"Yes; it's a most incredible story," said Savage. "As if any one could pass the gatehouse without rousing you! But you'll see; he will try to pass it off as truth. Where is he now?" "In bed. I told him to stay there. He does not seem fit for work." "That's right!" and Savage hurried away. After sleeping for a couple of hours, poor Reuben woke, feeling refreshed. He rose and dressed quickly. The discovery of the morning weighed upon his mind, and he could not rest till he had told all to Mr. Akenside. As he went downstairs, he heard the clock strike ten, and was dismayed to think it was so late. "Well, lad," said Samuel cheerfully, "do you feel all right now?" "Yes, all right, thank you," said Reuben, and hurried out, as if on his way to work. As he passed one of the workshops, Reuben was surprised to see Nat Savage standing within, giving orders in his usual sharp manner. He cast a suspicious glance at Reuben, but made no attempt to stay him. Reuben made his way to the office, where he hoped at this hour to find Mr. Akenside; nor was he disappointed. Mr. Akenside's voice it was that bade him enter in response to his knock. "Oh, it's you, Reuben Roy, is it?" said Mr. Akenside. His voice was cold and stern. But Reuben did not observe it. He was too full of the disclosure he had to make. He began his story tremulously, but he had not got to the end when Mr. Akenside checked him. "That will do, Reuben Roy," he said sternly. "It is a very ingenious fabrication, no doubt, but you cannot deceive me by it. I am sorry to say that Mr. Savage has just told me of the discovery he has made that some one has managed to gain an entrance into the storehouse and carry off some of the goods, and that he suspects you of being the thief." For a few moments Reuben was too astounded to speak. "'Me!'" he exclaimed at last. "Mr. Savage dared to say he suspected me! Why, I saw him myself, last night, removing things from the warehouse." "No more lies, if you please, Reuben," said Mr. Akenside sadly; "you cannot suppose that I should believe your word rather than that of Nathaniel Savage, who has been my faithful servant for more than twenty years." "But, sir, I am telling you the very truth," said Reuben desperately; "God knows it is no lie." "There, there, that will do," said Mr. Akenside. "If it be indeed the truth, Reuben, you will not mind our searching your room at the gatehouse." "Search it, by all means, if you wish, sir," said Reuben eagerly. "You will not find anything there that does not belong to me." "Very well; I shall be glad to satisfy myself that it is so," said Mr. Akenside. "So we will go to your room at once, Reuben." As they passed out of the office, Mr. Akenside called one of the men to accompany him. Reuben, his face flushed with indignation, led the way, eager to clear himself of the imputation of dishonesty.