Eben winced, but did not reply.

George Melville whispered to Herbert:

"Are you willing to accept me as your lawyer? I am not much of one, to
be sure, but this case is very simple."

"I am very grateful for your offer, and accept it," said Herbert.

I do not propose to record the whole scene in detail, but only to give a
general idea of the proceedings.

Eben Graham was sworn as a witness, and deposed that he had left Herbert
in charge of the post office the previous evening. On his return he
examined the stamps and contents of the money drawer, and found, to his
surprise, that five dollars in money and six dollars' worth of stamps
were missing.

"How did you know they were missing?" asked Melville.

"Because I knew precisely how much money was in the drawer and how many
stamps were there."

"Then you counted them just before you went out?"

"Yes, sir."

"That was rather a singular time to make the count, was it not?"

"I don't know that it was, sir."

"I should suppose the end of the day would be a more appropriate time."

"I don't think so," answered Eben, shortly.

"Were you led to make the count because you suspected Herbert's
honesty?" asked Mr. Melville.

"That was the very reason I did it," said Eben, with a malicious glance
at Herbert.

"Isn't it a little curious that you should have selected a boy whose
honesty you doubted, to fill your place?" asked George Melville,
carelessly.

"There wasn't anybody else; he knew all about post-office work."
answered Eben.

"Very good! Now, Mr. Graham, if you have no objection, will you tell why
you wanted to get away from the post office last evening?"

Eben fidgeted, for he saw what was coming, and it made him nervous.

"I wanted a little rest," he answered, after a pause.

"Where did you go?"

"Why do you ask me that question?" asked Eben, moving about uneasily.

"Because I desire an answer."

"You know where I went," returned Eben, sullenly.

"Yes, but I wish you to tell me."

"Answer the question, witness!" said the judge, briefly.

"I went to the hotel," replied Eben, evasively.

"On whom did you call?"

"On you!" answered Eben, reluctantly.

"We have come to it at last. Now, what was your business with me?"

"To tell you that Herbert would not suit you as a companion," said the
witness, who thought this answer rather a clever one.

"Whom did you recommend in his place?" pursued the questioner,
relentlessly.

Eben hesitated,