No one spoke as he withdrew from the room, and not even Morrison offered to follow him.

When he was fairly out of the room, the broker turned to Morrison.

“Mr. Morrison,” he said, “I have a question or two to put to you.  I think you will find it to your interest to answer correctly.  Do you still maintain that these bonds were given you by Grant Thornton?”

“I may as well make a clean breast of it,” said Morrison.  “They were given me by Willis Ford.”

“To satisfy a gambling debt, was it not?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I take it for granted you did not know they were stolen?”

“If I had known it I wouldn’t have touched them.  I might have been suspected of stealing them myself.”

“I believe you.”

“You’re a gentleman,” said Morrison, gratified that his word was accepted.

“Of course you have lost the amount which you consider due you.  To be entirely candid with you, I do not feel any sympathy with you.  Money won at play must be classed among ill-gotten gains.  I hope you will realize this, and give up a discreditable profession.”

“I have no doubt your advice is good, sir.  Do you want me and Tom any longer?”

“You are at liberty to go.  I am indebted to you for coming.  You have helped to clear up the mystery of the theft.”

“He’s a little hard on us, Tom,” said Morrison, as they went down the front steps, “but he’s treated us like a gentleman.  That Ford is a rascal.”

“I think so, too,” Tom assented.

“And I shall never see a cent of that six hundred dollars,” continued Jim Morrison, ruefully.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go to my own room,” said Mrs. Estabrook, pertly.  “I want to think quietly of all this.”

“Go, by all means,” said the broker, courteously.  “To-morrow morning your property shall be restored to you.”

Next the detective and the telegraph boy withdrew, the latter rich by a five-dollar note, which Mr. Reynolds presented him.

Johnny’s eyes sparkled.

“That will make mother happy,” he said.  “She’ll think I am in luck.”

“Keep your eyes open, my boy, and be faithful to your employer, and this won’t be the last piece of luck that will come your way.”

When they were alone Mr. Reynolds turned to Grant and said kindly, “I congratulate you, Grant, on your complete vindication.  Those who have wickedly conspired against you have come to grief, and you come out of the trial unscathed.  As I am to part with Willis Ford, though you are not competent to take his place, your duties will be somewhat enlarged, and I will take care that your compensation shall be increased.”

“I am afraid, Mr. Reynolds, I already receive more than I earn.”

“That may be, but I am only anticipating a little.  How much do I pay you now?”

“Six dollars a week, sir.”

“I will allow you four dollars more, but this additional sum I will keep in my own hands, and credit you with.  It is time you were saving something for future use.  Will this be satisfactory to you?”