"And that Banfield affair!"
The truth dawned on Evan. He stood for a moment oblivious of his surroundings, thinking of his father and mother and friends. He was suspected. It was worse than Robb had said: he was not only under disfavor, but under suspicion. Head office had only waited for a pretext to fire him.
"But I didn't take that money——" he began.
"Those are my instructions," replied the manager, turning to his work.
Evan felt sick. He tried to make the accountant talk, but all Charon would say was:
"You'll have to grin and bear it."
"Well, can I see the inspector?" asked Evan, in desperation.
"I wouldn't advise you to; it will do no good."
Turning away, the cash-book man entered a telephone booth and called up Castle.
"This is Mr. Nelson," he said, "of Banfield. Can I see you, sir?"