In fact, I may as well admit that I
was then known by another name. He wronged me deeply at that
time, being guilty of a crime which he successfully laid upon
my shoulders. No one in Groveton--no one of his recent
associates--knows the real nature of the man as well as I do."
"You prefer not to go into particulars?"
Not at present."
"At all events you can give me your advice. To suspect
amounts to little. We must bring home the crime to him.
It is here that I need your advice."
"I understand that the box contained government bonds."
"Yes."
"What were the denominations?"
"One ten thousand dollar bond, one five, and ten of one
thousand each."
"It seems to me they ought to be traced. I suppose, of course,
they were coupon, not registered."
"You are right. Had they been registered, I should have been
at no trouble, nor would the thief have reaped any advantage."
"If coupon, they are, of course, numbered. Won't that serve
as a clue, supposing an attempt is made to dispose of them?"
"You touch the weak point of my position. They are numbered,
and I had a list of the numbers, but that list has disappeared.
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