"It didn't amount to much."
And, sitting down, Hal related all that had occurred.
"Dick Ferris must be a very wicked boy," remarked the broker, when Hal had finished. "But about these slips that he is going to have printed. Are you positive Mr. Allen gave them to him?"
"No, sir. But I think he did. He gave Ferris something and some money, and Ferris lost no time in getting to the printing establishment."
"Humph!" Mr. Sumner mused for a moment. "I can hardly believe it, even though the evidence seems plain enough."
"What are the slips?" asked Hal, with considerable curiosity.
"They are of the kind which we use in our daily business. Since Mr. Allen and myself agreed to end our limited partnership, I have kept the regular slips in my safe. Formerly they were in Hardwick's charge, where both of us could have easy access to them, but now—well, to be plain, I allow no business to be conducted unless under my supervision."
"And that is right, Mr. Sumner."
"Now, if Mr. Allen is really having these extra slips printed, it would seem as if he—he——"
"Intended to make use of them without consulting you," finished Hal, bluntly.