Less than an hour later Macklin was taken to the police station in his own coach and locked up.
As soon as this was accomplished Hal lost no time in making his way to Horace Sumner's elegant mansion.
It was now quite late, and only a single light gleamed out from the mansion, and that from the library, where the old broker sat, busy with his accounts.
His face was furrowed with care, and just before Hal rang the bell he heaved a deep sigh.
"Unless the tin box containing the stolen bonds is recovered I will be a ruined man!" he groaned. "It is impossible to cover the loss. Allen has ruined me, and even though he tries to use those slips, and I have him arrested, it will do no good."
The ring at the bell aroused him, and, as the servants had retired, he answered the summons himself.
"What, Hal!" he cried. "You must have important news, or you would not come at this hour of the night."
"I have important news, Mr. Sumner," replied the youth. "And I came because I want your assistance the first thing in the morning."
"You shall have it, Hal. But what news do you bring? Come into the library and tell me."
The two passed into the sumptuously-furnished apartment, and, seated by the open grate fire, the youth told of all that had occurred since he had obtained employment at Allen & Parsons'.