"Come in," was the response.
He entered, stumbling over heaps of unwashed clothing. Two or three forlorn-looking children were eating at a wretchedly uninviting table in the midst of these surroundings. A feeble-looking woman was on a bed.
"Is Grimes at home?" asked Will.
"No, sir, he's not; and I beg pardon for letting you come in. My washing was half done when I was took down with a turn, and Grimes is looking now for some one to do what I am unable to do."
"Will he soon be in, do you think?"
"Yes, sir; have a chair; he'll be in presently."
"I will wait outside," said Will, glad of the excuse to get out. He waited in the dim light of a dirty window outside, and wished he had about a gallon of Cologne water at hand. Soon Grimes came, looking tired and cross. When he saw Will he grew pale, but asked him, in a smothered voice, what he wanted.
"I have come to speak about that check of Charlie Graham's," said Will.
Grimes grew red and angry, swore roundly that he knew nothing of it, and threatened to pitch Will down stairs.
Will very firmly replied that he had seen Grimes take it, and that unless he was willing to make reparation, his employers would have to be told of it.