sion before any
result was obtained. The coins were always found in the drawer; but on
the fourth day, when they were very busy, and there was a great deal
of money in the drawer, Harry distinctly observed Edward, while making
change, take several coins from the till. The act appalled him; he
forgot the customer to whose wants he was attending, and hastened to
inform Mr. Wake of the discovery.

"Where are you going, Harry?" asked Edward, as he passed him.

"Only to the office," replied he; and his appearance and manner might
have attracted the attention of any skillful rogue.

"Come, Harry, don't leave your place," added Edward, playfully
grasping him by the collar, on his return.

"Don't stop to fool, Edward," answered Harry, as he shook him off and
took his place at the counter again.

He was very absent-minded the rest of the forenoon, and his frame
shook with agitation as he heard Mr. Wake call Edward shortly after.
But he trembled still more when he was summoned also, for it was very
unpleasant business.

"Of course, you will not object to letting me see the contents of
your pockets, Edward," said Mr. Wake, as Harry entered the office.

"Certainly not, sir;" and he turned every one of his pockets inside
out.

Not one of the decoy pieces was found upon him, or any other coins,
for that matter; he had no money. Mr. Wake was confused, for he fully
expected to convict the culprit on the spot.

"I suppose I am indebted to this young man for this," continued
Edward, with a sneer. "I'll bet five dollars he stole the money
himself, if any has been stolen. Why don't you search him?"

"Search me, sir, by all means," added Harry; and he began to turn his
pockets out.

From his vest pocket he took out a little parcel wrapped in a shop
bill.

"What's that?" said Edward.

"I don't know. I wasn't aware that there was any such thing in my
pocket."

"I suppose not," sneered Edward.

"But you seem to know more about it than Edward," remarked Mr. Wade,
as he took the parcel.

"I know nothing about it."

The senior opened the wrapper, and to his surprise and sorrow found it
contained two of the marked coins. But he was not disposed hastily to
condemn Harry. He could not believe him capable of stealing; besides,
there was something in Edward's manner which seemed to indicate that
our hero was the victim of a conspiracy.

"As he has been so very generous towards me, Mr. Wake," interposed
Edward, "I will suggest