"I mean to tell you that somebody has been stealing!" was the reply.
"Perhaps it was Tom. A young man who will make false entries in his books would not be above taking money out of the drawer."
"No, it wasn't Tom. We have missed money since he went away."
"I don't see how you can look into Oscar's face and think him dishonest," said Mr. Parker, who was very much surprised. "I would suspect any of your clerks before I would suspect him."
"Well, I wouldn't. They have all been with me for a number of years, and I have never seen anything wrong with them. I watch my clerks pretty closely, too."
"Then I don't suppose it would be of any use for me to ask you to take Oscar back," said the lawyer, as he rose and drew on his gloves.
"It would be of no use whatever," was the prompt and decided reply. "I can't trust him, and I don't want him to touch any more of my money. I am certain that some of it has stuck to his fingers."
"That settles the matter. But mark my words. You will one day discover that you have done that boy very great injustice. Good-day, sir!"
"If I do, I shall make him all the reparation in my power," said the grocer. "Good-day, Mr. Parker!"
The lawyer was disappointed, but he was not discouraged. He did not get into his carriage again immediately, but walked the whole length of the business portion of the street, entering several stores and calling upon some of his professional friends. He had a good word to say for the discharged clerk wherever he stopped, and the result was made apparent that very afternoon.