Making His Mark

"Did you put the police on his track?"

"The matter was reported, of course; but we found that a considerable expenditure was required to excite interest and spur on the police detectives to active efforts. Finally the search was given up and the matter was well-nigh forgotten."

"Then the sum taken did not embarrass the firm?"

"Only slightly and temporarily. Twenty years have passed, as the letter says, and I had well-nigh forgotten Nixon and his crime till this letter reached me."

The old gentleman paused, and Gerald felt like asking, "What are you going to do about it?" but Mr. Nugent anticipated him.

"I have been thinking over this letter, and the writer's request, and it embarrasses me. Of course it is out of the question for me to go out to Montana, in my state of health."

"So I suppose, sir. You might send some one."

"True, but whom shall I send? Ten years ago, when I was more in touch with the world, I might have thought of some one. But, partly on account of my health, I have withdrawn from society and from business, and actually I cannot think of any one whom I should wish to trust with such a weighty responsibility."

Gerald quite entered into his feelings and views, but was unable to offer a suggestion. Of what Mr. Nugent had in his mind he had not the remotest conception.

"You will want to do something?" he said. "Such a sum of money is worth securing."

"So most people would say. In my case, having abundant means, I am less likely to be influenced by this consideration. My chief object, if I comply with the writer's request, is to bring relief to his mind by enabling him to make atonement for his offence. It was only this afternoon that I thought of one whom I could send out to Montana as my agent."

"Is it any one I know?" asked Gerald.

Mr. Nugent smiled.

"Probably you know him better than any one else in the world. I mean yourself!"

Gerald started in amazement.

"You really mean it?" he asked.

"Yes."

"But I am only a boy."

"True, but you are a good, sensible, reliable boy. How old are you?"

"Sixteen, sir."

"So I supposed. The qualities I mentioned are not a matter of age. Sometimes a boy is more reliable than a man."

"I thank you very much for your good opinion of me," said Gerald; "I am afraid you think too well of me."

"It may be so, but I have a good deal of confidence in you."

"I am very young for such a responsible commission."

"That's true. I wish you were older, but that is a matter that cannot be hastened. The sum of it all is, that failing you I know of no one whom I would care to trust. It must be either you or none. Are you willing to undertake the task?"

"Yes, sir, if you think me competent. I am not only willing, but shall be very glad to."

"You are quite sure that you will like it as well as staying with Mr. Tubbs?"

Mr. Nugent said this with a smile.

"I should not be willing to stay with Mr. Tubbs at any rate."

"When do you leave him?"

"To-morrow evening."

"Very well. I will get you ready to start for Montana on Monday."

When Gerald reached home it was five minutes past ten o'clock. Abel met him at the door.

"Ma says she won't have you comin' home so late," he said. "She'll give it to you!"

CHAPTER XVI

MRS. LANE'S SURPRISE

Considering his new and brilliant prospects, Gerald was not particularly disturbed by Abel's words. He didn't take the trouble to reply, but went at once into the sitting-room, where, with a frowning face, Mrs. Lane awaited him.

"This is a fine time to come home," she said, abruptly.

"It is rather late, Mrs. Lane," said Gerald, calmly, "but I could not very well reach home earlier."

"Did you come from the store as soon as it closed?"

"No, madam."

"I suppose you went to the billiard-room; I understand that you frequent that disreputable place."

"Then you are misinformed. I went there one evening with Mr. Brandon, Mr. Tubbs' clerk."

"Where, then, did you go?"

"To Mr. Nugent's."

"You seem to have struck up quite an intimacy with Mr. Nugent," said his stepmother, with a sneer.

"I hope you don't consider him a disreputable person, Mrs. Lane."

"You are impertinent. You have no right to annoy him by late visits."

"I don't. He is always glad to see me; to-night, particularly, he had some business which he wished to talk over with me."

Abel laughed.

"Hear him talk, ma!" he said. "Just as if Mr. Nugent would talk over business with Gerald!"

Gerald did not think it necessary to answer this malicious remark.

"I have been over to see Mr. Tubbs to-day," said Mrs. Lane.

Gerald looked at her inquiringly.

"And he has agreed to keep you. He still thinks that you robbed the money-drawer, but is inclined to think you will not repeat the theft."

