young man,” added Mr. Longbrook, as he recognized his late assistant.
“I have come back to tell you, sir, that I did not take the money from your safe,” stammered Bolingbroke.
“What did you run away for, then?” demanded the merchant severely.
“Because I was a fool and was frightened. I found that Mr. Lingerwell was determined to convict me, guilty or innocent; and I had not the courage to stay and see it out,” replied Bolingbroke honestly.
“You lost four hundred and fifty dollars from your safe, Mr. Longbrook,” interposed Dory.
“That was just the amount taken, and this young fellow took it. It looks as though he came to work here at this time for the purpose of getting it, and he left as soon as he had the money,” said the merchant angrily. “What have you done with the money, you young rascal?”
“I have not had it, I have not seen it,” protested Bolingbroke.
“Don’t tell me that! No one else could have taken it. You and Lingerwell were the only two persons who went to the safe.”
“Possibly Mr. Lingerwell took it himself,” suggested Dory.
Mr. Longbrook knit his brows into a frown, and turned away as though he was thinking of something. Doubtless he was considering whether or not it was possible that his trusted head man could have done such a deed.