then he
nodded and said:

"Come around to the post-office. I sometimes drop in there to give
Stavers a lift with his books, as he is a poor hand at keeping accounts.
Glad to hear what you have to say, Dick. No more unexpected fortunes
dropping down out of the skies, eh?" for of course Dick had told the
others about the good luck that had befallen his mother, and even shown
them the lawyer's letter.

"Not that I know of; but then I haven't been home yet. Once these things
get to coming they say it never rains but it pours. We can stand all
that comes our way, I guess. Wait for me then at the post-office,
please. It is mighty important--to me anyway, sir."

The bank closed at three, but the tellers did not get away for another
hour, and sometimes Dick had to stay even later.

When he did finally get out he hastened to the centre of the town where
the post-office was located, and asked for Mr. Winslow, who speedily
appeared, he having been watching for the lad.

"Let us walk up this quiet street, Richard, and we can talk as we go.
Now, what is it you want to tell me, and in what way can I give you
advice? We are all more or less worried at the bank again because Mr.
Gibbs informed us that the government bank examiner may drop in on us
to-morrow on his regular tour of the financial institutions, though we
did not expect him for another month. Go on, Dick."

There was at least a promise of sympathy in the tone of the teller.

"Perhaps you will think me foolish to imagine such a thing, sir, but
somehow, if you had only seen his face that day you might have a little
suspicion too," he said, half hesitatingly.

"Meaning whom, Richard?" asked Mr. Winslow, encouragingly.

"Mr. Graylock, sir."

"And what day do you mean--the time he brought the securities over, and
it fell to your lot to place them in the vault?"

"Yes, sir. Mr. Hollister came into the bank to get a bill changed, and
there was no one to attend to him but Mr. Goodwyn, who had to come out
of his room for a minute and count out a lot of small change."

"Yes, yes, I see, leaving Graylock there during that time; go on,
Richard," said the teller, suddenly beginning to show signs of
excitement, as the idea Dick was advancing gradually began to take hold
on him.

"I don't know what caused me to do it, sir, and I suppose I should be
ashamed of yielding to the sudden impulse; but that man always
interested me strangely; why, in church I have sat and watched