CHAPTER III. 

A SERIOUS CHARGE. 

"What do you want?" asked Hardwick abruptly. 

"Is Mr. Sumner in?" returned Hal. 

"No." 

"Then I'll wait till he comes." 

Hardwick stared at Hal. 

"Won't I do?" he asked sharply. 

"I'm afraid not, sir." 

"What do you want to see him about?" 

"He asked me to call," replied the youth. He was not particularly pleased with Hardwick's manner. 

"I am the book-keeper here, and I generally transact business during Mr. Sumner's absence." 

"Mr. Sumner asked me to meet him here at ten o'clock." 

"Oh! You know him, then?" 

"Not very well." 

"I thought not." Hardwick glanced at Hal's shabby clothes. "Well, you had better wait outside until he comes. We don't allow loungers about the office." 

"I will," said Hal, and he turned to leave. 

It was bitter cold outside, but he would have preferred being on the sidewalk than being in the way, especially when such a man as Felix Hardwick was around. 

But, as he turned to leave, a coach drove up to the door, and Mr. Sumner alighted. His face lit up with a smile when he caught sight of Hal. 

"Well, my young friend, I see you are on time," he said, catching Hal by the shoulder, and turning him back into the office. 

"Yes, sir." 

"That's right." Mr. Sumner turned to Hardwick. "Where is Dick?" he asked. 

"I don't know, sir," returned the book-keeper. 

"Hasn't he been here this morning?" 

"I think not." 

"The sidewalk ought to be cleaned. That boy evidently doesn't want work." 
and what did he do?
I am the book-keeper here, and I generally transact business during Mr. Sumner's absence." 