“Are you a friend of his?” asked the bookkeeper.
“Well, yes. I come from Wyncombe, where he lives, and I know his folks. I was told he was workin’ here.”
“Yes, he was working here,” answered Mullins, emphasizing the past tense.
“Isn’t he here now?” demanded Silas, with surprise.
“No.”
“How’s that?”
“It’s rather a delicate matter, as you are a friend of his, but some days since I was obliged to discharge him.”
“You don’t say!” ejaculated Silas, in manifest surprise.
“I am sorry to say it.”
“But what was the matter? What did he do?”