"You told the truth," said Mrs. Lufkin. "And you can see right where your money would go if you were to surrender it."
"But, mother, I have an idea in my head that he is going to work at something else. Why didn't he rant and swear, and go on as he usually does when he asks money of you?"
"I looked to see him do it, but fortunately he did not."
"And that's what makes me think he is up to something. I do not know what it is, but I believe I will keep watch of him."
With the words Hank jumped off the porch and followed down the road after his father. In a few minutes he came within sight of him. There was Joe Lufkin, walking along with his head up, and acting for all the world like a man who was going somewhere on business. He had got out of reach of his wife and son, and consequently was able to conduct himself as he always did. There was nothing at all the matter with him.
"I guess father is all right," said Hank, as he turned toward the house. "He won't get any money in going down there, for everybody is on the lookout for him. Now, I must get my nerve up against he comes back. He may have something more decided to say then."
CHAPTER XXII.
THE TELEGRAM.
"Hank has got it!" said Joe Lufkin, as he took long strides toward the village. "He didn't try to lie me out of it at all. When I told him that he had a pearl worth two hundred dollars he was completely dumfounded. I reckon he'll wonder how I found it out. He's got it, as sure as the world! Now I'm going to try Gibbons. It can't be that a boy can give his money into another's hands, as Hank has done with Bob, and so shut me out of the whole of it. At any rate, that's a point I am going to have settled."
Joe was a rapid walker, and in due time he reached Mr. Gibbons's steps. As he ascended them he drew on his long face again, and when he opened the lawyer's door a stranger would have supposed that he had nothing to live for. He found Mr. Gibbons there with his feet perched upon the desk, and he had a legal document in his hand.
"Howdy," said Joe, taking off his hat and making a profound bow.