Hardwick glanced toward the iron box. Then he turned and faced Hal.
"You were here alone yesterday afternoon," he said, sternly.
"Did you leave him here alone?" cried Mr. Sumner.
"I am sorry to say I did, but it was only for a few minutes," replied the book-keeper. "I called around to Mack & Heath's for that Rock Island circular."
Hal grew red in the face.
"Mr. Sumner," he began, "I hope you do not think——"
"I think that boy robbed the safe," interrupted Hardwick, pointing to Hal. "I thought it was a mistake to take such a stranger into the place."
At these words Hal's eyes flashed fire.
"That is a falsehood!" he cried, indignantly. "I never went near the safe, excepting to dust the outside."
Mr. Sumner clasped and unclasped his hands nervously. The ring in the youth's voice made him hesitate as to how to proceed.