But his words were heard by Dr. Stone, who had returned sooner than he anticipated, and was already at the door of the room.  He was a powerful man, and of quick temper.  His answer was to seize Ford by the collar and fling him downstairs.

“This will teach you to be more polite to a lady,” he said.  “Now, what does all this mean, and who is this man?”

The explanation was given.

“I wish I had been here before,” said the doctor.

“You were in good time,” said Grant, smiling.  “I see that Herbert has found powerful friends.”

Willis Ford, angry and humiliated, picked himself up, but did not venture to return to the room he had left so ignominiously.  Like most bullies, he was a coward, and he did not care to encounter the doctor again.

Within an hour, Grant telegraphed to the broker at his office:  “I have found Herbert, and will start for New York with him to-morrow.”  Mr. Reynolds had only just returned from his fruitless Southern expedition, weary and dispirited.  But he forgot all his fatigue when he read this message.  “God bless Grant Thornton!” he ejaculated.

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE HOUSEKEEPER’S RETRIBUTION

The train from Chicago had just reached the Grand Central Depot.  From the parlor car descended two boys who are well known to us, Grant Thornton and Herbert Reynolds.

Herbert breathed a sigh of satisfaction.

“Oh, Grant,” he said, “how glad I am to see New York once more!  I wonder if papa knows we are to come by this train?”

The answer came speedily.

The broker, who had just espied them, hurried forward, and his lost boy was lifted to his embrace.

“Thank God, I have recovered you, my dear son,” he exclaimed, fervently.

“You must thank Grant, too, papa,” said the little boy.  “It was he who found me and prevented Mr. Ford stealing me again.”

Mr. Reynolds grasped Grant’s hand and pressed it warmly.

“I shall know how to express my gratitude to Grant in due time,” he said.

On their way home Grant revealed to Mr. Reynolds for the first time the treachery of the housekeeper, who had suppressed Herbert’s letter to his father, and left the latter to mourn for his son when she might have relieved him of the burden of sorrow.

As Mr. Reynolds listened, his face became stern.

“That woman is a viper!” he said.  “In my house she has enjoyed every comfort and every consideration, and in return she has dealt me this foul blow.  She will have cause to regret it.”

When they entered the house Mrs. Estabrook received them with false smiles.

“So you are back again, Master Herbert,” she said.  “A fine fright you gave us!”

“You speak as if Herbert went away of his own accord,” said the broker sternly.  “You probably know better.”

“I know nothing, sir, about it.”