"I don't know," answered Grant, puzzled. "I suggested to him to bring the bonds to the office himself, but he said he was in haste, and offered me a dollar to attend to the matter." "This seems a mysterious case." "Excuse me, Mr. Reynolds, but I think it is plain enough," said the housekeeper, spitefully. "That boy opened my bureau drawer, and stole the bonds." "That is not true, Mr. Reynolds," exclaimed Grant, indignantly. "How did you know the bonds were offered for sale at my office to-day, Mrs. Estabrook?" inquired the broker. "My son--Willis Ford--told me." "When did you see him?" "Just now." "Is he in the house?" "Yes, sir. I left him in my room." "Ask him to be kind enough to accompany you here." The housekeeper left the room. Grant and his employer remained silent during her absence. CHAPTER XVII THE TELLTALE KEY Willis Ford entered the presence of his employer with an air of confidence which he did not feel. Knowing his own guilt, he felt ill at ease and nervous; but the crisis had come and he must meet it. "Take a seat, Mr. Ford," said Mr. Reynolds, gravely. "Your stepmother tells me that she has lost some government bonds?" "All I had in the world," moaned the housekeeper.