Tom Stanton was assailed by a sudden and dangerous temptation. His dislike to Herbert had been increased in various ways, and especially had been rendered more intense by the independent tone assumed by our hero in the conversation which had taken place between them that very morning. Now, here was an opportunity of getting him into disgrace, and probably cause him to lose his situation. True, he would have to tell a falsehood, but Tom had never been a scrupulous lover of truth, and would violate it for a less object without any particular compunction.
He hesitated when the question was asked him, and thus, as he expected, fixed Mr. Godfrey's attention.
“Why don't you answer, Thomas?” he said, in surprise.
“I don't like to,” said Tom, artfully.
“Why not?” demanded his employer, suspiciously.
“Because I don't want to get anybody into trouble.”
“Speak out what you mean.”
“If you insist upon it,” said Tom, with pretended reluctance, “I suppose I must obey you.”
“Of course, if any wrong has been done, it is your duty to expose it.”
“Then, sir,” said Tom. “I saw Mason pick up a wallet from the floor, and put it in his pocket just after the gentleman went out. He did it so quickly that no one probably observed it but myself.”