Accordingly, when the store closed, he did not offer to go out with Gerald, but said: "I am not quite ready to go yet." This suited Gerald, who had intended to call on Mr. Nugent to ask his advice. He therefore said "Good night!" and walked away. Brandon watched him go up the road, and then reentering the store just as his employer was ready to leave, said: "Can you stop a minute, Mr. Tubbs?" "Certainly. What is it?" "I have something to say to you—something important." "Indeed!" said the grocer, surprised. "Have you—missed any money within a few days?" "I can't say. Why do you ask?" "Because I saw something to-day that startled me. Do you think Gerald is honest?" "Bless my soul, of course! He comes of a good family. His father was highly respected." "That may be; but there are plenty of boys and men belonging to respectable families who cannot be relied upon." "What did you see? What makes you suspect the boy?" "I saw him take a bill from the drawer this afternoon. Suppose you examine it, and see if you miss anything." The grocer opened the drawer hastily. "I can't tell," he said, slowly. "I didn't keep track of the bills in the drawer." "I did. There was a five-dollar bill paid by Mr. Bacon for a barrel of flour." "So there was, Brandon—so there was." "See if you can find the five-dollar bill in the drawer." "No, I can't," returned Mr. Tubbs, after a brief examination. "Then that was the bill the boy took." "I can't believe it; so young, too, and so honest-looking!" "He is evidently very artful," said Brandon. "I am sorry, Mr. Tubbs, I am really sorry to be obliged to inform against him, but I felt it to be my duty." "You are a good fellow, Brandon," said the grocer, grasping his hand. "You have done what you ought to do. I feel that you are a true friend." "I try to be, sir; but I will own that I had a selfish motive." "What is it?" "I thought if you missed the bill you might suspect me." "No, Brandon; I could hardly do that, after the long time you have been with me." "Yes, sir, I have been in your employ five years, and I humbly hope that you have found me faithful, sir." "Yes, Brandon," said the deceived grocer, "I have always found you faithful." Brandon laughed in his sleeve. He found his task easier than he had supposed it would be. Mr. Tubbs was a ready dupe. "It seems terrible," said the grocer. "What would his poor father have said if he had lived to know of the boy's dishonesty?" "Perhaps if his father had lived he would not have stolen." "What do you think I ought to do, Brandon? Would you advise me to have him arrested?" "No, sir. Ask him to return the bill he took from the drawer. If he denies having taken it, you will know what to think." "True; your advice is good. I will speak to him to-morrow morning. Thank you, for telling me what you saw." The store was closed, and the two went in different directions—Mr. Tubbs towards his home, Brandon to the billiard-room.