"I noticed one evening when he left the store that he had a sizable parcel under his arm.""And you think it might have contained some article stolen from the stock?""That's just what I think now. Nothing of the kind occurred to me at that time, for I didn't know any articles were missing.""That seems important. When was it that you noticed this?""One day last week," answered Jasper hesitatingly.
"Can you remember the day?"
"No."
"Couldn't you fix it some way?"
"No. You see, I didn't attach any particular importance to it at the time, and probably it would not have occurred to me again, but for your mentioning that articles were missing.""There may be something in what you say," said his uncle thoughtfully. "I will take special notice of young Ropes after this.""So will I.""Don't let him observe that he is watched. It would defeat our chances of detecting the thief.""I'll be careful. Do you want to say anything more, uncle?""No. By the way, where were you going this evening?""I was going to meet a friend, and perhaps go to the theater.
You couldn't lend me a dollar, could you, Uncle James?""Yes, I could, but you are not quite able to pay for your own pleasures. It costs all my salary to live, and its going to be worse next year, for I shall have to pay a higher rent.""When I have my pay raised, I can get along better.""If Ropes loses his place, you will probably step into it.""Then I hope he'll go, and that soon."When Jasper passed through the front door and stood on the sidewalk, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, they are on to us," he said to himself. "But how was it found out? That's what I'd like to know. I have been very careful. I must see Carton at once."A short walk took him to a billiard room not far from Broadway.
A young man of twenty five, with a slight mustache, and a thin, dark face, was selecting a cue.
"Ah, Jasper!" he said. "Come at last. Let us have a game of pool.""Not just yet. Come outide. I want to speak to you."Jasper looked serious, and Philip Carton, observing it, made no remonstrance, but taking his hat, followed him out.
"Well, what is it?" he asked.
"Something serious. It is discovered at the store that goods are missing.""You don't mean it? Are we suspected?""No one is suspected--yet."
"But how do you know?"
"My uncle spoke to me about it this evening--just after supper.""He doesn't think you are in it.""No."
"How did he find out?"
"Through the boss. Goodnow spoke to him about it today.""But how should Goodnow know anything about it?""That no one can tell but himself. He asked Uncle James to watch the clerks, and see if he could fasten the theft on any of them.""That is pleasant for us. It is well we are informed so that we can be on our guard. I am afraid our game is up.""For the present at any rate we must suspend operations.
Now, have you some money for me?"
"Well, a little."
"A little? Why there are two cloaks and a silk dress pattern to be accounted for.""True, but I have to be very careful. I have to submit to a big discount for the parties 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!"
