"Do you think I stole a watch and pawned it, Mr. Rich?" demanded Andy, with spirit.

 

"There seems to be absolute proof of your dishonesty. Will you explain how, otherwise, this pawn ticket is found in your pocket?"

 

"I can't explain it, nor can I understand it. All I can say is, that I never saw it before."

 

"You must think I am a fool to be deceived by such a story."

 

"I can't believe that Andy pawned a watch," said John Crandall, hypocritically.

 

"Will you be kind enough to inform me who did, then?" asked his uncle, with pretended severity.

 

"I can't guess."

 

"Nor any one else, I fancy. Of course, Andrew, after this proof of your dishonesty, I cannot retain you in my, or rather in Mr. Flint's employment."

 

"Mr. Rich, will you do me a favor?"

 

"What is it?"

 

"Will you go with me to the pawnbroker who issued the ticket and ask him if he ever saw me before?"

 

"I have no time to go on such a foolish errand. Can you give me the ten dollars you obtained for the watch?"

 

"I didn't obtain a dollar nor a cent for the watch. I know nothing about it."

 

"Probably you have laid it away somewhere, or spent it."

 

"That is not true, and I am sure you don't believe it yourself."

 

"No impudence, young man! I am forced to believe it. I have treated you kindly since Mr. Flint went away, and that is sufficient to show that I wish to do you no injustice. Is this true or not?"

 

"I have no fault to find with your treatment, except now."

 

"I shall continue to act as your friend. I might have you arrested, and your conviction would be certain with the evidence I have in my possession. But I will not do it. I will redeem the watch at my own expense and be content with discharging you."

 

"I believe there is a plot against me," said Andy, pale but firm. "It will come out some time. When do you wish me to go?"

 

"At once. I will pay you to the end of the week, but I could not feel safe in retaining your services any longer. John, will you oblige me by taking Andrew's place till I have a chance to secure another boy?"

 

"Yes, Uncle Simon, but I don't want to feel that I have had anything to do with Andy's discharge."

 

"You have not. No one is responsible for it but himself."

 

"Then I will stay while you need me. I don't want to leave you in a hole."

 

Simon Rich went to the money drawer and drew out a five-dollar bill.

 

"Here is your pay to the end of the week," he said.

 

"I prefer to accept pay only to to-day," replied Andy.

 

"As you please."

 

Andy walked out of the store feeling crushed and overwhelmed. He was all at sea concerning the pawn ticket. He could not understand how it got into his pocket.

 

He formed a resolution. He would go around to the pawnbroker's and see if he could obtain any information.

 

He found the pawn shop without difficulty. It was a small apartment, but seemed quite full of goods of all varieties.

 

A small man of perhaps sixty was behind the counter. Seated in a rocking-chair, sewing, an old lady was to be seen in the rear of the shop.

 

Andy had never before been in a pawn shop, and would have been interested in examining it if his errand had not been so serious.

 

He walked up to the counter.

 

"Well, young man, what is your business?" asked the old man.

 

"Do you remember lending some money on a new gold watch last Monday?"

 

"Was the watch stolen?" asked the pawnbroker, with shade of anxiety.

 

"You will have no difficulty about it. It will be redeemed."

 

"How much did I lend on it?"

 

"Ten dollars."

 

"Yes, I remember."

 

"Can you remember who brought it in?"

 

"No, except that it was a boy about your size."

 

"Did he look like me?"

 

"I can't remember. You see, I have so many customers."

 

"I remember,&qu............