"Don't! don't!" cried Mr. Sumner, in great alarm.
"The miserable tramp!" cried Hardwick. "I'll teach him to call a gentleman a thief."
He continued his choking process, paying no attention to his employer's efforts to haul him away.
But by this time Hal began to realize that Hardwick was in earnest. He began to kick, and presently landed a blow in the book-keeper's stomach that completely winded the man.
Hardwick relaxed his hold, and Hal sprang away.
"Stop! stop!" ordered Mr. Sumner. "I will not have such disgraceful scenes in this office."
"But he intimated I was a thief," said Hardwick, trying to catch his wind.
"And he said the same of me," retorted Hal.
"So you are!"
"I never stole a thing in my life, Mr. Sumner." Hal turned to the broker. "And I am not a tramp."