“You are entirely mistaken, Mrs. Estabrook,” said Grant, indignantly.
“Of course you say so!” retorted the housekeeper; “but it stands to reason that that is the way it happened. You took them and gave them to this man—that is, if there is such a man.”
“Your son says there is, Mrs. Estabrook,” said the broker, quietly.
“Well, I don't intend to say how it happened. Likely enough the man is a thief, and that boy is his accomplice.”
“You will oblige me by not jumping at conclusions, Mrs. Estabrook,” said Mr. Reynolds. “Whoever has taken the bonds is likely to be discovered. Meanwhile your loss will, at all events, be partially made up, since Grant has the money realized from the sale of the greater part of them.”
“I should like to place the money in your hands, Mr. Reynolds,” said Grant.
“But it belongs to me,” said the housekeeper.
“That is undoubtedly true,” said her employer; “but till the matter is ascertained beyond a doubt I will retain the money.”
“How can there be any doubt?” asked the housekeeper, discontented.
“I do not think there is; but I will tell you now. You claim that your bonds were marked by certain numbers, two of which belong to those which were bought by Mr. Ford at the office to-day?”