s stolen our goods?"

"No, sir."

"Has any thing been taken since I spoke with you on the subject?"

"Not that I am aware of."

"Has any one of the clerks attracted your attention by suspicious
conduct?"

"No, sir," answered Redwood, puzzled.

"Humph! Cast your eye over this letter."

James Redwood took the letter, which was written in a fine hand, and
read as follow:

MR. GOODNOW:

DEAR SIR,--I don't know whether you are aware that articles have been
taken from your stock, say, ladies' cloaks and silk dress patterns,
and disposed of outside. I will not tell you how it has come to my
knowledge, for I do not want to get any one's ill will, but I will say,
to begin with, that they were taken by one of your employees, and the
one, perhaps, that you would least suspect, for I am told that he is
a favorite of yours. I may as well say that it is Rodney Ropes. I live
near him, and last evening I saw him carry a bundle to his room when he
went back from the store. I think if you would send round today when he
is out, you would find in his room one or more of the stolen articles. I
don't want to get him into trouble, but I don't like to see you robbed,
and so I tell you what I know. A FRIEND.

Mr. Redwood read this letter attentively, arching his brows, perhaps to
indicate his surprise. Then he read it again carefully.

"What do you think of it?" asked the merchant.

"I don't know," answered Redwood slowly.

"Have you ever seen anything suspicious in the conduct of young Ropes?"

"I can't say I have. On the contrary, he seems to be a very diligent and
industrious clerk."

"But about his honesty."

"I fancied him the soul of honesty."

"So did I, but of course we are liable to be deceived. It wouldn't
be the first case where seeming honesty has been a cover for flagrant
dishonesty."

"What do you wish me to do, Mr. Goodnow? Shall I send Ropes down to
you?"

"No; it would only give him a chance, if guilty, to cover up his
dishonesty."

"I am ready to follow your instructions."

"Do you know where he lodges?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I will ask you to go around there, and by some means gain
admission to his room. If he has any of our goods secreted take
possession of them and report to me."

"Very well, sir." Half an hour later Mrs. McCarty, Rodney's landlady, in
response to a ring admitted Mr. James Redwood.

"Does a young man named Ropes lodge here?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"I come from the h