"Perhaps you had better," he said. "You saw me open the letter?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then you can bear witness that there was nothing in it. Report this to Mr. Bond, andask him to send me up the money to-morrow at latest, as I need it to help meet a note."
"I will, sir. I am sorry there has been any mistake about it."
"Mr. Bond must certainly have forgotten to put in the bill. I presume he has found out his mistake by this time," thought Oliver.
He had no suspicion that there was no mistake at all—that it was a conspiracy against his own reputation, instigated by Mr. Kenyon, and artfully carried out by Ezekiel Bond.
CHAPTER XVII.
OLIVER LOSES HIS PLACE.
O LIVER re-entered the store and went up to Mr. Bond, who was standing behind the counter awaiting his return.
"Have you brought back the receipt?" asked his employer, before he had a chance to speak.