"That you will hear, sir, from his own lips."
His voice was full of irony, and the manner in which he spoke caused the cashier to tremble, his pale face indicating agitation.
"Well, I will see him at once," Alden replied, and stepping to the door of the private office, he gently rapped. Receiving a summons, he opened the door and entered the apartment. The president was sitting at his desk. Alden said:
"The teller informed me you desired my presence here."
The president, giving him a cold, meaning look, rose from his seat, turned the key in the lock, then said:
"Yes, he was right. Be seated. I have much to say, and of a painful nature."
George Alden's lips trembled. For a moment neither spoke, the silence being finally broken by the president.
"George, never in my whole life did I have such a painful duty to perform as now falls to my lot. You have served the bank for several years, and during that time have succeeded in winning the confidence of every officer of the institution. You have been trusted implicitly at all times, yet an examination reveals to us that this confidence placed in you has not been deserved."
He paused, when George Alden sprang to his feet, and gasped:
"I—I do not—that is—I cannot comprehend your meaning."