The tone of authority, together with the disturbed face of one clerk and the quite evident amusement of the others, suddenly enlightened Theodore. He knew instinctively that this man was master here and in a few quick sentences he told what had happened.
The gentleman listened in silence, but his keen, dark eyes took note of the flushed face of one clerk and the amused smiles of his companions.
"Is this boy's story true, Mr. Hammond?" he asked, sternly.
Mr. Hammond could not deny it "It was only a joke, sir," he said, uneasily.
"A joke, was it?" responded his employer. "I am not fond of such jokes." Then he turned again to the boy and inquired, "How much is due you for cleaning the signs?"
"I don't know. I'm just starting in in this business, an' I'm not sure what I ought to charge. Can you tell me, sir?"
The gentleman smiled down into the young face lifted so frankly to his.
"Why, no," he answered, gravely, but with a twinkle in his eyes. "I believe our janitor usually attends to the signs."
"Guess he don't attend to 'em very well, for they were awful dirty," remarked the boy. "Took 'me 'most an hour to shine 'em up. Did you notice 'em, sir, as you came in?"
"No, I did not. I'll look at them now," and Theodore followed the gentleman out to the steps.