"'Why, by a false set of books,' suggested Mr. Ransom."
"I had access to all the books, as well as to the safe, for the key I always left with the store-key at Mr. Grant's house. After this I noticed that Mr. Ransom was very much engaged in writing and the accountant was required to copy from this day-book into another which he calls the journal."
"One day he did not make his appearance; and the clerk, after sending to his boardinghouse, and finding that he was ill, asked me if I could post the accounts for the day. I answered that I could, if he would explain to me his method. This he did in a few minutes; and, as the book-keeper has not returned, I have done his work ever since, in addition to my own."
"Perhaps you do not comprehend that the books I was required to keep were the false ones I had heard spoken of."
Mr. Clarkson arose suddenly, and going to the door, said, "Excuse me one moment," and left the room.
"I'm afraid I'm keeping you too long, sir," said Harrison, anxiously, as the gentleman returned; "but I am almost through now."
"Oh no!" responded the gentleman, "I'm entirely at your service. I'm quite curious to know what the gentlemen intend to gain by these books while they still retain the genuine ones."
"That is just it, sir. One day, Mr. Grant and the clerk were in the office, supposing all the men had gone to dinner, and got to disputing very angrily on that subject. Mr. Grant wanted to destroy them, but the other wouldn't consent to it. They called each other all kinds of hard names; but at length agreed that the books should be boxed up and sent to a place of security."
"I suppose, then," suggested Mr. Clarkson, "that Mr. Ransom wished to hold these as a proof of the villainy of the other, in case he turned against him."
"Yes, sir; and also to prove his own part of the profits, in case they are not found out."