“You bet I did; quick, too; and was hunting all over for the gov'nor to tell him. You see, I know Langdon--he comes to the bank sometimes. He's that slick he'll hardly say 'Good-day,' for fear of giving something away.”
“Then how did you--how did people know there was something wrong?”
“Oh, a woman, of course--she blabbed. I think she's Dick Langdon's sister, and--”
“Hush-hh!” and Allis laid her hand on the boy's arm, indicating with her eyes the woman in the seat behind.
“You needn't bother; he knows. It's a question of honor. Father said he'd buy the horse, and he's gone to make good.”
“I wouldn't; that sort of thing will break a man.”
“It's a good way to go broke, Alan. Perhaps we'd all be richer if it wasn't so strong in the Porter blood; but all the same, brother, you do just as father is doing to-day--always keep your word. I tell you what it is, boy”--and her face lighted up as she spoke--“father is a hero--that's what he is; he's just the biggest, bravest man ever lived. He couldn't do a mean act. How did you get away from the bank, Alan?” she said, changing the subject; “I didn't know you were coming to-day.”
“Mortimer was light, and took on my work. He's a good sort.”
The boy laughed. “Mortimer bet? That's rich. We call him 'Old Solemnity' in the bank; but he doesn't mean any harm by it--he just can't help it, that's all. If he had a stiff ruff about his neck, you could pose him for a picture of one of those old Dutch burgomasters.”
“He's doing your work, and you're making fun of him, boy.”
“You can't make fun of him, at him, or with him; he's a grave digger; but you can trust him.”
“If I'd killed a man and needed a friend to help me out, I'd go straight to Mortimer; he's got that kind of eyes. Do you know why he's doing my work to-day?”
“Because you recited that doggerel about The Run of Crusader.”
“Alan! I've never spoken to Mr. Mortimer.”
“That's why he choked the butcher the night of the concert--I mean--”
“I'm not, I know when a man's interested. Hello. Blest if the Boss isn't coming this way--there's Crane. See, Allis? I've a notion to tell him that his trainer is a crook.”
“No, you won't, Alan--you're too young to gabble.”
Philip Crane had evidently intended going higher up in the stand, but his eye lighting on the brother and sister, he stopped, and turned in to where they were sitting.