it being there."

"Have you any theory to account for it?"

"Only this, that some one must have carried it to my room and placed it
where it was found."

"Did you question your landlady as to whether she had admitted any one
during the morning?"

"Yes, sir. She had not."

"This is very unfavorable to you."

"In what way, sir?"

"It makes it probable that you carried in the parcel yourself."

"That I deny," said Rodney boldly.

"I expected you to deny it," said the merchant coldly. "If this cloak
were the only one that had been taken I would drop the matter. But
this is by no means the case. Mr. Redwood, can you give any idea of the
extent to which we have been robbed?"

"So far as I can estimate we have lost a dozen cloaks and about half a
dozen dress patterns."

"This is a serious loss, Ropes," said Mr. Goodnow. "I should think it
would foot up several hundred dollars. If you can throw any light upon
the thefts, or give me information by which I can get back the goods
even at considerable expense, I will be as considerate with you as I
can."

"Mr. Goodnow," returned Rodney hotly, "I know no more about the matter
than you do. I hope you will investigate, and if you can prove that I
took any of the missing articles I want no consideration. I shall expect
you to have me arrested, and, if convicted, punished."

"These are brave words, Ropes," said Mr. Goodnow coldly, "but they are
only words. The parcel found in your room affords strong ground for
suspicion that you are responsible for at least a part of the thefts.
Under the circumstances there is only one thing for me to do, and that
is to discharge you."

"Very well, sir."

"You may go to the cashier and he will pay you to the end of the week,
but your connection with the store will end at once."

"I don't care to be paid to the end of the week, sir. If you will give
me an order for payment up to tonight, that will be sufficient."

"It shall be as you say."

Mr. Goodnow wrote a few words on a slip of paper and handed it to
Rodney.

"I will leave my address, sir, and if I change it I will notify you. If
you should hear anything as to the real robber I will ask you as a favor
to communicate with me."

"Mr. Redwood, you have heard the request of Ropes, I will look to you to
comply with it."

"Very well, sir."

The merchant turned back to his letters, and Rodney left the office,
with what feelings of sorrow and humiliation may be imagined.