In order the better to accomplish this object, the boy turned off Main Street.
"That was a wise move," complimented Mr. Bronson. "I want you to drive me to Mr. James Newcomb's. Your father told me he lived out of the village."
"About a mile," replied Fred.
"What sort of a man is he?"
"Hard as nails."
"H'm. Is he fond of money?"
"Yes."
"Good." And, as he noticed the look of entreaty in the boy's eyes, Mr. Bronson continued: "A very good friend of your father's has almost secured control of the stock of Montgomery's bank. I have the power to vote this stock. But I want five more shares, which I hope to get from Newcomb. If I do, I shall call a meeting of the directors, oust Montgomery, elect myself president, and start an investigation of the bank's books—which I am convinced will give us the evidence we need to proceed against Montgomery and Gibbs."
"But how will that help father?"
"The books will show when the money on your father's check was paid. I hope also to find the check—which Montgomery refused to surrender—to be compared with Gibbs' writing. By the way, Gibbs was in Manchester trying to borrow money under an assumed name."