Singular as it may seem, neither Harry nor his mother had thought of them, and the false inference that might be drawn from their discovery. It was natural, therefore, that each should look startled and discomposed.
“Ha! what have we here?” demanded Colonel Ross, clutching the envelope.
“Those are my property,” said Harry, who was the first to recover his self-possession.
“I will take the liberty to examine. Ha! government bonds, as I live. Constable, what do you say now?” demanded the Colonel, triumphantly.
The constable, who knew nothing of Harry’s gift, looked very uncomfortable indeed. Despite his belief in Harry’s honesty, he was staggered by this apparent evidence to the contrary.
“What is this, Mrs. Gilbert?” he asked.
“They are bonds belonging to Harry. He speaks the truth.”
“A likely story,” exclaimed Colonel Ross. “Really, Mrs. Gilbert, your conduct is most extraordinary. I begin to think you had some knowledge of your son’s act.”
“Colonel Ross, don’t you dare to insult my mother,” said Harry, so fiercely that the Colonel retreated a little, under the impression that our hero intended to make an insult upon him.
“Be careful, boy,” he warned. “I’ve caught you red-handed in the commission of a crime that may send you to State’s prison. You’d better take heed what you say!”