"Very well; then you shall know all about it in a very little while."
Uncle Ellis looked much relieved. A bit of color was coming back to his cheek, and he rose to his feet with a little more steadiness.
"I shall rely on you both to protect my good name," he said, in parting. "Good-night." And he walked from the room.
Ray drew a long sigh when he had gone.
"Clyde, is it true," he asked, "that uncle has lost ten thousand dollars?"
"Yes, Ray. I wouldn't have believed it had I not heard him confess it with his own lips. He took it from the money that father left us and sunk it in speculating."
"One more thing, Clyde. Why did you want to count the money we have? You said it was for something very important."
"And so it is. Ray, you and I have got lots of work ahead of us. But I mustn't stop to tell you about it now. Uncle is not telling the truth, and is up to something, I am sure. I must find out what it is. He won't let the night pass without hatching up some scheme to pull the wool over my eyes. You stay around here and keep watch, and if he leaves the house I will follow him."