CHAPTER XII.
THE STEPPING STONE.
HUS it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell. His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.
"Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars. I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."
"What is all this about?" asked bewildered Mr. Stephens. "Come in, my boy, and tell me what is the matter."
And presently Tode was seated in one of the great arm-chairs in Mr. Stephens' private room.
"Now, what is it, my lad, that has brought you to me at this hour of the night?" questioned that gentleman.