to-day, but I shall wire to him immediately. Until
he comes nothing more can be done," he remarked, positively.

"And about this boy--what will you do?" asked the merchant, turning to
frown at Dick, as though in spite of all he either could not or would
not allow himself to get rid of the idea that the messenger knew
something about the missing papers.

"Nothing just now. There is really no tangible evidence that he took the
securities, sir; you must admit that it is only suspicion as yet with
you?" returned the cashier, gloomily, gnawing at his upper lip
nervously, and playing with his pencil by tapping it on the table.

"But he handled the packet, you admit?" declared Mr. Graylock,
stubbornly.

"So did Mr. Payson, who declares he put it away on that day as soon as
he returned from lunch; so did I right here before your eyes. I have
been trying to recall the exact circumstances of that day, but I seem to
be a little hazy, which, however, is not to be wondered at under the
circumstances, for this thing has given me a terrible shock, sir. It
will be your duty to have some one find the man who offered one of the
stolen securities to your friend, and in that way discover the identity
of the guilty person. I shall be sorry for him when found; Mr. Gibbs is
a martinet when it comes to duty, and the one who took those papers will
undoubtedly have occasion to repent behind the bars."

He looked at Dick as he said those last words, but the boy did not quail
in the least, his calm eyes meeting those of the nervous cashier
steadily.

"Innocent, or hardened, which," was what was passing through the mind
of Mr. Goodwyn, as he noted this unflinching behavior of the suspected
youth.

"Do you wish to ask me anything more, sir?"

"Are you in the habit of corresponding with anyone in Boston, Richard?"

"Not until a week ago, when a friend of mine who was in Florida the last
time I heard from him wrote me from Boston. He addressed his letter to
the bank because he said he understood from another fellow in Riverview
he corresponded with that I was now employed here."

"Have you this letter?" continued the cashier, quietly.

Dick put his hand to his pocket and drew out an envelope, which he
started to open, and then turned scarlet with mortification.

"I remember now that I was reading his letter again this morning while
down near the river on an errand, a sudden gust of wind carried it out
of my hand and over the fence. I ha