He was not surprised to receive another visit from the clerk on the evening succeeding the interview which was chronicled in the last chapter.
"Well," he said, when the latter was ushered into his presence, and they were left alone, "what have you to tell me?"
"I have lost my situation," said Cromwell, briefly.
"Then your employer was offended at your silence?"
"Yes; he said he must know who bought the article."
"And you refused to tell him?"
"I did. Upon this he said that he had no further occasion for my services, and that under the circumstances he must refuse me a recommendation. So you see I have got into serious trouble on account of keeping your secret."
Paul Morton winced at the last two words, but he didn't comment upon them.
Could the late employer of James Cromwell have heard the assertions just made by his clerk, he would have opened wide his eyes in astonishment. The fact was that the clerk had alleged failing health as a reason for giving up his situation, and had at that very moment an excellent recommendation from his employer in his pocket. It must be said that he deserved it, for he had been a faithful and competent assistant in the shop, however destitute he might be of moral qualities. But James Cromwell had no idea of entering the shop of another druggist. His ideas had been enlarged, and he aspired to something less laborious, and more remunerative.