"I am very much obliged to him, I am sure."

"You have reason to be. It is not many employers who would overlook such an offence. You could not, of course, get another position without his recommendation."

Gerald did not reply. He waited to see what more Mrs. Lane had to say.

"Therefore you will continue to work in the grocery store."

"You must excuse me for saying, Mrs. Lane, that I shall not do so."

"You dare to say that?" exclaimed his stepmother, flushing with indignation.

"Yes, madam."

"Do you expect me to support you without work? If so, you will find yourself disappointed. I shall not provide you with a home if you dare to oppose my will."

"It will not be necessary, Mrs. Lane. I have obtained another situation."

"What?" exclaimed his stepmother, in genuine surprise.

"Who are you going to work for?" asked Abel, his curiosity aroused.

"For Mr. Nugent."

"How much is he goin' to pay you?"

"I don't know."

"Nor any one else, I reckon. What can he have for you to do?"

"I am not at liberty to tell just yet."

"It strikes me, Gerald Lane, that I have some voice in the matter. I shall not allow you to give up a place unless you are to get one equally good."

"While I don't know how much I am to get, I have no doubt it will be considerably more than Mr. Tubbs pays me."

Gerald could not have said anything better calculated to remove his stepmother's objections to his new plan.

"Very well," she said, calming down, "if that's the case I don't know that I shall object. Have you no idea what you are to do?"

"Yes, I have some idea."

"Tell me, then, all about it."

"I am not at liberty to do so. You might call on Mr. Nugent and ask him."

"I will do so."

Gerald smiled to himself. He knew that Mrs. Lane would get very little information out of the old gentleman.

Having no more to say Mrs. Lane suggested that it was high time they all went to bed. Gerald was quite ready to avail himself of the opportunity, for he was tired. Besides, he wanted a chance to think over the new and brilliant prospect before him.

The next day Mr. Nugent was surprised by a call from Mrs. Lane.

He lifted his eyes a little as she was shown into his presence. He knew her by sight, but had never spoken to her, beyond exchanging formal greetings.

"I must apologize for intruding upon you, Mr. Nugent," she said, "but I am led to do so by some information which Gerald, my stepson, has given me."

Mr. Nugent bowed, and waited to hear more.

"Gerald informed me last evening that you had offered him employment. I did not know whether to put confidence in his statement."

"Why not?" asked the old gentleman, curtly.

"Because I thought it might be only an excuse for leaving Mr. Tubbs."

"Gerald is incapable of falsehood."

"I am glad you have so good an opinion of him. Then do I understand that you have offered him employment?"

"I have."

"Of what nature?"

"Pardon me, but the business is of a confidential nature."

"Surely, as the boy's stepmother, I have a right to information on that point."

"You have no right to pry into my private affairs, Mrs. Lane."

His visitor bit her lips from irritation.

"Gerald didn't even know how much pay he was to receive."

"No, he does not know."

"He is receiving three dollars a week from Mr. Tubbs."

"And you don't care to have him work for less?" said Mr. Nugent, with a smile.

"Precisely."

"You may set your mind at rest, then. While I don't myself know how much I shall pay him, it will be more than that."

"That is satisfactory, of course. I presume you know what charge Mr. Tubbs has made against Gerald?"

"I do; but no one who knows the boy will for a moment think of crediting it."

"I supposed you thought so, or you would not offer him employment. Do you intend to employ him about your house?"

"No."

"Then I can't see what you can have for him to do."

"I may tell you as much as this, Mrs. Lane: I shall send Gerald to a point at some distance to transact some business for me, being unable, from age and infirmity to make the journey myself."

Mrs. Lane was greatly surprised. She could see that the commission was a desirable one, and would like to have secured it for her own son.

"I don't know whether you have made a wise selection of a messenger, Mr. Nugent. My son Abel is as old as Gerald."

"That may be, but I haven't the pleasure of knowing your son. Gerald and his father have been for some time friends of mine."

"When did you wish Gerald to start?"

"On Monday."

"That is short notice. I don't know that I can have his clothes ready."

"Never mind about that. I don't want to put you to any trouble in the matter. He can take what is ready, and buy others if he has need."

"Will he be likely to be gone long?"

"For some time," answered Mr. Nugent, indefinitely.

"Well, I trust he will satisfy you," said Mrs. Lane, as she rose to go.

"I have great confidence that he will."

Meanwhile Mr. Tubbs took occasion to speak to Gerald about staying.

"Your mother was in here yesterday to see me, Gerald," he commenced.

"My stepmother," corrected Gerald.

"Oh, well, it's all the same."

"I don't think so."

"She's a very sensible woman. I agreed with her to keep you. There are some that wouldn't after what happened this week; but I don't want to be too hard upon you, considerin' you are so young, and I said I would keep you, trustin' that all will be satisfactory here after."

"Mr. Tubbs, I have something to say to that. I shall leave you to-night."

"But your mother won't allow it. You are only a boy, and–"

"I am going to work for Mr. Nugent on Monday, Mr. Tubbs."

"What can he have for you to do?" asked the grocer in surprise.

"I am to go on a journey for him, and attend to some business."

"That's cu'rus. What can a boy like you do?"

"You must ask him."

"Can't you put him off for a week? I haven't got nobody to fill your place."

"You might get Richard Childs, but you would have to pay him more. He is a good, strong boy."

"Yes, he might do; but I should like to keep you a week longer."

"It will be impossible, Mr. Tubbs."

When Gerald left the grocery in the evening with three dollars in his pocket, he felt glad to bid farewell to a place that he had found so disagreeable.

CHAPTER XVII

GERALD LEAVES PORTVILLE

On his way to church the next day Gerald fell in with Richard Childs, a stout, manly boy of sixteen.

"I want to speak to you, Gerald," said Richard. "Mr. Tubbs has offered me a place in his store. I don't want to accept it till I learn whether I am depriving you of employment."

"No, Dick. I have given Mr. Tubbs notice that I must leave him."

"Are you going back to school?"

"No; I am offered employment by Mr. Nugent."

Richard looked puzzled.

"What does he want with a boy?"

"I am going to travel for him on business. You mustn't ask particulars, for the business is private."

"All right. Then I will accept; but I have told Mr. Tubbs he must pay me four dollars."

"What did he say?"

"He talked for an hour, but my father backed me up, and he will have to pay it."

Mrs. Lane and Abel made various attempts to draw from Gerald the name of the place to which he was going, but he steadfastly refused to tell.

"I don't know but I shall refuse my consent to your going," said his stepmother.

"In that case you will have me at home doing nothing."

"I might send you back to Mr. Tubbs."

"He has already engaged Richard Childs in my place."

"I wish I were going with you," said Abel. "It is awfully stupid in Portville."

"I will bring you home a present, Abel," said Gerald.

Abel brightened up. He was naturally an avaricious boy, and was ready to accept whatever came his way.

"Then I hope you'll come back soon," he said.

"Thank you!"

The train on which Gerald was to be a passenger was to leave Portville at ten o'clock. Gerald had an invitation to breakfast at Mr. Nugent's in order to receive final instructions and to be provided with money.

"I have but fifty dollars here, Gerald," said the old gentleman, "but I will give you a check on the Park National Bank of New York for a hundred and fifty. Probably that will be sufficient for you till you reach your destination."

"It seems to me a good deal of money, Mr. Nugent."

"Traveling is expensive, and it is not necessary for you to be economical. I want you to be comfortable. It will be best for you to carry your money in different places, not all in your pocketbook. Have you an inside pocket in your vest?"

"Yes, sir, but I never made any use of it."

"I will get my housekeeper to attach a button and make a button-hole, for better security. You can wear one of my vests while she is doing it."

"Shall I have any difficulty in drawing the money from the bank?"

"No; I will indorse the check and make it payable to you."

He drew a check for one hundred and fifty dollars, and indorsed it in this way. On the back he wrote: "Correct. John Nugent."

"You will have no trouble now," he said. "You will reach New York before twelve o'clock, and may as well cash the check and buy your ticket to Chicago. For the balance of the day you can go about wherever you please. I advise you to be careful and prudent, as you will have a considerable amount of money in your possession."

When Gerald reached the railroad station he found Abel on the platform. Abel followed him to the ticket office and listened while he called for a ticket to New York.

"So you're going to New York?" he said.

"Yes," answered Gerald.

"I wish ma would let me go with you. I s'pose you'll be back before the end of the week?"

