"
"Knowing it all, you elected me to be president of the company!" gasped
Mr. Bascomb, as though he could not believe his ears or his senses.
"Now, let us hear no more about it," urged Mr. Prenter, cordially. "If I
listened just now---if I played the part of the eavesdropper, allow me to
explain my conduct by saying that I, too, was present to-night when you
talked with Evarts. I heard, and I knew that Reade and his friend heard.
I listened, just now, in order that I might make sure that Thomas Reade,
engineer, is a man of honor at all times. And now, let no one say a word
more."
Some one else was coming. All on the porch turned and waited to see who it
was. Out of the shadows came a hang-dog looking sort of fellow.
"Is Mr. Bascomb here?" asked the newcomer.
"I am Mr. Bascomb," spoke the president.
"Here's a note for you," said the man, handing over an envelope.
Tom stepped inside, got a lantern and lighted it, placing it upon the porch
table. With the aid of this illumination Mr. Bascomb read the brief note
directed to him.
"It's from Evarts," said the president, looking up with a quiet laugh.
"He commands me to come to him at once, in his cell, and to arrange some
way of getting out.
Pages:
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221