"Where are you going, Harry?" asked Edward, as he passed him.
"Only to the office," replied he; and his appearance and manner might have attracted the attention of any skillful rogue.
"Come, Harry, don't leave your place," added Edward, playfully grasping him by the collar, on his return.
"Don't stop to fool, Edward," answered Harry, as he shook him off and took his place at the counter again.
He was very absent-minded the rest of the forenoon, and his frame shook with agitation as he heard Mr. Wake call Edward shortly after. But he trembled still more when he was summoned also, for it was very unpleasant business.
"Of course, you will not object to letting me see the contents of your pockets, Edward," said Mr. Wake, as Harry entered the office.
"Certainly not, sir;" and he turned every one of his pockets inside out.
Not one of the decoy pieces was found upon him, or any other coins, for that matter; he had no money. Mr. Wake was confused, for he fully expected to convict the culprit on the spot.
"I suppose I am indebted to this young man for this," continued Edward, with a sneer. "I'll bet five dollars he stole the money himself, if any has been stolen. Why don't you search him?"
"Search me, sir, by all means," added Harry; and he began to turn his pockets out.