p>“Well, I shouldn’t want you to repeat it, but -when that cross man—Mr. Cutler, I believe his -name is—when he was talking this afternoon, his -voice sounded a good deal like the one that sent -the second message to the Kittridge firm. I am not -positive enough of it to tell Mr. Boise so, for I -think Mr. Cutler tried to disguise his voice, but -I’d advise you to keep your eyes open.”</p> - -<p>“I will,” declared Tom. “I think he has a -grudge against me, because I found out something -about him. I’ll be on the watch, and the next -queer move he makes, I’ll tell Mr. Boise.”</p> - -<p>The two young people walked on together for -some distance farther, and Tom was glad to find -that the pretty girl lived quite near him.</p> - -<p>“I wish I could meet your brother,” he said. -“Perhaps he would tell me something about telephones, -so I could fix my switchboard if it got out -of order.”</p> - -<p>“Come around some evening, and I will introduce -you to him,” promised Miss Renfield, and -Tom earnestly said that he would make the call.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI<br /> - -<small>TOM TELLS HIS SUSPICIONS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Well</span>, Tom,” began the telephone boy’s -mother that evening, “how are you getting on at -the office? You haven’t told us much about it -lately, but I notice that you stay quite late at times. -They ought to give you more money for that.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps they will, mother. Mr. Boise said -this afternoon that he would think about raising -my wages again, though I now get more than do -other boys in places like mine.”</p> - -<p>“How are you coming on with your law work?” -inquired his aunt. “I wish you could soon begin -to practice. Some years ago I invested a little -money I had in some mining stock. I never -realized anything from it, and I believe I was -swindled. I wish you could sue the company. I -can’t afford to hire a lawyer, but if you are going -to be admitted to the bar, perhaps you could take -my case as the first one.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid it will be a good while before I can -practice law,” remarked Tom with a laugh. “But<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span> -when I do, Aunt Sallie, I’ll take your case without -a retainer.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you half of whatever you get from -the mining company, Tom.”</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll buy an automobile,” answered our -hero, with a laugh.</p> - -<p>He said nothing to the folks at home about what -had happened that afternoon, as he did not want -his mother and aunt to needlessly worry. Yet, -Tom was beginning to feel more and more that he -should tell some one his suspicions regarding Mr. -Cutler and Barton Sandow.</p> - -<p>Tom had a chance to speak of his suspicions the -following day. When he was at the switchboard -he heard some one ask for Mr. Cutler, and he -made the connection. He recognized the voice. -It was that of the man who had often spoken before -to the junior partner, and this unseen man, -Tom decided, was Barton Sandow.</p> - -<p>The message was a brief one, and, under the -circumstances Tom felt justified in listening to it.</p> - -<p>“I will call you up there to-night,” said the person -whom the telephone boy believed was the -rascally brother-in-law of Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be here,” replied Mr. Cutler. “Make it -about midnight, and we’ll not be disturbed, and no -fresh central girl will listen to our talk. Get the -rest of the papers to-day, and we’ll wind up the -matter.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span>“So, the game is almost over,” mused Tom, as -he pulled out the plugs, for the two had finished -talking. “I think I had now better tell Mr. Boise -my suspicions.”</p> - -<p>He did so after office hours that afternoon, -when the senior partner was alone in his room, and -the clerks had gone home. Tom related the incident -of the first mysterious message he had heard, -how Barton Sandow had tried to make him believe -it was of no importance, and how he had -seen Sandow and the junior partner in consultation -one night at the office.</p> - -<p>“And you think they are trying to swindle Dr. -Spidderkins out of his estate?” asked Mr. Boise -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“That is my suspicion. And I think that Mr. -Crawford Leeth is also mixed up in it. I saw Sandow -at his office one night.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you are right, Tom. It is not a very -nice thing to have to confess, but I have, for some -time, been suspicious of Mr. Cutler. I am sorry -I admitted him to partnership in our firm. He -was a sharp young lawyer, and I thought he would -do good work, but he seems constantly planning -and scheming. I think he knows more about the -leak regarding the Kendall suit than he would be -willing to admit.”</p> - -<p>“I believe so, too,” agreed Tom. “What do -you think we had better do?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span>“You say that Sandow agreed to call him up -to-night?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; about midnight. I think Mr. Cutler is -coming here then.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; he is. He spoke to me about it, saying he -wanted to prepare some papers in a case he had to -try to-morrow. I thought nothing of that, as he -frequently comes here nights. Perhaps he has -often met Sandow here.”</p> - -<p>“I know he did once,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p>“Desperate cases require desperate treatment,” -spoke Mr. Boise musingly. “Tom, I am going to -have you do something, which, if we were dealing -with different people I would not like to ask -of you. But I want to find out whether or not -Mr. Cutler is involved with Sandow in robbing -Dr. Spidderkins. The only way I can do this is -to know what goes on between them to-night. If -you, or I, could hear what is said over the -telephone——”</p> - -<p>“I think I can fix that!” exclaimed Tom. “I -can so connect up the switchboard that I can conceal -myself in one of the rooms here, and hear -whatever is said.”</p> - -<p>“That will be a good plan. You have my permission -to do so.”</p> - -<p>They talked the matter over at some length, and -finally it was arranged that Tom should go home, -get his supper, and then return to the office. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span> -would station himself in one of the clerk’s rooms, -furthest away from the apartment where the -switchboard was located.</p> - -<p>Then, when Sandow called up the suspected -lawyer, the telephone boy could listen to what was -said. He hoped to hear enough to enable him to -expose the two plotters.</p> - -<p>“I shall be late again to-night,” said Tom to -his mother when he went home to supper.</p> - -<p>“Late again, Tom? Why, what is the matter?”</p> - -<p>“Well, we have some legal business to attend -to.”</p> - -<p>“Has it anything to do with my mining shares?” -inquired his aunt.</p> - -<p>“No; but if this goes through, they may make -me a partner in the firm, and then I’ll take your -case.”</p> - -<p>All three laughed, for the little family was in -better shape financially than it had been for some -time. Tom’s wages went a long way toward supporting -the two lonely women, and, with what sewing -Mrs. Baldwin and her sister could do, they -had no fears, at least for the present.</p> - -<p>In accordance with the plan he and Mr. Boise -had made, Tom concealed himself in the clerk’s -room about ten o’clock. He wanted to be in plenty -of time.</p> - -<p>The big office building was deserted, except for -the watchman, and there was no noise, save his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span> -footsteps as he went from floor to floor, ascertaining -that everything was all right. Gradually it -became more silent down in the street, as the traffic -grew less.</p> - -<p>“I hope he comes,” thought Tom, as he sat in -a chair in a dark corner, the branch telephone -ready to his hand.</p> - -<p>Midnight struck on a distant church bell. Tom, -who caught himself nodding, sat up with a start. -Surely that was a noise of some one coming along -the corridor. It might be the watchman. No, -it was some one coming into the law offices.</p> - -<p>Tom heard a key inserted in a lock. Then some -one entered. There was the click of an electric-light -switch being turned on, and then Tom knew -Mr. Cutler had kept the appointment.