Harry evaded answering the question, and the other two salesmen, who were very intimate and whose tastes and amusements were very much alike, continued their conversation. They were evidently aware that something unusual had occurred, or was about to occur. Soon after, a person appeared at the counter and purchased a dozen spools of cotton, offering two half dollars in payment. Harry kept his eye upon the money drawer, but nothing was discovered. From what he knew of Edward's mode of life, he was prepared to believe that he was the guilty person. The experiment was tried for three days in succession before any result was obtained. The coins were always found in the drawer; but on the fourth day, when they were very busy, and there was a great deal of money in the drawer, Harry distinctly observed Edward, while making change, take several coins from the till. The act appalled him; he forgot the customer to whose wants he was attending, and hastened to inform Mr. Wake of the discovery. "Where are you going, Harry?" asked Edward, as he passed him. "Only to the office," replied he; and his appearance and manner might have attracted the attention of any skillful rogue. "Come, Harry, don't leave your place," added Edward, playfully grasping him by the collar, on his return. "Don't stop to fool, Edward," answered Harry, as he shook him off and took his place at the counter again. He was very absent-minded the rest of the forenoon, and his frame shook with agitation as he heard Mr. Wake call Edward shortly after. But he trembled still more when he was summoned also, for it was very unpleasant business. "Of course, you will not object to letting me see the contents of your pockets, Edward," said Mr. Wake, as Harry entered the office. "Certainly not, sir;" and he turned every one of his pockets inside out. Not one of the decoy pieces was found upon him, or any other coins, for that matter; he had no money. Mr. Wake was confused, for he fully expected to convict the culprit on the spot. "I suppose I am indebted to this young man for this," continued Edward, with a sneer. "I'll bet five dollars he stole the money himself, if any has been stolen. Why don't you search him?" "Search me, sir, by all means," added Harry; and he began to turn his pockets out. From his vest pocket he took out a little parcel wrapped in a shop bill. "What's that?" said Edward. "I don't know. I wasn't aware that there was any such thing in my pocket." "I suppose not," sneered Edward. "But you seem to know more about it than Edward," remarked Mr. Wade, as he took the parcel. "I know nothing about it." The senior opened the wrapper, and to his surprise and sorrow found it contained two of the marked coins. But he was not disposed hastily to condemn Harry. He could not believe him capable of stealing; besides, there was something in Edward's manner which seemed to indicate that our hero was the victim of a conspiracy.