ircular did not say "punish accordingly." That would not have
been diplomatic.

Robb's face grew white--not with fear. All day he was silent, although
it could not be said that he was irritable. He seemed uninterested in
business and quiet--merely that.

Evan found him sitting moodily in his office late that evening. The
savings man had been proving up his ledger. He did not greet the
manager; he was going to pass on in silence when he heard his name
spoken from the armchair.

"Yes, sir." He turned toward Mr. Robb.

"Are you in a hurry?" There was no sarcasm in the tone.

Evan sat down.

"No, sir; my time isn't worth much, I guess."

The manager looked at him analytically.

"You're beginning to realize it, are you?"

Nelson explained that he meant nothing by the remark, and Robb grunted
discontentedly.

"I want you to see the circular we got to-day, Evan. Here, read that
and tell me what you think of it."

While the young man read, the man of forty, the bachelor banker,
waited. Robb was a lonesome man. He should have had a son almost as
old as Evan, but he had none--and Evan would have to answer. It was
somewhat comforting to have a confidant like him.

"Looks as if Castle did write, after all," said Evan, suddenly.

The manager smiled grimly.

"You've guessed it, I think," he said. "How would you like the current
ledger, Evan?"

"Fine!"

It never took Evan long to decide anything when his success was at
stake. He had unlimited faith in promotions and quite a strong
confidence in his own powers. The clerical quirks of banking were day
by day disappearing before his persistent faculties, and he was always
ready to take on new work for the sake of experience.

"Well," continued the manager, "I'm going to suggest to head office
that Alf is drawing too big a salary for this branch to support. It
may get me in bad, but after all is said and done I'm manager here, and
deserve a little say. If they move him the staff will be raised one
notch all round. Watson ought to make a capital teller, and--I like
him."

Before long the Mt. Alban manager wrote about the matter, without
consulting his teller. The reply he got from head office read:

"Please instruct Mr. Evan Nelson to report at once to Creek Bend,
Ontario. By taking on a new junior you can cut down expenses and still
keep your present teller.

"(Signed) I. CASTLE."

When Bill Watson saw the inspector's instructions he cur