</p> - -<p>The boy, drawing back farther into the shadow, -heard the lawyer going from room to room. Evidently -he was taking no chances on being discovered.</p> - -<p>“I wonder if he’ll come in here,” thought Tom. -He got up from the chair, and silently hid behind -a big filing cabinet. And not a moment too soon, -for, the next instant, the door opened and Mr. Cutler -came in, turning on a light as he did so.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII<br /> - -<small>THE MISSING PAPERS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tom</span> hardly breathed, fearful lest he might be -discovered. But the lawyer was apparently satisfied -with casually looking into the room, for, in a -moment, he had turned out the light and Tom -heard him going back to the main apartment.</p> - -<p>“Now to listen to what they say,” thought the -telephone boy. “I hope Sandow calls him up.”</p> - -<p>No sooner had he spoken than he heard from -outside, the buzz which told that one of the disk -signals had fallen. Tom had purposely left the -buzzing arrangement on, so that he might know -when the call came in.</p> - -<p>“There it is,” he went on. But it did not continue -long for Mr. Cutler shifted the lever controlling -it, and the buzzing ceased. The lawyer -knew how to operate the switchboard.</p> - -<p>Tom softly lifted the receiver from the hook of -the instrument at his side. He did it carefully -in order that the click, which always takes place -when this is done, might sound as softly as possible<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span> -in the listening ear of Mr. Cutler. Then -Tom heard voices in conversation, and he knew -that the two plotters were making their plans. He -listened intently.</p> - -<p>“Is everything ready?” he heard the lawyer ask.</p> - -<p>“Everything,” was Sandow’s reply. “I got him -to sign the deeds and mortgages this afternoon. -He didn’t realize what they were. I told him they -were some orders for books he had purchased, and -he is so forgetful that he believed me. He is getting -worse every day.”</p> - -<p>“All the better for our purpose then. Well, if -you have all the papers signed, send them to me -at this office to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“What will that mean?” asked Sandow, who -knew little about law.</p> - -<p>“It will mean that the property will belong to -your wife and you—after I have attached my signature -as witnessing that of Dr. Spidderkins. But -of course, I get my share or——”</p> - -<p>“Of course, you will,” Sandow hastened to -assure his fellow-schemer. “I’ll do just as I -promised.”</p> - -<p>“You’d better,” announced Cutler grimly, “or -I could have you held for fraudulently obtaining the -deeds and mortgages.”</p> - -<p>“What about yourself?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, a lawyer knows enough to look out for -himself. But everything will be all right.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span>“I hope that meddlesome boy doesn’t interfere -again,” Tom heard Sandow say. “Did you get -him discharged?”</p> - -<p>“No; my plan didn’t work. Boise brought in -a central girl, and she said it wasn’t Tom’s voice -that gave the secret away. I believe the little -witch suspected me. I’ll have to be careful. Now -don’t come here to see me, and don’t call me up. -I think Boise also suspects me, and I’ll have to go -slow. I guess that’s all now. Don’t forget to send -me the papers.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll not. I suppose it’s safe to talk over the -’phone this way.”</p> - -<p>“Of course. That’s why I selected this time. -There’s no one here, and that central girl is off -duty at night. Well, I guess——”</p> - -<p>At that instant Tom’s elbow accidentally touched -the receiver hook, and depressed it sufficiently to -produce a loud click in the instrument.</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” asked Barton Sandow, suddenly. -“Is some one listening on this telephone?”</p> - -<p>“No; I guess not,” answered the lawyer. “It -was only a click on the wire.”</p> - -<p>Tom smiled to himself, as he thought of how -the click had been produced.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll have to go now,” went on the -lawyer. “I guess we’ve arranged everything. -Don’t forget the papers.”</p> - -<p>Then came another click, which told that Sandow<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span> -had hung up his receiver. A little later Tom -heard the office door close behind Cutler.</p> - -<p>“He’s gone,” the boy thought, “but I guess I -heard enough. This settles the case. I wish it -was morning, so I could tell Mr. Boise. I wonder -what he’ll do?”</p> - -<p>In accordance with the plan, made the night before, -the senior partner of the law firm came to his -office very early the next morning. Tom was there -waiting for him, and none of the clerks, nor the -other two partners, had arrived.</p> - -<p>“Well, Tom?” asked Mr. Boise anxiously, and -our hero told all that he had heard.</p> - -<p>“Too bad! Too bad!” murmured Mr. Boise. -“Cutler is a bright young man. I am sorry to see -him going wrong. Well, there is no help for it; -I must expose him. You say Sandow is to send -some papers to him this morning?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Then we must intercept them. Watch all the -mail that comes for him, and bring it to me. I -will arrange to send him to the court house to look -up some records, so he will be out of the way.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Cutler seemed quite surprised when, as he -came in a little later, he was told by Mr. Boise -to go to the surrogate’s office, to see about a certain -will.</p> - -<p>“But I have some matters here that require my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span> -attention,” he objected. “Can’t one of the clerks -go? I——”</p> - -<p>“It is a very particular matter,” replied Mr. -Boise somewhat stiffly. “I prefer to have you -do it.”</p> - -<p>“Very well,” answered the junior partner. “Is -there any mail for me?” he asked of Tom, for -the postman used to lay all the letters on the telephone -table, whence, after Tom had sorted them, -a messenger boy distributed them to the different -offices.</p> - -<p>“No, sir,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p>“If any comes have it at once put in my desk,” -went on Mr. Cutler, “and see that it is not disturbed. -I am expecting some important letters.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; I guess they are important,” thought -Tom.</p> - -<p>With no very good grace Mr. Cutler left the -office to go to the court house. He had not been -gone more than an hour before a special messenger -left a bulky package for him.</p> - -<p>“These must be the deeds and mortgages, secured -from Dr. Spidderkins by that rascally Sandow,” -thought Tom, as he left the switchboard for -a moment, to take them to Mr. Boise.</p> - -<p>“You had better remain here, Tom,” said the -senior lawyer. “I may want you to go to see Dr. -Spidderkins. Tell Roscoe to take the switchboard -for a while.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span>Roscoe was the young clerk who relieved Tom -at noon.</p> - -<p>“Yes, these are the papers,” went on Mr. Boise, -when Tom had returned to his office. “Ah, to -what depths of depravity Cutler has sunk! He -would commit a serious crime in order to enrich -himself.”</p> - -<p>“Is it too late to save the property for Dr. Spidderkins?” -asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“No; fortunately you spoke in time. Had it -not been for you the doctor would have lost -nearly all he possessed. His sister-in-law seems to -be in the game also. Her name is on some of the -documents. Now I want you to hurry to the doctor’s -house. You must see him at once, and get -those papers which I sent to him by you, some -time ago. I will need them in arranging this -matter. Do not let Mrs. Sandow know what you -come for.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” said Tom as he started off. “Here -is where I get ahead of Sandow, and get even -with him for calling me a gutter-pup,” he added -to himself.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Sandow answered the door bell, as usual, -when Tom rang. Probably the old doctor, if he -ever heard it, forgot all about it as soon as the -echoes of the peals died away.</p> - -<p>“Well, what do you want?” asked the woman, -in a sharp tone, as she saw Tom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span>“I wish to see Dr. Spidderkins.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you can’t. He’s busy.”