"I don't think so. He is employed in New York on a small salary, but he is liberal with the little he has. He has set his heart on clearing my father's reputation. It is he who sent me on my present mission." "Does your father think that Albert Marlowe is the real thief?" "He does. In fact, he is firmly convinced of it. Now, Mr. Harding, I have told you why I wanted to find you. You have as much as told me I am right in my suspicion. You are partly responsible for my poor father's undeserved sufferings. But for you he would never have been charged with the crime. Is it not so?" "I admit it," Ralph Harding answered, slowly. "Will you tell me who put the bond into my father's pocket?" "I did." "And who prompted you to do it?" "It was the man you suspected--Albert Marlowe." "It was the proceeds of his theft that enabled him to start in business, was it not?" "You are right." "I have one more question to ask. Will you accompany me to New York and testify to this, if needful?" "But what will happen to me?" asked Harding, troubled. "My uncle bade me promise you that we will do our utmost to prevent your coming to harm. As to Albert Marlowe, we shall demand a confession from him, or we shall have him arrested, and the whole matter investigated." Ralph Harding paused for a brief space, and then said: "What are your plans if I agree to help you?" "To start for New York to-night," answered Bert, promptly. "In New York I will take you to Uncle Jacob's office, and we will decide what to do next." Harding hesitated a moment, then said: "I believe you will keep your promise, and I will put myself in your hands. I always liked your father better than Albert Marlowe, who is a very selfish man, and he has not kept his promise to me. I have reproached myself more than once for consenting to help Marlowe in his plot. It has never been out of my mind. I have been restless, unable to settle down anywhere, and have suffered punishment myself, though not as severe as has fallen upon your father. When I have made reparation, as I now have a chance to do, I shall be more contented in mind." "Can you be ready to take the evening train with me?" "Yes." "Where are you living?" "In this house." "Then we can remain together. I have not thanked you yet for coming to my help, and saving my money." "I am glad to have helped the son. It will help offset the injury I have done the father." Bert, accompanied by Ralph Harding, took the evening train for New York. Their arrival was timely, for reasons which will be shown in a later chapter. CHAPTER XXXVII. ALBERT MARLOWE MEETS HIS VICTIM.