"My wife and son treat me like a stranger," he said. "Instead of giving me a warm welcome after my long absence, they seem to be sorry to see me."
"I don't wonder much," thought Phil, but he did not say so, not being averse to drawing Brandon out on this subject.
"And that reminds me, young gentleman; I was walking behind you last evening, and I heard you say something about Grit's having a large sum of money."
"Yes; he showed me sixty dollars yesterday."
"Are you sure there was as much as that?" inquired Brandon eagerly.
"Yes, I am sure, for my cousin counted it in my presence."
"It might have belonged to some one else," suggested Brandon.
"No; I thought so myself, but Grit said it belonged to him."
"Did he say where he got it?"