s bonanza comes in," she said.

CHAPTER XVII

THE INVESTIGATION

When Dick arrived at the bank on the following morning at his usual hour
he found that a sense of gloom had descended upon the inmates of the
institution.

Every one seemed to be depressed.

In answer to his pleasant greeting the tellers and bookkeeper nodded and
went on with the work that held their attention, as though endeavoring
to catch up with a press of business.

At first Dick wondered whether there could have been any further
developments linking his name with the mysterious disappearance of the
securities; then he wisely came to the conclusion that all of his fellow
employees were simply nervous over the coming interview with the head of
the establishment, who might find some cause to suspect that the guilt
lay with one of them.

He went about his duties as quietly as though nothing had happened, and
Mr. Winslow, looking over the top of his desk allowed himself to give a
little nod of appreciation when he saw how determined Dick was not to
look like a guilty person.

"That boy has grit, all right," he said to his associate, when they came
together in getting out the cash to begin the day's business; "most lads
in his condition would be scared half to death, and ready to break down.
Dick is a chap after my own heart. Here comes Mr. Gibbs, and the cashier
is with him. I believe he must have met him at the station, and has told
the whole story on the way here. Now for it, Payson. This is a nasty
piece of bad luck for us all, and I only hope we get out of it
decently."

The two gentlemen were in the president's room for some time before any
one was called; then one of the tellers was summoned and remained there
for about five minutes, after which the other went in, followed by the
bookkeeper.

"Now it is my turn," said Dick to himself as he saw this last gentleman
come out again, and beckon to him to enter.

He found Mr. Gibbs looking very grave indeed.

If the bank finally had to stand the loss it would make a big hole in
the resources of the institution; as the securities had simply been
placed in the safe of the bank for security, at the risk of the
department store keeper, of course they could not be held accountable
for their loss unless it was proven that some one in their employ had
taken them--Mr. Graylock assumed the chances of fire or any ordinary
burglary up to the time he actually gave them in charge of the bank an