</p> - -<p>“But this is very important.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t help it. You can give me the message, -and I’ll tell him when I get a chance.”</p> - -<p>“I am sorry, but I can’t do that,” said Tom -firmly. “What I have to say is for the doctor -personally.” Then he had an idea. Raising his -voice, so it would penetrate down the long hall -to the doctor’s private library, the boy said: “If -I can’t see Dr. Spidderkins now, I’ll wait here -until I can.”</p> - -<p>He fairly shouted the doctor’s name.</p> - -<p>“Look here, you young rapscallion,” exclaimed -the woman, “do you think I’m deaf?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t know,” replied Tom, innocently, in -his ordinary tones. “I thought maybe you were.”</p> - -<p>But he had accomplished what he desired, for -the doctor, hearing his name called, had roused -himself long enough from poring over his books -to emerge from his room. He came toward the -front door.</p> - -<p>“Who called me?” he asked. “I was just reading -an account of the Marathon runner, who -brought the news of that great victory. It is in a -very rare volume, which I found yesterday on—Why, -bless my soul! If it isn’t the boy from the -book store. Let me see, I think I never paid you -that ten dollars. Very forgetful of me, I’m sure.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span> -Come right in, and I’ll get it. How is Mr. Townsend?”</p> - -<p>“I’m not there any more,” said Tom. “But you -paid the ten dollars all right. Don’t you remember, -I thought I had lost it?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, so you did. That was the night you -brought me the rare volume about—er—um—well, -really I have forgotten what it was about. -But I remember now, you are an electrician.”</p> - -<p>“Not quite,” said Tom, with a laugh, “but that’s -pretty near it. I’m a telephone boy, and I have a -message for you.”</p> - -<p>“A telephone message?”</p> - -<p>“Not exactly; though it’s about a telephone.”</p> - -<p>“Come right into my study,” went on the doctor. -“I was just reading a book on—why, bless -my soul, I’ve forgotten what it was about. Oh, my -wretched memory! I must try to be more careful.”</p> - -<p>He pulled out an easy chair for Tom, and then -stood in the middle of the room, looking about -him in some bewilderment.</p> - -<p>“What is the matter?” asked the boy.</p> - -<p>“Why—er—I have forgotten what we came -here for.”</p> - -<p>“I came here with a message for you.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. About a book.”</p> - -<p>“No; from your lawyer, Mr. Boise.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, yes. You are in a law office. I remember -now.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span>“It’s very important,” went on Tom, in a low -voice, approaching close to the aged physician. -“Perhaps I had better shut the door.”</p> - -<p>“No, no,” said the doctor. “Leave it open. If -it’s closed, she’ll sneak up, and listen at the key -hole. She’s—she’s a—a Tartar!” he exclaimed -softly. “She makes life miserable for me. I don’t -wonder my poor brother died. Come, we’ll go -into an inner room. Then she can’t hear us.”</p> - -<p>He opened a door of a smaller apartment, leading -from the main library.</p> - -<p>“This is where I keep the rarest books,” said -the doctor. “There is one volume of Horace here -that is worth—well, I really have forgotten for the -moment just how much it is worth, but I know -it is quite valuable. I picked it up the same day -I secured a copy of Plato—but there—what have -you to tell me?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Boise wants those papers I brought to you -one day. Those papers about your estate.”</p> - -<p>“Papers—did you bring me some papers?”</p> - -<p>Tom was beginning to despair of ever getting -the doctor to understand what was wanted.</p> - -<p>“Don’t you remember?” he asked. “It was the -same day you secured that edition of Smollett,” for -Tom had an excellent memory.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes! Now I remember, of course. Why -didn’t you say that at first? The papers about my -estate. Why, yes, of course. You brought them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span> -up the day I secured that rare copy of Smollett. -Of course, I remember now,” and the doctor -chuckled at his excellent memory, which never -could remember anything unless it was associated -with a book.</p> - -<p>“Will you get those papers and bring them to -Mr. Boise’s office?” asked Tom. “He wants to -see you at once. It’s very important.”</p> - -<p>“Yes—yes, of course. Right away. The -papers? Of course; let me see now, where did I -put them?”</p> - -<p>Tom felt like groaning. It seemed hopeless to -try to get the old physician to remember where -the documents were.</p> - -<p>“Let me see,” mused the physician. “Did I put -them in my desk? I’ll look.”</p> - -<p>He did without result. Then he explored a -small safe, next a chest of drawers. Then he -looked in all his pockets. Then he stared around -at the rows of books.</p> - -<p>“That’s queer,” he murmured. “I can’t remember -where I put them.”</p> - -<p>Tom thought instead of being queer that it was -the most natural thing in the world for the doctor -not to remember.</p> - -<p>“Now where did I put them?” murmured the -old man. “If I had only stuck them in some book, -I’d be sure to remember them.”</p> - -<p>At this Tom gave an exclamation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span>“What’s the matter?” asked Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“The book!” cried the boy. “Don’t you remember? -You put the papers under a volume of Fielding!”</p> - -<p>For, like a flash, it had occurred to the boy -what the doctor had done with the documents, and -Tom recalled the mistake he had made about the -book—thinking it had to do with baseball.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, of course. Now I remember,” cried -Dr. Spidderkins. “That’s where they are. I knew -I would remember. I’ll get them at once.”</p> - -<p>He went to where the book was. He had no -difficulty in recalling where any volume, among -his several thousand, was located on the shelves.</p> - -<p>“Here is the book,” he said. “A very rare edition. -Now the papers——” Then a blank look -came over his face. “The papers are gone!” he -exclaimed.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII<br /> - -<small>DR. SPIDDERKINS IS ANGRY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Perhaps</span> I made a mistake, and that wasn’t -the book,” remarked Tom.</p> - -<p>“Oh, that was the book. I am positive about -that. I have a bad memory, but when it comes -to books it is pretty good. Especially when you -speak of it. I am positive I put those papers either -in or under that book.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I think, too,” said Tom. “Maybe -they have fallen down.”</p> - -<p>He and the doctor made a thorough search. -They took out all the books in that part of the -library, and looked behind them. They even -searched through several volumes on either side -of the Fielding, but no papers were to be found.</p> - -<p>“Have you another volume of Mr. Fielding?” -asked Tom.</p> - -<p>“I have, yes; but it is only a cheap reprint, and -I never would put valuable papers in or under that. -No, I am sure the papers were here, but they are -gone. What had I better do?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span>At that moment there came a knock on the door -of the inner room, which the physician had taken -the precaution to lock.</p> - -<p>“Hark!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins. “I -thought I heard some one knocking.”</p> - -<p>“There was,” answered Tom.</p> - -<p>The knock was repeated, louder than before, -and a voice which Tom recognized as that of the -mean housekeeper said:</p> - -<p>“Come, come! I can’t stand here all day. I’ve got -my work to do. Open the door, now, Dr. Spidderkins. -I know you’re in there, with that boy. Boys -can’t be trusted, that’s been my experience with -’em. You’d better open the door. I’m sure his -feet are muddy and I can’t have my carpets all -tracked up. Come, are you going to open that -door, or not?”</p> - -<p>“Isn’t—isn’t that some one speaking?” asked the -aged physician, gently, as if there was the slightest -doubt of it. Mrs. Sandow’s harsh voice could -have been heard through the whole house.</p> - -<p>“I—I think it’s the housekeeper,” said Tom.