About ten o’clock, on the morning of his arrival, Mr. Sands entered his office. He had kept the run of the business through letters from Mr. Moore, the book-keeper; but the latter had omitted to mention Gilbert’s dismissal, and the reinstatement of John as his successor.

Mr. Sands was therefore surprised to see John in the office, with his hat off.

“Where is Gilbert?” he asked, abruptly.

John looked confused.

“He’ll tell you,” he said, pointing to his cousin.

“Have you dismissed Gilbert, Mr. Moore?” demanded Mr. Sands, abruptly.

Moore, in spite of his bravado, was a little nervous. He was apprehensive that he would not be able to convince Mr. Sands of Gilbert’s guilt.

302“I was obliged to discharge him, I am sorry to say,” he answered.

“Why did you discharge him, may I inquire?” persisted the broker.

Simon Moore, himself of a haughty disposition, flushed at the imperative tone which his employer used. It chafed him especially to be so addressed in the presence of his young cousin.

“I don’t suppose you wish to have a thief in your employ,” he answered, hastily.

“Do you charge Gilbert Greyson with being a thief?”

“I do, sir.”

“Let me know the particulars.”

Simon Moore rehearsed the story, already familiar to the reader, of the ten-dollar bill found in the pocket of Gilbert’s overcoat.

“Did he admit his guilt?” asked the broker.

“Oh, no, he brazened it out; but the proofs were overwhelming.”

“Who found the bill in Gilbert’s pocket?”

“John.”

303“Oh!” ejaculated the broker, significantly.

Simon Moore’s face flushed again.

“Let me explain,” he said.

“By all means; that is what I want.”

“Only John, who had come in to make a call on me, and Gilbert had been here. One or the other must have been the thief. I therefore asked Gilbert to search John, and John to search Gilbert. It seemed to me fair. The result showed who was the thief.”

“Upon this, you discharged Gilbert, and engaged John.”

“Yes, sir. I needed a boy, and did not dare to employ Gilbert lest there should be further and more serious losses. John being present, and understanding the duties, I engaged him.”

“John is your cousin, is he not, Mr. Moore?” asked Mr. Sands, quietly.

“Yes, sir,” said the book-keeper, looking slightly embarrassed.

“It was very fortunate for him that he happened to be at the office on that particular morning.”

304Here John thought it time to introduce himself into the conversation.

“That’s what Cousin Simon told me,” he said.

“If John had not been here, I should have been obliged to advertise for a boy,” said the book-keeper, recovering his confidence.

“Have you seen Gilbert since?” inquired Mr. Sands.

“I have,” said John, grinning.

“Where did you see him? Do you know if he has another situation?”

“Oh, yes,” said John, chuckling; “he’s set up on his own account.”

“What do you mean?”

“T’other morning I saw him selling papers near the City Hall Park.”

“Humph!”

Mr. Sands said no more, but set about examining the books. Presently he put on his hat and went out.

“What do you think he’s going to do, Cousin Simon?” asked John, anxiously.

“I guess the storm’s blown over.”

305“He didn’t seem to like it that I was here.”

“He don’t have a very high opinion of you; and I don’t blame him,” said the book-keeper, unable to restrain his sarcasm, although John was his cousin.

“Seems to me you’re pretty hard on me,” said John, aggrieved. “Do you think he’ll let me stay?”

“I think he will, if you do your duty.”

“Oh, I’ll do that fast enough,” said John, looking relieved.

“I advise you not to let Mr. Sands see you with a cigarette in your mouth.”

“Who told you I smoked cigarettes? It’s a—”