devotion
to Julia, on the other. After the horse was disposed of at Major
Phillips's stable, Mr. Bryant walked down town with Harry; and when
they reached the store of Wake & Wade, he entered with him.

"What have you come back for?" asked the senior partner, rather
coldly, when he saw the delinquent. "We don't want you."

Harry was confused at this reception, though it was not unexpected.

"I didn't know but that you might be willing to take me again."

"No, we don't want you. Ah, Mr. Bryant! Happy to see you," continued
Mr. Wake, recognizing Harry's friend.

"Did I understand you aright? Did you say that you did not want my
young friend, here?" replied Mr. Bryant, taking the offered hand of
Mr. Wake.

"I did say so," said the senior. "I was not aware that he was your
friend, though," and he proceeded to inform Mr. Bryant that Harry had
left them against their wish.

"A few words with you, if you please."

Mr. Wake conducted him to the private office, where they remained for
half an hour.

"It is all right, Harry," continued Mr. Wake, on their return. "I did
not understand the matter."

"Thank you, sir!" ejaculated our hero, rejoiced to find his place was
still secure. "I would not have gone if I could possibly have helped
it."

"You did right, my boy, and I honor you for your courage and
constancy."

Mr. Bryant bade him an affectionate adieu, promising to write to him
often until Julia recovered, and then departed.

With a grateful heart Harry immediately resumed his duties, and the
partners were probably as glad to retain him as he was to remain.

At night, when he went to his chamber, he raised the loose board to
get the pill box, containing his savings, in order to return the money
he had not expended. To his consternation, he discovered that it was
gone!

CHAPTER XVIII

IN WHICH HARRY MEETS WITH AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE AND GETS A HARD KNOCK ON
THE HEAD

It was in vain that Harry searched beneath the broken floor for his
lost treasure; it could not be found. He raised the boards up, and
satisfied himself that it had not slipped away into any crevice, or
fallen through into the room below; and the conclusion was inevitable
that the box had been stolen.

Who could have done it? The mystery confused Harry, for he was certain
that no one had seen him deposit the box beneath the floor. No one
except Edward even knew that he had any money. He was sure that
neither Mrs. Flint nor Katy would