</p> - -<p>“Of course; to be sure,” replied the doctor, in a -tone of relief, as if a great uncertainty had been -lifted from his mind. “It must be my housekeeper. -I thought I recognized the voice, but I couldn’t -quite place it. I am afraid—I’m very much afraid—that -my memory is going back on me.”</p> - -<p>Tom hadn’t the slightest doubt of it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span>“Well, are you going to let me in?” demanded -Mrs. Sandow again. “I’d like to know what you -mean, Lemuel, by locking the doors on me. I just -want to know what you’re up to! The idea of -locking doors when I’m around. Come! Are you -going to let me in?”</p> - -<p>“Do you think I’d better?” inquired the doctor, -of Tom. “She—she’s a Tartar, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you had better see what she wants,” -suggested the telephone boy.</p> - -<p>“That’s an excellent suggestion. I will act upon -it.”</p> - -<p>The doctor tiptoed to the door, and, placing his -lips close against a panel, whispered as loudly as -he could:</p> - -<p>“What do you want?”</p> - -<p>“What do I want?” repeated Mrs. Sandow. “I -want to come in, that’s what I want. I have something -to say to you. It’s important. Let me in at -once.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll have to wait a moment,” went on the -physician.</p> - -<p>“Wait? What for, I should like to know? -Haven’t I been waiting here, and knocking until -I’ve almost worn the skin off my knuckles? Why -should I wait any longer?”</p> - -<p>But the doctor did not reply. Instead he tiptoed -over to where Tom stood, a curious spectator and -listener to what was going on.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span>“Shall I—shall I let her in?” asked the aged -physician of the boy.</p> - -<p>Tom could not help smiling. This seemed a -matter for the doctor alone to settle. Yet he asked -advice upon it.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you had better,” he replied.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I suppose I had better,” repeated Dr. -Spidderkins. “She’d get in, anyhow,” he added. -“Oh, but she <i>is</i> a woman. There’s no use talking, -she certainly is a Tartar. I—I don’t know when I -ever met, or heard of, or read of, in all ancient -history, for example, one to equal her. Lady Macbeth, -perhaps. You recall Lady Macbeth, I presume?”</p> - -<p>“Are you going to let me in, Dr. Spidderkins, or -shall I have to go and get my duplicate keys, and -open the door myself?” interrupted the harsh voice -of the housekeeper.</p> - -<p>“Did you hear that?” whispered the doctor. -“Duplicate keys! I knew she must have some way -of getting into this room. Once I found a copy of -Dante, which I prized very highly, laid upside -down on my table, and I’m almost certain that I -left it right side up. But then my wretched -memory——”</p> - -<p>A rattling of the knob reminded him that the -housekeeper was still waiting.</p> - -<p>“Then you really think I’d better let her in?” -again whispered the doctor to Tom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span>The telephone boy nodded.</p> - -<p>“Very well, I will, but say nothing to her about -what you told me.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll not,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p>The doctor unlocked the door. Mrs. Sandow, -who had, just as the doctor suspected she would, -made her way to the library, was seen standing in a -belligerent attitude in that apartment.</p> - -<p>“Well, it’s taken you long enough to open the -door,” she snapped.</p> - -<p>“Yes, we—we were very busy,” said Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“I’d like to know what that good-for-nothing -boy is doing here all the while?” went on the angry -woman.</p> - -<p>As no one offered to enlighten her she glared at -Tom.</p> - -<p>“Did—er—did you want to speak to me?” -asked the physician, and Tom waited anxiously for -the answer. He thought it might have something -to do with the matter in hand.</p> - -<p>“Of course I want to speak to you,” said Mrs. -Sandow. “Do you think I’d come all the way here -from my kitchen, and waste my time knocking at -locked doors, though for the life of me I can’t see -why you should lock you door, for I’m sure I don’t -want to take any of your old books, no matter what -others may wish, but then of course——” Here -Mrs. Sandow appeared to forget what she had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span> -started out to say, but she switched off on another -tack and asked:</p> - -<p>“Do you remember me telling you that the water -pipes in the kitchen would need fixing?”</p> - -<p>“I—er—I seem to remember——” began the -doctor.</p> - -<p>“No, you don’t remember, and that’s just the -trouble. You don’t remember anything. You’d -forget to eat if I didn’t call you.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, now I remember!” cried the doctor. “It -was about the furnace. You said we’d need a new -grate. I knew I would remember that, because I -associated it in my mind with a book about Alexander -the Great, and——”</p> - -<p>“No, no! Nothing of the sort,” interrupted -Mrs. Sandow. “That was last year when the -grate broke, and you had to get a new one. This -is about the water pipes in the kitchen. What I -came to tell you was that one had burst, the water -is spouting all over the room, and we need a -plumber right away!”</p> - -<p>“Bless my soul! Why didn’t you say so at -once?” asked the doctor, in some alarm.</p> - -<p>“I would have, only you had your door locked, -and an honest person can’t make her way about,” -and the housekeeper looked very much hurt.</p> - -<p>“I’ll get a plumber at once,” said the doctor. “I -know where there is one, on this street, or is it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span> -the next street?—I can’t seem to remember -now——”</p> - -<p>“And the water is squirting all over the -kitchen,” went on Mrs. Sandow. “It ought to be -shut off, only I don’t know where to shut it off. -That’s another secret about this house,” she added -significantly.</p> - -<p>“I think I can find out the place to shut it off,” -said Tom. “Very likely it’s down in the cellar.”</p> - -<p>“Humph! It’s a good thing you know something,” -said Mrs. Sandow, with a sniff.</p> - -<p>In a few moments the telephone boy had shut -off the water, and the plumber had been summoned. -That mechanic promised to come at once, -and repair the leak.</p> - -<p>“If you had attended to the pipe when I told -you to,” went on Mrs. Sandow, when the excitement -had somewhat calmed down, “this never -would have happened.”</p> - -<p>“I meant to,” said the doctor, “but I forgot——”</p> - -<p>“You’re always forgetting,” interrupted his sister-in-law. -“Some day you’ll forget to come home, -or lose yourself and then——”</p> - -<p>“I’ve lost something now,” exclaimed the doctor. -“We were just hunting for something when -you knocked, Mrs. Sandow. Have you seen——”</p> - -<p>Tom was attacked with a sudden fit of coughing.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span> -He wanted to attract the doctor’s attention, and -warn him not to speak of the papers.</p> - -<p>“Bless my soul!” exclaimed the physician, when -he saw what a spasm Tom was having. “That’s a -terrible cough. You must take something for it. -I would write you a prescription, only I have such -a wretched memory that I might start to give you -something for a cough, and end up by writing out -directions how to cure the mumps. You haven’t -the mumps, have you?”</p> - -<p>“I had them once, and that was enough,” said -Tom. “But, doctor, perhaps I had better call another -time.”</p> - -<p>Tom thought that if he went away, and came -back, he would have a chance to speak to the physician -alone, and warn him.</p> - -<p>But the doctor did not seem to understand. He -knew he had been looking for something, and that -he had not found it. He appealed to the housekeeper, -and Tom began to fear that all his plans -would miscarry.</p> - -<p>However, Mrs. Sandow, likely thinking that -with such a poor memory to depend on she could -obtain no information from the doctor, or else -recollecting that her kitchen was covered with -water from the burst pipe, hurried from the room. -Tom saw his chance, and took it.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t want to speak of the papers before -her,” he said. “She might——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span>“Oh, yes, it was papers we were looking for,” -interrupted the doctor. “I remember now. We -couldn’t find them. But they must be here somewhere. -I’ll look in some other valuable books.”