“One hundred dollars apiece, and each worth a hundred and fifteen dollars, on account of the premium. Do you know anything about them?” and Colonel Ross fixed a piercing eye on his son.
“I, pa? How should I know anything about them? Why, I didn’t know exactly how they looked. When did you see them all last?”
“Last evening. I happened to count them then.”
“They must have been taken from the trunk since then.”
“Then I am almost sure I know how it happened,” said Philip, suddenly, as if a light had dawned upon him.
“I should like to have you tell me, then.”
“You remember, pa, you left the keys on the desk?”
“Yes; but there was no one here except you,” and again the father had suspicion of his son.
“I hope you don’t think I’d do such a thing as that?” said Philip, virtuously. “But I am afraid it is my fault, for I left the outside door unlocked all night. Any one might have come in and stolen the bonds.”
“That is true; but why didn’t they take more, or all? You didn’t see any one round when you went to bed, did you?”