“No, sir.”
“If you will tell the truth, I will see that no harm comes to you. I want to clear this matter up.”
Jasper thought the matter over. He saw that the game was up—and decided rapidly that confession was the best policy.
“Very well, sir, if I must I will do so, but that man put me up to it.”
“You did not need any putting up to it. I wish young Ropes were here, that I might clear him.”
As if in answer to the wish a bronzed and manly figure appeared at the office door. It was Rodney, but taller and more robust than when he left the store nearly a year before.
“Rodney Ropes!” ejaculated Jasper in great surprise.
“Yes, Jasper, I came here to see you, and beg you to free me from the false charge which was brought against me when I was discharged from this store. I didn’t find you in your usual places, and was directed here.”
“Ropes,” said Mr. Goodnow, “your innocence has been established. This man,” indicating Philip Carton, “has confessed that it was he and Jasper who stole the missing articles.”
“I am thankful that my character has been cleared.”