</p> - -<p>But the papers were not to be found. Search as -the two did, in all likely and unlikely places, the -missing documents were not disclosed.</p> - -<p>“I guess we can’t find them,” spoke Tom.</p> - -<p>“It does look that way,” admitted the doctor. -“I wonder what we had better do next?”</p> - -<p>The aged physician seemed quite helpless in the -face of this emergency.</p> - -<p>“You had better come with me to see Mr. -Boise,” suggested Tom. “He can tell you what -to do. I may say to you, Dr. Spidderkins, that -your estate is in danger.”</p> - -<p>“In danger? From whom?”</p> - -<p>“I am not sure that Mr. Boise would want me -to tell you, but I will risk saying that he suspects -Mr. and Mrs. Sandow.”</p> - -<p>“What? Those two whom I have trusted in -everything?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Boise suspects them, and also suspects a -young lawyer in his office.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, dear!” exclaimed the doctor. “I know -nothing about business. All I know about is books. -Do you suppose they have got everything I possess? -I used to be a rich man.”</p> - -<p>He was quite distressed, but Tom hastened to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span> -assure him that he thought the plot had been discovered -in time.</p> - -<p>“I left everything to Mr. and Mrs. Sandow,” -went on the physician. “I gave them money -whenever they wanted it, and I signed the checks -they made out for the tradesmen’s bills. Now to -think how they have repaid me!”</p> - -<p>“We had better hurry down to the office,” -urged Tom. “I think Mr. Boise will be waiting -for you.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, I will go at once. Let me see, -where did I put that book I was reading? Oh, -here it is. I think I will take it along with me. -It may calm my mind.”</p> - -<p>He started from the library, Tom following. -The doctor got to the door, and was going out, -when the telephone boy called his attention to the -fact that he had neither hat nor coat on, and there -was a cold March wind blowing.</p> - -<p>“Bless my soul! I forgot all about a hat,” admitted -the aged physician. “I am getting quite -forgetful. I was wondering where I could get a -copy of the first edition of Carlyle’s Sartor Resartus. -I have only a common edition, and I want -a rare one. Thank you,” he added, as Tom -handed him his hat and coat from the rack.</p> - -<p>“Where are you going, Lemuel?” asked Mrs. -Sandow, as she suddenly appeared in the hall.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span>“I—I am going out,” answered the doctor -mildly.</p> - -<p>“Going out? This cold day! You forgot you -were to sign some checks for the grocer and -butcher.”</p> - -<p>“I thought I made out those checks.”</p> - -<p>“No; they were for the milkman and the coal -dealer.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I suppose I must make them out.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps they will do when we get back,” suggested -Tom, for he had an idea the woman was -only carrying out the general plan of herself and -her husband, to cheat Dr. Spidderkins out of as -much money as possible by getting him to sign -extra checks.</p> - -<p>“What do you know about it, young man?” -asked Mrs. Sandow sharply.</p> - -<p>“The doctor is in a hurry to get to his lawyer’s -office, and I thought the checks might wait until -he returned.”</p> - -<p>“Are you going to a lawyer’s office?” asked -Mrs. Sandow, with suspicion in her tone.</p> - -<p>“I—I believe so—or was it the book store?” -replied Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“The lawyer’s first, and then, if you like, to -the book store,” answered Tom with a smile at -the old man’s eccentricities.</p> - -<p>“You had better stay in,” suggested Mrs. Sandow,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span> -in more gentle tones. “It is very cold out, -and perhaps I can go for you.”</p> - -<p>Dr. Spidderkins hesitated. It was easy for Tom -to see that the woman exercised considerable control -over the aged physician. But the telephone -boy was determined to frustrate her schemes.</p> - -<p>“We had better hurry,” said Tom, taking hold -of the old man’s arm. “Mr. Boise will be waiting -for us.”</p> - -<p>“Yes—yes, we must hurry,” assented the doctor. -“I’ll be back soon, Mrs. Sandow, and perhaps,” -he added significantly, “you will not be so -glad to see me.”</p> - -<p>“Not glad to see you? Why, I am always glad -to see you, Lemuel,” said the woman, with a -whine. “I am very fond of you. I was only -anxious for your own good, when I spoke.”</p> - -<p>“And for your own, and your husband’s,” -thought Tom.</p> - -<p>The woman saw it would be useless to protest -further. Tom and his aged friend left, -boarded a car, and were riding toward the law -office.</p> - -<p>Once there Mr. Boise soon explained to the doctor -the plots of Mr. and Mrs. Sandow. The documents, -which had come in the mail to Mr. Cutler, -proved to be deeds and mortgages which the physician -had, unknowingly, signed the night before.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span> -They transferred the control of most of his property -to his rascally relatives.</p> - -<p>“Is it too late to prevent the loss of my estate?” -asked the doctor.</p> - -<p>“Well, I am afraid you will lose some of it,” -replied the lawyer. “They have been deceiving -you for a long time, and, very likely, they have a -good share of your money now. You have been -so wrapped up in your books, that you did not -know about it.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t we prevent them from getting away with -it?” asked Dr. Spidderkins, as he seemed to rouse -to sudden anger at the thought of the manner in -which he had been swindled.</p> - -<p>“Yes, perhaps, if we act promptly.”</p> - -<p>“Then let’s act promptly!” exclaimed the physician. -“We’ll go back to my house and we’ll -clean the rascals out, bag and baggage! I’m an -old man, but when I get roused up I’m as good as -a young one!”</p> - -<p>To look at him one would not doubt this, for -the doctor seemed to have grown several years -younger. He had been carrying a book but now -he thrust it into his pocket as if it was of no value. -He was thoroughly in earnest.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” he said, to Tom and Mr. Boise. -“We’ll go and see if we can’t end their plots! -I’ll have something to say to Mr. and Mrs. Sandow -that they won’t like.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span>“That’s the way to talk!” exclaimed Mr. Boise -admiringly. “You’ve been too much engrossed in -your books heretofore, Dr. Spidderkins.”</p> - -<p>“I guess I have. I need some honest persons -to look after me. Well, maybe I’ll get them, after -this affair is over.”</p> - -<p>Accompanied by Tom and Mr. Boise the doctor -went back home, to “clear the rascals out,” -as he expressed it several times, on the ride to the -Back Bay district.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV<br /> - -<small>THE FLIGHT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Suppose</span> we should be too late,” suggested the -doctor, as they neared the house.</p> - -<p>“I think we will be in time,” replied Mr. Boise. -“Of course Mrs. Sandow may become suspicious -over what happened while Tom was there, and she -may inform her husband. But they can do little -now.”</p> - -<p>“Can we get back what they have already -taken?” inquired the physician. “I am not overly -fond of money, in fact all I use it for is to buy -books, but I do not like to be robbed and cheated, -especially by those whom I have befriended. -When my brother died I told his widow she could -live with me as my housekeeper. Then, when she -got married again, I still allowed her and her husband -to live in my house. And this is the way -they have repaid me!”</p> - -<p>“I fancy we will be able to make them give up -their ill-gotten spoils,” remarked the lawyer. -“But we must first catch them.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span>“You say one of your partners was mixed in -with Sandow in the game?” asked Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“Yes; I am sorry to say Mr. Cutler seems to -be involved. Without his aid Barton Sandow -could not have done what he has. But I shall deal -with him, and also with a man named Leeth, who -aided him and Sandow.”</p> - -<p>“I was just wondering if perhaps that Cutler -might not suspect something, and give the Sandows -warning,” suggested the doctor.</p> - -<p>“I never thought of that,” admitted Mr. Boise. -“He may do so. Still, it is too late now. We will -go to your house. I want to have a talk with Mrs. -Sandow.”