“Your step-mother is certainly an unscrupulous woman,” said Mr. Carter. “Doubtless she has left your old town in order to escape accountability to you for your stolen inheritance. What puzzles me however, is her leaving behind such tell-tale evidence. It is a remarkable oversight. Do you think she is aware of the existence of the will?”
“I think she must be, though I hope not,” answered Phil. “I should like to think that she had not conspired to keep back my share of father's estate.”
“At any rate, the first thing to do is evidently to find her out, and confront her with the evidence of her crime—that is, supposing her to be really culpable.”
“Then you approve of my going to Chicago?” said Phil.
“Most emphatically. Nay, more—I will go with you.”
“Will you indeed, sir?” said Phil joyfully. “You are very kind. I shrank from going alone, being a boy ignorant of business.”
“A pretty shrewd boy, however,” said Mr. Carter, smiling. “I don't claim much credit, however, as I have some interests in Chicago to which I can attend with advantage personally. I am interested in a Western railroad, the main office of which is in that city.”
“When shall we go, sir?”
“To-morrow,” answered Mr. Carter promptly. “The sooner the better. You may go down town and procure the necessary tickets, and engage sleeping-berths.”
Here followed the necessary directions, which need not be repeated.