ties I sell to undoubtedly suspect that the articles are
stolen."

"Wouldn't it be better to pawn them?"

"It would be more dangerous. Besides you know how liberal pawnbrokers
are. I'll tell you what would be better. If I had a sufficient number of
articles to warrant it, I could take them on to Boston or Philadelphia,
and there would be less risk selling them there."

"That is true. I wish we had thought of that before. Now we shall have
to give up the business for a time. How much money have you got for me?"

"Seven dollars."

"Seven dollars!" exclaimed Jasper in disgust. "Why, that is ridiculous.
The articles must have been worth at retail a hundred dollars."

"Perhaps so, but I only got fourteen for them. If you think you can do
any better you may sell them yourself next time."

"I thought I should assuredly get fifteen dollars out of it," said
Jasper, looking deeply disappointed. "I had a use for the money too."

"Very likely. So had I."

"Well, I suppose I must make it do. Listen and I will tell you how I
think I can turn this thing to my advantage."

"Go ahead!"

CHAPTER XII.

WHAT WAS FOUND IN RODNEY'S ROOM.

"There is a boy who stands between me and promotion," continued Jasper,
speaking in a low tone.

"The boy you mentioned the other day?"

"Yes, Rodney Ropes. Mr. Goodnow got him from I don't know where, and has
taken a ridiculous fancy to him. He has been put over my head and his
pay raised, though I have been in the store longer than he. My idea is
to connect him with the thefts and get him discharged."

"Do you mean that we are to make him a confederate?"

"No," answered Jasper impatiently. "He would be just the fellow to peach
and get us all into trouble."

"Then what do you mean?"

"To direct suspicion towards him. We won't do it immediately, but within
a week or two. It would do me good to have him turned out of the store."

Jasper proceeded to explain his idea more fully, and his companion
pronounced it very clever.

Meanwhile Rodney, not suspecting the conspiracy to deprive him of his
place and his good name, worked zealously, encouraged by his promotion,
and resolved to make a place for himself which should insure him a
permanent connection with the firm.

Ten days passed, and Mr. Redwood again received a summons from the
office.

Entering, he found Mr. Goodnow with a letter in his hand.

"Well, Mr. Redwood," he began, "have you got any clew to the party who
ha