When Harry entered the office of Mr. Wheeler, the lawyer was engaged with a client. He nodded pleasantly to our hero, and said:
“I shall be at leisure very soon. You will find the morning paper on that table.”
When his interview with the client was over, he beckoned to Harry to approach.
“Well,” he said, “thanks to your good management, we have triumphantly succeeded. The stolen property is recovered, and the thieves are in custody.”
“It was not so much good management as good luck,” said Harry.
“Partly both; but, however that may be, the owner of the property authorizes me to make a substantial acknowledgment for the service you have rendered him. Let me see—the reward offered was two hundred and fifty dollars.”
“That’s too much, sir.”
“The gentleman who gives it does not think so. Indeed, he authorizes me to somewhat exceed it. In this envelope”—here the lawyer produced a large-size package—“you will find two one-hundred-dollar government bonds and one fifty. The value of the three, at present prices, is nearer three hundred dollars than two hundred and fifty. I need not caution you to take good care of them.”
“Are they for me?” asked Harry, his cheeks flushing with pleasure.
“Yes; they are six per cent. bonds, and will bring you fifteen dollars a year in interest—not quite enough to live upon,” the lawyer added, with a smile, “but something to add to your income.”