“I think you are safe,” said Willis Ford, secretly amused.  But, as he left the house, he felt seriously disquieted.  There was danger that Jim Morrison, when he found the money which he was to receive withheld, would be incensed and denounce Ford, who had received back his evidence of indebtedness.  Should he divulge that the bonds had been given him by Ford, Grant would be cleared, and he would be convicted of theft.

As Ford was leaving the house a telegraph boy was just ascending the steps.  It was John Cava-nagh, already referred to.

As his eyes rested on Ford, he said to himself:  “Where have I seen that feller?  I know his face.”

Then it flashed upon the boy that he had seen Ford at the Grand Central Hotel, in the act of giving bonds to Jim Morrison.

“It’s queer I should meet him here,” said the telegraph boy to himself.  “I wonder what game he’s up to.”

Johnny was introduced into the presence of Mr. Reynolds, for whom he had a message.  On his way out he met Grant in the hall.  The two boys were acquainted, Grant having at one time advanced Johnny two dollars toward paying his mother’s rent.

“Do you live here?” asked the telegraph boy.

“Yes,” answered Grant.

“I met a feller goin’ out that I’ve seen before.  Who was it?”

“Willis Ford, a clerk of Mr. Reynolds.”

“I seed him in the Grand Central Hotel yesterday givin’ some bonds to a suspicious-lookin’ chap.”

“You did,” exclaimed Grant.  “Come right up and tell that to Mr. Reynolds,” and he seized the astonished telegraph boy by the arm.

CHAPTER XIX

IMPORTANT EVIDENCE

Mr. Reynolds looked rather surprised when Grant appeared, drawing the telegraph boy after him.

“This boy has got something to tell you about Mr. Ford,” said Grant, breathless with excitement.

“About Mr. Ford?” repeated the broker.  “What do you know about Willis Ford?”

“I don’t know his name,” replied Johnny.  “It’s the chap that just went out of the house.”

“It was Mr. Ford,” explained Grant.

“Tell me what you know about him,” said the broker, encouragingly.

“I seed him in the Grand Central Hotel, givin’ some bond to a flashy-lookin’ man.  There was a boy wid him, a big boy.”

“With whom—­Mr. Ford?”

“No, wid the other chap.”

“I know who he means, sir,” said Grant.  “It was Tom Calder.”

“And the man?”

“Was Jim Morrison, the same man that gave me the bonds to sell.”

“That seems important,” said Mr. Reynolds.  “I did not believe Ford capable of such rascality.”

“He had as good a chance to take the bonds as I, sir.  He was here last evening.”

“Was he?” asked the broker, quickly.  “I did not know that.”

“He was here for an hour at least.  I saw him come in and go out.”