"Yes," said that gentleman, looking over his glasses, "that is my name. Do you want to speak to me?"
"I come from Mr. Turner, the banker," said Rufus.
"Ah, yes; Mr. Turner is my man of business. Well, what message do you bring to me from him?"
"I bring bad news, Mr. Vanderpool," said our hero.
"Eh, what?" ejaculated Mr. Vanderpool, nervously.
"A tin box belonging to you was stolen this morning."
"Bless my soul! How did that happen?" exclaimed the rich man, in dismay.
Rufus gave the account, already familiar to the reader, of the attack which had been made upon him.
"Why," said Mr. Vanderpool, "there were fifty thousand dollars' worth of property in that box. That would be a heavy loss."
"There is no danger of losing all that," said Rufus. "The money I suppose will be lost, and perhaps the government bonds may be disposed of; but that will only amount to about fifteen hundred dollars. The thief can't do anything with the stocks and shares."