but his cleverness came again to his aid.

"I told you that I would be willing to come just to oblige you," he
said.

"Did Herbert know that you were going to make this proposal?"

"No."

"You asked him, then, to remain in the post office while you absented
yourself with a view of depriving him of the position he had just
secured in my employ?"

"I would have got father to take him again in the store and post
office," said Eben, defending himself from the implied charge of
treachery.

"Yes, you told me so."

Eben nodded triumphantly. Even Melville had to admit that he was not
treating Herbert meanly.

"By the way," said Melville, "isn't it rather strange that you should
have been ready to recommend in your place a boy whose honesty you
doubted?"

"I didn't know he was a thief," said Eben, somewhat abashed.

"No, but you suspected his honesty. That was your reason for counting
the money and stamps before you left the office. At least, that is the
reason you have given."

"He had been in the office before I was there," said Eben, uneasily.

"While he was there, were any stamps missing? Was he suspected of taking
any stamps or money?"

"Not that I know of."

"Now, Mr. Graham, what answer did I make to your application?"

"What application?"

"To take you into my employ instead of Herbert."

"You wanted to keep him," said the witness, sullenly.

"Precisely. Having failed, then, in your application, you went home and
discovered that some money and stamps had been stolen."

"Yes, sir. I was very much surprised--"

"That will do, sir. Your discovery was remarkably well-timed. Herbert
having obtained the position you sought, you straightway discovered
proof of his dishonesty."

Eben colored, for the insinuation was plain enough for even him to
understand.

"The two things had nothing to do with each other!" he said.

"That may be, but I call the attention of the judge to a very remarkable
coincidence. Have the missing stamps or money been found on the person
of the defendant?"

"He hasn't been searched."

"I will take it upon me to say that he is ready to submit to an
examination," said Melville.

Herbert said, emphatically, "I am."

"Oh, it isn't likely you'd find anything now." said Eben, with a sneer.

"Why not?"

"He has had plenty of time to put 'em away."

"I am willing to have my mother's house searched," said Herbert,
promptly.

"Oh, they ain't there!" said Eben, significantly