"We have no keys of anything up in the stock-room," continued the boy.
"I know that. You can go to work," Mr. Mann snapped.
And Richard passed out.
"Either that boy is perfectly honest or else he is the most accomplished actor I ever saw," thought the merchant when left alone.
"Well, what's the trouble?" asked Frank, when Richard reached the stock-room. "I hope you haven't been discharged."
"No, it's not as bad as that, but I—I don't know what to make of it, and that's a fact."
The stock-clerk listened carefully to the story Richard had to tell.
"Depend upon it there is something in the wind. You had better watch
Norris; he may be getting you into trouble."
"I half wish I had told the firm of Norris's actions," said Richard.
"Perhaps it would have been best," replied Frank.