"Some months since," continued the broker, "a confidential clerk who had been employed in my office for years suddenly disappeared, and with him about fifteen thousand dollars in money and securities. As they were my property, and no one else was involved, I did not make the loss public, thinking that I might stand a better chance of getting them back."
"But, sir, I should think the securities would be sold, and the amount realized spent."
"Well thought of, but there was one hindrance. They were not negotiable without the indorsement of the owner in whose name they stood."
"Yes, sir, I see."
"Sooner or later, I expected to hear from them, and I have done so. Yesterday this letter came to me from my defaulting clerk."
He placed a letter, with a Canadian postmark in Fred's hand.
"Shall I read it?'" asked Fred.
"Yes, do so."
This was the letter: