Rodney had lost his fine position as
tutor, and was now in a place from which he might more easily be ousted.

As he could not prevail upon James Hicks to betray Rodney he decided to
write an anonymous letter to the firm that employed him.

The result was that the next afternoon Rodney was summoned to the
office.

"Sit down Ropes," said the superintendent. "For what store did you work
before you came into our house?"

"Otis Goodnow's."

"Under what circumstances did you leave?"

"I was accused of theft."

"You did not mention this matter when you applied for a situation here."

"No, sir. I ought perhaps to have done so, but I presumed in that case
you would not have given me a place."

"You are right he would not."

"Nor would I have applied had the charge been a true one. Articles were
certainly missing from Mr. Goodnow's stock, but in accusing me they did
me a great injustice."

"How long since you left Mr. Goodnow's?"

"Four months."

"What have you been doing since?"

"I was acting as tutor to the son of Mr. Sargent, of West Fifty Eighth
Street."

"A well known citizen. Then you are a scholar?"

"Yes, sir, I am nearly prepared for college."

"Of course he did not know you were suspected of dishonesty."

"On the contrary he did know it. I told him, and later he received an
anonymous letter, notifying him of the fact."

"We also have received an anonymous letter. Here it is. Do you recognize
the hand writing?"

"Yes," answered Rodney after examining the letter. "It was written by
Jasper Redwood."

"Who is he?"

"A boy employed by Mr. Goodnow. For some reason he seems to have a spite
against me."

"I admit that it is pretty small business to write an anonymous letter
calculated to injure another. Still we shall have to take notice of
this."

"Yes, sir, I suppose so."

"I shall have to bring it to the notice of the firm. What they may do I
don't know. If the matter was to be decided by me I would let you stay."

"Thank you, sir," said Rodney gratefully.

"But I am not Mr. Hall. You can go now and I will see you again."

Rodney left the office fully persuaded that his engagement would
speedily terminate. He was right; the next day he was sent for again.

"I am sorry to tell you, Ropes," said the superintendent kindly "that
Mr. Hall insists upon your being discharged. He is a nervous man and
rather suspicious. I spoke in your favor but I could not turn him."

"At any rate I am gra