"I don't know how long it will take to attend to Mr. Nugent's business."

"When you get through that you'll be out of work," said Abel, with pleased anticipation.

"I won't count so far ahead as that. Well, there is the train. Good-by!"

"So long! Write to me, if you get a chance."

"I can't promise."

The train started, and Abel watched it till it was out of sight.

"I wish I knew where Gerald is going, and what he is going to do. I wonder if there is work enough for two? I've a great mind to call on old Nugent, and ask him."

Mr. Nugent was considerably surprised when the servant came up and told him a boy was below who wished to see him.

"It can't be Gerald Lane come back!" he said to himself.

When Abel entered the room Mr. Nugent was glad to find that this suspicion was unfounded.

"Good morning, young man," he said. "Do you wish to see me?"

"Yes, sir."

"I don't think I know you."

"I am Abel Tyler, stepbrother of Gerald Lane."

"Oh, yes! I think I saw you yesterday in Mrs. Lane's pew."

"I just saw Gerald off for New York."

"And came to tell me of it? You are very kind."

"Yes, sir. I suppose Gerald is goin' to attend to some business for you in New York?"

"Yes," replied the old gentleman, quietly.

"I thought perhaps there might be business enough for two persons. In that case I should be very glad to join him, and help."

"You are very considerate. Should that be the case I can send for you."

"Yes, sir," answered Abel, eagerly.

"I suppose your mother would not object to your undertaking it?"

"No, sir. I know New York better than Gerald. He has never been there more than two or three times."

"I will bear that in mind."

John Nugent resumed reading the morning paper, and Abel felt that he was dismissed. He rose, and, bidding Mr. Nugent good-by in an airy manner, left the house.

"That may lead to something," he said to himself, complacently. "The old man seemed rather struck by my appearance."

It is just as well that Abel did not know how Mr. Nugent had really been impressed. On the way home he stepped into the grocery.

"Well, Mr. Tubbs, I've just seen Gerald off," he said.

"Where has he gone?" asked the grocer, not without curiosity.

"He has gone to New York to attend to some business for Mr. Nugent."

"Business! A boy like that! The old man must be crazy."

"I think so myself. However, it's a good thing for Gerald."

"I don't know about that. It won't take more'n a week likely."

"Well, that's something."

"And then he'll be out of work. He'd better have remained with me."

"That's what ma thought, but Gerald is very obstinate."

"He'll be comin' and ask me to take him back," said Mr. Tubbs, "but I don't know as I can. I've got a boy. Richard, you may take a bushel of potatoes over to Mrs. Scott's. There may be some other articles to take out. You can ask Mr. Brandon."

"Are you going to ride?" asked Abel.

"Yes; I shall go in the wagon."

"May I go with you?"

"If you want to," answered Richard, with no great alacrity.

Meanwhile Gerald kept on his way to the great city. He enjoyed the trip, and his spirits rose as he sped rapidly on. At length he reached the Grand Central depot, and left the train along with the rest of the passengers.

Just outside he fell in with a bootblack, a lively specimen of the New York gamin.

"Have a shine, country?" he asked.

Gerald smiled.

"I blacked my boots before I came away."

"Do you call that a shine?" said the boy, disdainfully. "You don't understand the business."

"Can you do better?"

"I'll shine 'em up so you can see your face in 'em."

"Go ahead, then."

The boy started in, and was as good as his word.

"How's that?" he asked.

"It's the best shine I ever had. What do you charge?"

"Generally I get five cents, but I've got a note to meet at the bank, and I'd like ten."

"All right; you shall have it. Now, can you tell me where to find the Park National Bank?"

"That's the bank my note's in. Take them cars, and they'll carry you there."

He pointed to a car which was just then passing, and Gerald boarded it.

In less than half an hour he entered the Park Bank and made his way to the paying teller.

CHAPTER XVIII

A NEW ACQUAINTANCE

"How will you have it?" asked the teller.

"In fives and tens."

In a short time a thick roll of bills was handed to Gerald which he put in his inside vest-pocket.

