“Does Ben Watkins accuse me of this crime?”
“Not directly; but he intimates that you stole the key of the safe from his room, which amounts to about the same thing.”
“Then I am released from my promise to him,” said Myles, “and am at liberty to tell you all I know of this miserable business.”
Mr. Saxon listened with absorbed interest to the young reporter’s story of his visit to the superintendent’s office on that eventful night, of what took place there between him and Ben, of his taking possession of the key for safe-keeping, and of the manner in which he sent it back. It was a long story, and when it was finished the president’s face expressed a decided feeling of relief. He said:
“My dear boy, I have studied your character carefully, much more so than you are aware of, during the past four months, and I am thankful to be able to tell you honestly that I believe every word you say. What a very foolish thing you did, though, in taking possession of that key! It undoubtedly saved property of great value to this company, but at the same time it placed you in the power of your enemy as no other act could have done.”
“Yes,” assented Myles, “I see that only too plainly now.”
“But you were short of money that night?” continued Mr. Saxon.
“Yes, sir, I was.”
“And had fifty dollars the next morning? Where did it come from?”
Myles told him.