CHAPTER XVI GRANT FALLS UNDER SUSPICION In furtherance of his scheme to throw suspicion upon Grant, Willis Ford decided to make another call upon his stepmother the succeeding evening. It occurred to him that she might possibly connect his visit of the evening before with her loss, and he wished to forestall this. "Is Mrs. Estabrook at home?" he asked of the servant. "Yes, sir." When the housekeeper made her appearance he carefully scrutinized her face. She was calm and placid, and it was clear that she had not discovered the abstraction of the bonds. "I dare say you are surprised to see me so soon again," he commenced. "I am always glad to see you, Willis," she said. "Come upstairs." "What a pleasant room you have, mother!" "Yes, I am very comfortable. Have you had any return of your sickness?" she asked, anxiously. "No, I have been perfectly well. By the way, mother, I have a special object in calling." "What is it, Willis?" "I want to speak to you about those bonds of yours. If you will only sell them out, and invest in Erie, I am sure you will make in six months a sum equal to several years interest." "That may be, Willis, but I am very timid about taking a risk. Those bonds represent all the property I have." Willis Ford's conscience pricked him a little, when he heard her speaking thus of the property he had so heartlessly stolen; but he did not show it in his manner. "What is the date of your bonds, mother?" he asked.