A man just behind him was waiting his turn, and Gerald turned away and left the bank. He would have felt less tranquil had he known that he was being watched by a tall, thin man who was hovering near the door. When Gerald left the bank this man followed him at a distance. Gerald paused at a street stand, where there was a display of knives at low prices. He bought one with three blades for fifty cents, and turning into Ann Street, then as now occupied by pedlers displaying their stock in trade in wagons, he walked along slowly, curiously interested in the goods on exhibition.

He was looking at some wallets when the tall man, who had arranged his campaign, tapped him on the shoulder.

Gerald turned in surprise.

"How are you, Jack? When did you come to the city?" asked the man, heartily.

"You have made a mistake," said Gerald. "My name is not Jack."

"Are'n't you Jack Mortimer of New Rochelle?" said the other in apparent surprise.

"No; my name is Gerald Lane."

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Lane, but you are the exact picture of Jack. Jack is a fine looking boy of sixteen and my very good friend."

Gerald was human, and this adroit flattery impressed him favorably.

"Then I am sorry I am not Jack," he said, smiling.

"You don't need to wish yourself any one else," said the man, significantly. "Then you don't come from New Rochelle?"

"No; I am from Portville."

"Portville?" repeated the other, musing. "I don't think I know any one in Portville. I suppose you are in the city for the day?"

"I may stay longer."

"I wish you could spare time to call at my house. I should like to have my wife see you. She knows Jack Mortimer well, and I am curious to see whether she would be deceived by the resemblance as I was. By the way, let me introduce myself. My name is Brand—William Brand."

"I am glad to have met you, Mr. Brand."

"Don't you think you could go up to my house and take lunch?"

"Where do you live?" asked Gerald.

It occurred to him that he really had nothing to occupy his time, and might find it agreeable to accept Mr. Brand's invitation.

"On West Twelfth Street, near Sixth Avenue. We could go up on the Sixth Avenue cars. If you are not familiar with New York, I might, perhaps, point out some landmarks on the way. But it is rather early. Isn't there anything I could show you down here?"

"I have always wanted to cross the Brooklyn Bridge."

"It is close at hand. Come with me and we will cross it."

"I shouldn't like to take up your time, Mr. Brand."

"Don't mention it. I am having a vacation this week, at any rate, so that it will be no inconvenience to me."

"Then I will accept your kind invitation."

The man turned and led the way up Nassau Street, and then by the World building till he reached the entrance to the bridge. Gerald surveyed it with great interest.

"There is one thing I remember in connection with the bridge," said Brand. "I was the first man to cross it on the day it was thrown open to the public."

"Is that really so?"

"Fact, I assure you. I was nearly crushed in the crowd, but I was determined that I would do it and I succeeded."

They went up the stairs and Brand bought two train-tickets, insisting on paying for both.

"If we had time we should find it agreeable to walk," he said, "but it would take a good while, and I want to take you up-town."

Gerald felt that he was in luck to have met so pleasant and obliging a companion. He did not examine Brand critically, or he might not have formed so favorable an opinion of him. He had a long, thin face, very dark, and with his eyes very near together. But Gerald was not skilled in physiognomy, and it never occurred to him to doubt the sincerity and good faith of Mr. William Brand.

As they rode over the bridge Brand pointed out different objects and buildings, and called Gerald's attention with a laugh to the enormous chair which, in those days, was near the Brooklyn terminus of the bridge.

"That is the mayor's chair," he said.

"He must be an unusually large man," said Gerald, "if he requires so large a chair."

When they reached Brooklyn they walked a short distance on Fulton Street, and then Brand proposed to return.

"Brooklyn is a large city," he said, "and we can't undertake to see it in a few minutes. We will take the cars back, and then go to my house up-town."

"Very well, Mr. Brand," replied Gerald.

They boarded a return car, Brand paying the fare again.

"I don't want you to pay for me, Mr. Brand," said Gerald.

"Oh, that's all right," said Brand, carelessly. "You may pay on the Sixth Avenue cars on the other side."

"You are certainly very kind to me."

"Don't mention it. You don't seem like a stranger; you seem so much like Bill Mortimer."

"I thought you said his name was Jack Mortimer."

"So it is. I am very shaky on names. Perhaps it is because I am getting old."

This seemed a plausible explanation of his slip of the tongue, and Gerald accepted it.

They left the bridge and crossed the City Hall Park. While crossing it Brand was accosted by an ill-looking man with a cast in his eye.