</p> - -<p>“And I’d like to meet that rascally husband of -hers,” added the doctor grimly. “I’ll have something -to say to him.”</p> - -<p>“I fancy Mrs. Sandow is as guilty as her husband,” -went on Mr. Boise. “She knew of your -wealth, and probably suggested to him that they -try to secure control of it. Well, they very nearly -succeeded. But we are getting near your home, -are we not, Dr. Spidderkins?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; we’ll get out at the next corner.”</p> - -<p>They alighted and turned up the long walk to -the house.</p> - -<p>“Now, if you haven’t forgotten your key, we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span> -can get in without ringing the bell,” said the -lawyer.</p> - -<p>Dr. Spidderkins began to search through his -various pockets.</p> - -<p>“There!” he exclaimed. “There’s that letter I -forgot to mail. It’s about some choice books, too. -Bless my soul, but I am getting forgetful. Let’s -see, what was it I was looking for?”</p> - -<p>“Your key,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. Well, this must be it. For a wonder -I didn’t forget to bring it.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps we can surprise Mrs. Sandow,” suggested -the lawyer. “Don’t make any more noise -than you can help.”</p> - -<p>Softly the door was opened, and then on tiptoes -they entered the hall. The house seemed strangely -quiet.</p> - -<p>“She’ll probably be in the sitting-room,” suggested -the physician, but the woman was not there. -Nor was she in any of the downstairs apartments.</p> - -<p>“Look in her bedroom,” proposed the lawyer.</p> - -<p>The three ascended the stairs. No voice called -to know who was coming up. The house remained -quiet.</p> - -<p>“I guess she’s gone,” said Mr. Boise.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid so,” admitted Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>A glance into Mrs. Sandow’s room showed that -she had taken flight. The apartment was in confusion. -Clothing was scattered about, as though<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span> -she had hastily packed what she could, and gone -off.</p> - -<p>“This is too bad!” exclaimed Mr. Boise. “I -depended on making her confess, before she saw -her husband. She has probably joined him.”</p> - -<p>“And taken a lot of my money with her,” added -the physician. “I only hope they did not disturb -my valuable books. I must look and see.”</p> - -<p>A hasty search convinced him that his precious -volumes were undisturbed in the library.</p> - -<p>“I wonder where she has gone to?” mused the -lawyer. “I would like to find her.”</p> - -<p>Tom, who was in the front hall, uttered an exclamation -as he picked up a scrap of yellow paper.</p> - -<p>“Here’s part of a telegram,” he said.</p> - -<p>“So it is. Perhaps Sandow telegraphed for her -to meet him. Can you make out any words on it, -Tom?”</p> - -<p>“There are parts of some words, and two complete -ones. It reads: ‘—eet me at Park—’ and -then comes a tear.”</p> - -<p>“See if we can’t find the other pieces,” suggested -the doctor. “She probably tore it up, and scattered -them about.”</p> - -<p>But a close search failed to reveal anything -more. The remainder of the telegram appeared -to be destroyed.</p> - -<p>“Let’s use a little detective ability, and see if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span> -we can’t guess what the entire telegram was,” suggested -Mr. Boise.</p> - -<p>“This is about the middle part of a telegraph -blank,” said Tom.</p> - -<p>“How do you know?” asked the doctor.</p> - -<p>“I can tell from the printing on the back. I -once worked as a messenger boy for a few weeks.”</p> - -<p>“That’s one point,” remarked Mr. Boise. “If -this is the middle part of the message, there must -have been several words before these, and some -after them. Probably the first part told Mrs. Sandow -that everything was discovered. Then came -this sentence ‘Meet me at Park—’; but what park -is there around here?”</p> - -<p>“None where they would be likely to meet,” replied -Tom, who knew that part of Boston pretty -well by this time. “I have it!” he exclaimed. “It -isn’t a park. It’s Parker House. I saw Sandow -there one night!”</p> - -<p>“That’s it! Why didn’t I think of that!” exclaimed -Mr. Boise. “Tom, you’ll be a better -lawyer than I am, if you keep on.”</p> - -<p>“Come on then!” said Dr. Spidderkins. “We -must go to the Parker House and arrest them! -They shan’t get away with my money if I can -help it!”</p> - -<p>“We’d better hurry,” suggested Tom. “The -Parker House is quite a ride from here.”</p> - -<p>“I have a better plan than that,” remarked the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span> -lawyer. “I’ll telephone to my office, and have Mr. -Keen get a policeman and go to the Parker House. -He can get there before we will, and he can cause -the arrest of the couple.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried the doctor. “There’s a telephone -in my house here, but I always forget to -use it, and whenever I want anything I generally -walk after it. Now it will come in handy.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Boise was soon in communication with Mr. -Keen, and told him how to proceed.</p> - -<p>“Arrest them at once,” said the elderly lawyer. -“What’s that? Cutler came back, took some -papers from his desk, and hurried away again? -Well, say nothing about that until I return.</p> - -<p>“I think we have seen the last of Mr. Cutler,” -remarked Mr. Boise as he hung up the receiver. -“Well, perhaps it is better so. I should have gotten -rid of him in any event.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps he has some papers belonging to me,” -said Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“No. Before we came away I went through his -desk, and I took out all the documents referring -to your estate. But I hope Keen is in time.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s go and see,” suggested the physician, and, -locking up his house, he, together with Mr. Boise -and Tom, hurried to the Parker House.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXV<br /> - -<small>TOM’S PROMOTION—CONCLUSION</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Never</span> had a trolley car seemed to travel so -slowly as did that one from the Back Bay section, -in which the three anxious ones rode. But finally -they reached their destination. As they hurried -into the lobby of the hotel they were met by Mr. -Keen.</p> - -<p>“Well?” asked Mr. Boise anxiously.</p> - -<p>“We caught them just in time,” replied his partner. -“They had engaged a cab, and had tickets -to New York, when I appeared on the scene with -an officer, and placed them under arrest.”</p> - -<p>“Where are they now?”</p> - -<p>“Safe in a room, with a policeman on guard. -I thought that better than taking them to the station -house, as I believe they will confess, and make -restitution. They are both badly frightened.”</p> - -<p>This proved to be the case. All the bluster had -gone from Mr. Sandow, and his wife was no -longer the sneering woman she had been. She was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span> -weeping in one corner of the room as Dr. Spidderkins -and his friends entered.</p> - -<p>“So, this is the way you repay me for my kindness -to you both, is it?” the aged physician exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Lemuel, forgive me!” pleaded his sister-in-law. -“I don’t know why we did it! But you -had so much money and we didn’t have any.”</p> - -<p>“I would always have provided you with a comfortable -home,” went on the doctor. “But now -I will compel you to give up what you stole, and -I will turn you out of my house.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll—we’ll give it all back, Lemuel,” -promised Mrs. Sandow. “We didn’t spend much -of it. That lawyer got some, but the rest we -have.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; Eli Cutler is as guilty as we are,” added -Mr. Sandow. “Why don’t you arrest him?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps we will,” replied Mr. Boise. “But -are you now ready to turn over to Dr. Spidderkins -all that you took belonging to him?”</p> - -<p>“I suppose so,” mumbled Sandow.</p> - -<p>“If they do I think it would be better to avoid -the notoriety of an arrest and prosecution,” suggested -the lawyer to his client.