"Good morning, Mr. Farrington."
"Good morning, Fred," said the latter cordially. "What brings you here this morning?"
"I came in, sir," replied Fred, with an evident sense of humiliation, "to see if you could give me work in your department."
"Why, you can't mean it! You have not left the store, I hope?"
"Yes, I do mean that I want a job, and I am sorry to say I got through in the store last night."
"You surprise me! What could have been the trouble?"
Fred knew he was now talking to a large hearted, sympathetic man, and one who had always seemed to take a keen interest in his welfare, so he related the entire incident.
Mr. Farrington watched him closely as he recited what had taken place at the store, and then the kind hearted man expressed, both by words and manner, his regret that matters should have taken such a turn. "My boy, don't look so discouraged," he said. "I will do what I can to help you. Mr. Rexford should not have judged you so hastily; from what you tell me, I can't see that he has any good proof that you are guilty."
"I am certain that I am not guilty, but how can I prove my innocence?"
"Ah, that may be difficult, as it is a mysterious affair. But I believe you have told me the truth, and I shall do all I can to help you in every way."