he day Dick often thought of what had occurred
during the noon hour, and wondered whether the owner of the big store
could really be getting into deep water financially.

Already he had learned that those in the bank must never talk about what
they happen to learn or suspect, and so he made up his mind to keep his
suspicions to himself.

At any rate it was none of his business, and while he had no affection
for Mr. Graylock he certainly did not feel like exulting over the fact
that impending trouble hovered over his devoted head.

Once, when he had occasion to pass into the vault he saw that someone,
possibly the teller, had taken pains to remove the packet from the
shelf, and that it was undoubtedly now safely reposing in the inner
receptacle of the big vault; indeed, the door of this being ajar Dick
fancied he could see the buff envelope with the heavy rubber band
sticking out of one of the various pigeon-holes.

After that it passed entirely from his mind.

Three more days passed by. There were now rumors abroad that all was not
rosy with the firm of Archibald Graylock; everybody was talking of it,
for in a small town such a thing is a calamity affecting many
households; for should the big store close its doors scores must be
thrown out of employment, for it had been doing a rushing business off
and on.

Dick heard of it in half a dozen places; indeed, it seemed as though
everyone must be talking about the visits of creditors, and the hustling
of the worried proprietor to get accommodation in order to tide over the
storm.

There were no more consultations between the cashier and Mr. Graylock;
for somehow the merchant seemed to avoid the bank, sending Ferd several
times with notes, when it became necessary to communicate.

It seemed to Dick as though there was a muttering in the air, just as he
used to notice before a summer storm broke on a sultry day.

Surely something was going to happen.

And now a new week had come around, the beginning of his second week
with the bank.

Dick was even more pleased than ever with his position.

It was an absolute delight for him to dabble with figures, and finding
how very quick and accurate he was, the bookkeeper and tellers did not
hesitate to give him many a task in that line.

The more he did the better they were pleased, and many a joke passed
around the inner circle that was aimed at poor Charles, and his
blundering ways.

It was about a quarter after eleve