o return the book. He might have
replaced it in the trunk, but as Henry had thoroughly searched it, he
would at once suspect that it bad been replaced. Besides, Henry might
wake up, and detect him in the act.
After some consideration, Sam put it into Henry's inside coat pocket,
and then, undressing himself, went to bed.
"I've got clear of it now," he thought, "and whatever Henry suspects,
he can't prove anything."
The next morning, as Henry was dressing, he chanced to put his hand in
his coat pocket, and drew out the book.
"What's that?" asked Sam, who had been watching him.
"It's my savings-bank book," answered Henry.
"Where did you find it?"
"In my pocket."
"Then, you didn't put it in your trunk, after all?"
"Yes, I did."
"That's foolish. If you had, it wouldn't have got into your pocket."
Henry did not reply, but, examining the book, discovered to his
satisfaction that no money had been withdrawn.
"You see you were wrong," said Sam.
"At any rate, I am glad to get the book back again," said Henry,
quietly.
"I wonder if he suspects anything," thought Sam.
Henry did suspect, but he was determined to verify his suspicions
before saying a word on the subject.
During the day he managed to get away from the store long enough to
visit the savings-bank. He went at once to the desk where payments
were made, and, showing his book, asked the clerk if he remembered
whether any one had presented it the day before.
"Yes," was the answer. "A friend of yours wanted to draw out some
money on your account; but of course we did not pay it without your
order."
"I am glad you didn't."
"Then you did not send the boy who presented it?"
"No."
"I thought it might be so."
"How much did he want to draw?"
"Twenty dollars."
Henry looked serious. This certainly looked bad for Sam. He did not
like to think that a boy to whom he had always been kind would so
abuse his confidence.
"I shall take better care of my book in future," he said. "The boy had
no authority from me to draw money."
"We saw that the signature was not correct, and refused to honor the
draft."
Henry made a deposit of two dollars, increasing the amount to
twenty-eight dollars, and then left the bank. On his way back to the
store, he made up his mind that he would no longer room with Sam. Even
if he increased his expenses, he could not consent to have for a
roommate one who had made an attempt to defraud him.
|