“Really, Mr. Wilkins, I don’t like to doubt the word of an old man like you; but, sir, your statement is absolutely incredible.” “It is true,” said Mrs. Gilbert. “I, too, assert the same thing.” “Then you are all in a conspiracy,” said Colonel Ross, in a passion. “And you have evidently plotted the ruin of an innocent boy,” said Mrs. Gilbert, with spirit. “You have always pretended to be poor,” continued Colonel Ross, “and now you expect me to believe that your son owns nearly three hundred dollars’ worth of bonds!” “I do, for it is true.” “Where did he get them?” “They were given him.” “Utterly absurd! People don’t often give boys such presents as that. Constable, I call on you to arrest that boy.” “Where is your warrant, Colonel?” “Arrest him on suspicion.” “I could not do it.” “Then you mean to connive at his escape?” “No; I’ll stay here to-night, if you insist upon it.” “Do so, and I will take the bonds.” “Lay them down, Colonel Ross; they are my property!” said Harry, sternly. “You can’t be allowed to take ’em, Colonel, till you prove that they are yours. One you admit is not,” said the constable. “It doesn’t matter much,” replied the Colonel, discomfited. “They will find their way back to me soon. This boy won’t take on so high a tone tomorrow.” CHAPTER XXXVIII — PHILIP’S SURPRISE “Where did that other bond come from?” thought Colonel Ross, as he wended his way homeward. “I can’t understand it. Perhaps the boy took it from some one else. It is just possible that his mother may have owned a fifty-dollar bond.” To do Colonel Ross justice, he really thought that the bonds he had discovered were his own, and he was convinced, by what his son had told him, that Harry had really entered his house on the night when the outer door had been left open and abstracted them. Philip, disappointed at not finding his friend Congreve at the hotel, took his way home, and was already in the house when his father returned. He was naturally curious to hear something of the result of his errand. “Well, father,” he said, eagerly, as the Colonel entered the room where he was seated, “what luck did you have?” “I found the bonds,” said his father, briefly. Nothing could have astonished Philip more, knowing what he did as to the manner in which they had really been disposed of. He looked the picture of amazement. “Found the bonds!” he ejaculated. “Certainly! What is there remarkable about that?” “And Harry Gilbert really had them?” said Philip, not knowing what to think. “Of course!” “Where were they found?” “In the bureau drawer in his mother’s room.” “What can it mean?” thought Philip, in a whirl of amazement. “I gave them to Congreve to carry to New York, and how in the world could Gilbert have got hold of them? There must be some mistake somewhere.” “What did Harry say when you found the bonds?” he asked. “He denied that they were mine; said they were his.” “But where could he get them?”