ime to go on such a foolish errand. Can you give me the ten
dollars you obtained for the watch?"

"I didn't obtain a dollar nor a cent for the watch. I know nothing
about it."

"Probably you have laid it away somewhere, or spent it."

"That is not true, and I am sure you don't believe it yourself."

"No impudence, young man! I am forced to believe it. I have treated you
kindly since Mr. Flint went away, and that is sufficient to show that I
wish to do you no injustice. Is this true or not?"

"I have no fault to find with your treatment, except now."

"I shall continue to act as your friend. I might have you arrested, and
your conviction would be certain with the evidence I have in my
possession. But I will not do it. I will redeem the watch at my own
expense and be content with discharging you."

"I believe there is a plot against me," said Andy, pale but firm. "It
will come out some time. When do you wish me to go?"

"At once. I will pay you to the end of the week, but I could not feel
safe in retaining your services any longer. John, will you oblige me by
taking Andrew's place till I have a chance to secure another boy?"

"Yes, Uncle Simon, but I don't want to feel that I have had anything to
do with Andy's discharge."

"You have not. No one is responsible for it but himself."

"Then I will stay while you need me. I don't want to leave you in a
hole."

Simon Rich went to the money drawer and drew out a five-dollar bill.

"Here is your pay to the end of the week," he said.

"I prefer to accept pay only to to-day," replied Andy.

"As you please."

Andy walked out of the store feeling crushed and overwhelmed. He was all
at sea concerning the pawn ticket. He could not understand how it got
into his pocket.

He formed a resolution. He would go around to the pawnbroker's and see
if he could obtain any information.

He found the pawn shop without difficulty. It was a small apartment, but
seemed quite full of goods of all varieties.

A small man of perhaps sixty was behind the counter. Seated in a
rocking-chair, sewing, an old lady was to be seen in the rear of the
shop.

Andy had never before been in a pawn shop, and would have been
interested in examining it if his errand had not been so serious.

He walked up to the counter.

"Well, young man, what is your business?" asked the old man.

"Do you remember lending some money on a new gold watch last Monday?"

"Was the watch stolen?" asked the paw