</p> - -<p>Dr. Spidderkins nodded, and thus the matter -was arranged. Sandow turned over to the lawyer -certain valuable papers, bonds and mortgages -which he had managed to secure from the doctor,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span> -chiefly through that old gentleman’s forgetfulness -about business details. The scheming couple had -also secured considerable cash, by the simple process -of making the doctor make out checks twice -for the same bill. The second checks they kept -for themselves.</p> - -<p>“There will be no prosecution, in case you leave -Boston and never return,” said Mr. Boise, when -the details had been completed, and most of Dr. -Spidderkins’ stolen fortune had been restored to -him. “Do you agree to that?”</p> - -<p>“We have to, I suppose,” remarked Sandow.</p> - -<p>He and his wife left the Parker House, taking -their baggage with them. The police officer -escorted them to the depot—to see that they took -the train.</p> - -<p>“Now that this disagreeable business is over, -I think I can return to my home and my books,” -remarked Dr. Spidderkins. “I suppose you will -deal with Mr. Cutler?”</p> - -<p>“I do not think there will be a chance,” replied -Mr. Boise. “I fancy he is far enough away from -here by this time.”</p> - -<p>After events proved that he was, for he sailed -for England with his ill-gotten gains, which, however, -were much smaller than they would have -been, had not Tom heard that mysterious message -going over the wire, and acted as he did. Mr.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span> -Leeth also disappeared, but he had secured only a -small sum.</p> - -<p>“I can not tell you how much I am indebted to -you, for what you have done for me, Mr. Boise,” -went on the doctor. “If it had not been for you -I would be a poor man to-day, and I could never -buy any more choice books.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t thank me; thank Tom. He is the hero -on this occasion,” replied the lawyer, looking at -the telephone boy. “He engineered all this, and, -by revealing to me the duplicity of my partner, -enabled me to act in time to save your wealth. -Had it not been for Tom we never could have -succeeded.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so,” agreed the doctor heartily. “I had -nearly forgotten that. Oh, what shall I do about -my treacherous memory? But I’ll not forget you, -Tom. I am a little tired over this excitement, but -I will call on you this evening, and properly express -my appreciation. Where do you live?”</p> - -<p>Tom gave him the address, the physician writing -it down on the fly-leaf of a book, as the best place -for such an important memorandum.</p> - -<p>“You need not report back to the office, Tom,” -said his employer. “I fancy you have done enough -for one day.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” replied our hero, as he left the -hotel and went home.</p> - -<p>It seemed that Mrs. Baldwin, and Tom’s Aunt<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span> -Sallie would never finish asking questions about -what had happened, when Tom told them the -occurrences of the day.</p> - -<p>“And to think that you did the most part,” exclaimed -his aunt.</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, it just happened so,” replied Tom, -who was nothing if not modest. “I guess the telephone -did the most part. That’s a wonderful -invention.”</p> - -<p>They were talking in the small sitting-room -after supper that evening, when there came a knock -on the door.</p> - -<p>“I’ll go,” said Tom, and when he opened the -portal there stood Dr. Spidderkins.</p> - -<p>“Does Tom Baldwin——” he began, when he -saw the boy who had been of such service to him. -“Why, of course, there you are,” he finished. “I -guess I must have knocked at half a dozen houses. -You see I wrote your address down in a book, and -then I forgot what book I had written it in. But -I called up Mr. Boise and, fortunately, he remembered -it. I have come to thank you for what you -did for me.”</p> - -<p>“Come in,” invited Tom, and he ushered the -guest into the modest sitting-room.</p> - -<p>“This is my mother, Dr. Spidderkins,” he said, -“and my aunt, Miss Ramsey.”</p> - -<p>“Ramsey—Ramsey——” repeated the physician. -“Why, I used to know a Ramsey family.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span> -Let me see, there was a Jeanette Ramsey—and a -Sallie Ramsey—and—why, bless my soul—you’re -Jeanette Ramsey, aren’t you?” and he looked at -Tom’s mother.</p> - -<p>“That was my name before I was married. But -is this the Dr. Spidderkins that used to live in -Lowell?”</p> - -<p>“The very same. Bless my soul! I suppose -I’ve grown so old you wouldn’t know me, but I’d -remember you anywhere,” said the doctor gallantly, -with a bow to the ladies. “Bless my soul! -To think of meeting you again, after all these -years. Tom, you young rascal, why didn’t you -tell me your mother was Jeanette Ramsey, with -whom I used to play when I was a boy, though -I was ever so much older than she was?”</p> - -<p>“You never asked me,” replied Tom.</p> - -<p>The doctor spent a pleasant evening with his -former friends, talking over old times.</p> - -<p>“I heard Tom speak of a Dr. Spidderkins,” said -Mrs. Baldwin, “but I did not know it was the -one I used to know.”</p> - -<p>“Well, well, this is a strange world,” mused -the old gentleman. “But I am nearly forgetting -what I came for, in the excitement of meeting you -two ladies again. Tom, I want to show my appreciation -of what you did for me. I understand -from Mr. Boise that you want to study law. -There is no better profession in the world. Now<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span> -I am going to send you to college and then to a -law school. I expect you to graduate with honors, -and then you can look after my legal business for -me, for I am getting to have such a bad memory -that I need a guardian. Will you go, Tom?”</p> - -<p>Tom was silent a moment. The offer was so -unexpected that it nearly took his breath away. He -had never dreamed of such advancement.</p> - -<p>“Well,” asked Dr. Spidderkins, inquiringly, “I -hope you don’t prefer being a telephone boy to -becoming a lawyer?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no. If I could study law I think I would -like it better than anything else.”</p> - -<p>“Then you shall study law,” went on the doctor -firmly. “It’s the least I can do for you, after -you saved my fortune for me. After you graduate -I shall see that you do not lack for practice.</p> - -<p>“There is another matter. Now that the Sandows -are gone I shall be all alone in that big house. -That would never do. I need some one to look -after me, or I would forget to eat. Won’t you -come and take charge of the place, Mrs. Baldwin? -I would pay you and Miss Ramsey well, and it -would be a good home for Tom.”</p> - -<p>It did not need much urging to have the two -women give up their sewing work, which had paid -very poorly of late, and accept the doctor’s offer. -Within a week they were established in the Spidderkins -mansion, and Tom had been entered at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span> -college, where he was to make a specialty of law.</p> - -<p>One evening, not long after this, Tom was called -to the telephone, in the doctor’s house. He heard -a girl’s voice speaking.</p> - -<p>“Is this Tom Baldwin?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes. Who is this?”</p> - -<p>“I thought you were coming over to see my -brother, and learn something about a telephone -switchboard,” came back over the wire, followed -by a jolly laugh.</p> - -<p>“Oh, so I am. Why, it’s—it’s Minnie Renfield!” -exclaimed Tom, as he recognized the voice -of the central girl, who had done him such a good -turn.</p> - -<p>“Of course it is,” she replied. “When are you -coming over?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t need to learn about a switchboard any -more,” replied Tom. “I’m going to study law. -But I’m coming to see—your brother, just the -same.”</p> - -<p>Minnie laughed.</p> - -<p>Tom went at the difficult study of law as he had -done at learning how to operate a switchboard, -and he did well. Soon after our hero left the -law office, Charley Grove took his place, as the -brokerage firm he was with failed, and Charley -made a most efficient telephone operator.</p> - -<p>As for Tom, when he graduated, and had to -spend some time in a law office, before he could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span> -be admitted to the bar, he naturally selected the -firm of Boise & Keen, for Mr. Cutler’s name was -dropped after his flight.