oung villain!" said the banker, when Felix had finished this black
falsehood, which he told so glibly, and with such seeming reluctance,
that Mr. Goldwin accepted it as all truth. "I am sorry I ever took him
into my office," he continued. "I must have the bank carefully looked
over, to see if he misappropriated anything, as he very likely did."

Felix said nothing, but seemed to look sorry for Herbert.

"Well," said Mr. Goldwin, after a pause, "is it too late to get you?"

"I don't know," answered Mortimer, hesitatingly. "I would like to work
for you, but would not feel right to take the position away from this
Vermonter."

Felix laid a special stress upon the word "Vermonter."

"Take it away from him!" replied the banker, scornfully. "He cannot
enter this bank again."

"But you see I would feel that I am the means of keeping him out of the
position. You wouldn't have known about his deception if I hadn't told
you."

Felix now used the word "deception" flippantly, and with no further
apparent apology for applying it to our hero.

"That is all right," replied Mr. Goldwin; "I am glad to see you
sensitive about injuring another. It is much to your credit that you
feel as you do about it."

"Thank you," was the modest reply. "Then if you think it would look
right, and you really want me, I will take the position."

"Of course we can get hundreds and thousands of boys, but I have taken a
liking to you. When can you commence?"

"I can commence this morning, if you wish me to," said Felix.

"Very well, I wish you would--er, that is if you feel able. I notice
your face is swollen, and perhaps you are not feeling well."

"Oh, that will not bother me," replied Mortimer, coolly. "I had a tooth
filled yesterday, and have got cold in my jaw."

"You must suffer with it. It is swollen badly and looks red and angry,"
said the banker sympathetically.

"It does hurt a good deal, but will not trouble me about my work."

"It looks as if the skin had been injured--more like a bruise, as if
you had received a heavy blow on your jaw," said Mr. Goldwin, examining
the swelling more closely.

Felix colored perceptibly, but immediately rallied, and said the
poulticing had given it that appearance.

Could Mr. Goldwin have known the truth about this injured jaw, he would
have been paralyzed at the bold falsehood of the young villain before
him.

He had succeeded admirably in blackening our young hero's reputation.
Mr. Goldwi