</p> - -<p>To-day the firm is Boise, Keen & Baldwin, for -Tom, in a few years, was made the junior member. -He no longer lives in Dr. Spidderkins’ house, -though his mother and aunt continue to reside -there, for Tom is married, but I don’t believe you -can guess who the young lady was. What’s that? -Minnie Renfield, the telephone girl? Why, how -ever in the world did you guess it, boys?</p> - -<p class="center">THE END</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">TO THE READER</h2> -</div> - -<p>Now that you have finished reading this story, -we desire to call your attention to all the other -volumes in this remarkable series for boys.</p> - -<p>We feel that we have made a distinct find in -Mr. Frank V. Webster, who is under contract to -write exclusively for the Cupples & Leon Company. -Mr. Webster’s style is very much like that -of the late-lamented Mr. Alger, but his tales are -all thoroughly up-to-date. This author, though -still young, has been a great traveler, and therefore -he knows exactly what he is writing about, be -it a story of city or country life, a tale of the far -west, or of the frozen north.</p> - -<p>“How can you write such fine stories?” a boy -once asked Mr. Webster.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I guess it comes natural,” answered the -author. “I have been through so much and seen -so much, it seems as if I could go on telling stories -forever.”</p> - -<p>On the following pages we give the outlines of -some of Mr. Webster’s stories. Read them—they -will interest you.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3>THE BOY FROM THE RANCH</h3> - -<p>Did you ever stop to think how strange life in a -big city must appear to a boy who has never been -anywhere but on the boundless plains?</p> - -<p>“I simply had to write that story—I couldn’t -help it,” said Mr. Webster, in telling us how “The -Boy from the Ranch; or, Roy Bradner’s City -Experiences,” came to be penned. “Some years -ago I was on a ranch, and there I met a lad just -like Roy, who told me of all the things that had -happened to him when he went to Chicago for his -uncle on business.”</p> - -<p>In this story of life on the plains and in New -York, Roy is a clever lad who knows how to take -his own part, no matter what happens. His father -being sick, he is sent to the great metropolis to -transact some business. Everything is new and -strange to him and he makes some queer mistakes -which make very funny reading. He falls into the -hands of a sharper who has been cheating Mr. -Bradner out of the income of some valuable property. -The sharper and his tools try to get the -ranch boy out of the way. But—well, Roy turns -the tables, and makes things mighty warm for the -fellows.</p> - -<p>A splendid volume, bound in cloth, and well -illustrated. Published by the Cupples & Leon -Company, at thirty-five cents. Sent postpaid if you -can not get it from your bookseller.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3>THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER</h3> - -<p>Do you like stories of the frozen north? of great -hardships amid ice and snow? and of thrilling encounters -with wild beasts and with thieving -Indians? If you do you will not want to miss -Frank V. Webster’s book entitled: “The Young -Treasure Hunter; or, Fred Stanley’s Trip to -Alaska.”</p> - -<p>“The most interesting story of the Alaskan gold -fields I ever read,” one boy has written to us. “My -father was one of the first men to go to Alaska, and -he says the pictures of life there are true. I guess -Mr. Webster must have been there himself.”</p> - -<p>This story tells of how a poor boy joined a party -in search of a golden treasure, and of how, after -the treasure was discovered, a bad man, aided -by some Alaskan Indians, tried to get the wealth -away. Fred proved himself a hero on more than -one occasion, and we know all boys will like him -for that. On one occasion the youth brings down -a fine moose, and on another he and his chum suffer -from snow blindness and become lost in the dazzling -whiteness.</p> - -<p>This book might easily have been issued at one -dollar or one dollar and a half, but Mr. Webster -insisted that the price be made the same as on all -his other volumes, namely, thirty-five cents. Issued -by the Cupples & Leon Company, New York, and -for sale by booksellers everywhere.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3>BOB THE CASTAWAY</h3> - -<p>One day Mr. Webster came into our office and -placed a manuscript on the desk of our editor.</p> - -<p>“Did you ever take a sea voyage when you were -a boy?” he asked as he dropped into a chair.</p> - -<p>The editor said he had never had that pleasure.</p> - -<p>“Well, I did—and I was wrecked, too,” went -on the author. “And I was sent to sea for the -same reason that Bob Henderson had to go.”</p> - -<p>Then we got very curious and read the story, -which had for its title: “Bob the Castaway; or, -The Wreck of the Eagle.” We had to laugh -when we read that yarn. Bob was such a fun-loving -fellow, and he played such awful jokes. He -tried to play a joke on an old sea captain at a church -donation party, but, to the boy’s horror, the minister -got the benefit (?) of the fun. Then Bob’s parents -sent him to sea to cure him, and the boy was -wrecked on an island in the Pacific, and had many -thrilling adventures. It’s a true-to-life story, for -it contains many pages out of Mr. Webster’s own -experiences. A very nervous passenger on the -ship makes a lot of unconscious fun. There is a -great hurricane, and an encounter with South Sea -natives.</p> - -<p>A fine volume, bound in cloth, and well illustrated, -and the price is thirty-five cents. Buy it -from your bookseller, or send to the Cupples & -Leon Company, New York, for it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3>THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE</h3> - -<p>“Fire! fire! fire!”</p> - -<p>That is the cry that sometimes thrills us, ringing -out during the day or in the silent hours of -the night. And who is it whose heart does not -jump within him when he sees the devouring flames -leaping skyward, and sees the engines, hose-carts -and long hook-and-ladder trucks dashing through -the streets to put out the conflagration?</p> - -<p>The life of the fireman is one full of excitement -and often of peril. This Mr. Frank V. Webster -fully realized when he wrote, “The Young Firemen -of Lakeville; or, Herbert Dare’s Pluck.” -How the boys became dissatisfied with the old -“bucket brigade” and organized a real fire company, -and how they worked at more than one fire, -is told with great fidelity to life. And then there -is the secret of the old mansion, and that is worked -up in Mr. Webster’s best style.</p> - -<p>“The mystery in this story is taken from life,” -Mr. Webster wrote us. “It surrounded an old man -and a fortune worth nearly half a million dollars. -A good-for-nothing grandson wanted to get it away -from him.”</p> - -<p>Published, as are all the Frank V. Webster -books, by the Cupples & Leon Company, New -York. Bound in cloth, illustrated, and for sale -everywhere at thirty-five cents.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3>THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS</h3> - -<p>“Say, what’s the matter with you, anyhow?”</p> - -<p>That was the question that Jimmy Small, a New -York newsboy, asked when first he met Dick, in -a dark alleyway, where Jimmy had gone to sleep -because he didn’t have the price of a bed at the -lodging-house.</p> - -<p>Dick was a well-dressed boy, and lay there with -a nasty cut on the head. He couldn’t tell how he -had got into the alleyway or where he had come -from. All he could remember was his first name—and -as he was found in a box, Jimmy called him -Dick Box.</p> - -<p>The poor newsboy befriended Dick, and the two -became partners. Dick could not remember his -past, but he remembered how to read and write, -and he taught Jimmy, and the two worked their -way upward. Then one day something happened—something -truly wonderful—and Dick—well, he -didn’t remain poor, unknown Dick Box for a great -while longer.</p> - -<p>This story, issued under the title of “The Newsboy -Partners; or, Who Was Dick Box?” is a -fascinating tale, told in Mr. Webster’s best style. -Splendidly illustrated, bound in cloth, price thirty-five -cents. Published by the Cupples & Leon Co., -New York. Ask your bookseller to show you this -volume.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> - -<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> -</div></div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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