anding him parcels of money to
count, and playing the caddy to perfection. He lifted a bag of silver,
and as he did so his bulging eyes rested waveringly on the teller, who
was watching. At the same moment Evan heard his name spoken softly
from the hall. Mrs. Penton was calling him.

"Mr. Nelson," she whispered, when they stood out of hearing in the
shadow of the hall, "I want to ask you something."

Her patient face bore a frightened look, her eyes and voice were
beseeching.

"What is it, Mrs. Penton?" he asked, kindly.

"It's about Pen," she said. "You'll try to help out, won't you?"

He wondered if she knew about the missing money. Had Penton told her?

"You mean about--about drink?"

"Yes," she answered, vaguely; "there's nothing--else--is--there?"

No, she did not know about the silver. Why had Penton not told her?
It seemed to Evan that she should have known about the loss, especially
since her husband was putting up half of it. But he knew she would
never suspect Penton of stealing, and therefore any reference to the
shortage would be incomprehensible to her. If she thought the teller
suspected her husband she would be heartbroken. Evan's thoughts flew.
After all, he had no proof that the manager had taken the silver, and
before he voiced his suspicion to Mrs. Penton, or head office either,
he must have proof.

She stood gazing at him, waiting for his promise. She looked so
girlish and dependent he forgot danger and only remembered that a
woman's happiness was at stake. It gave him a heroic impulse.

"I'll do all I can, Mrs. Penton," he said, quietly. "Things seem to
have started off smoothly, and I think everything will be all right."

The young woman was in a party dress and a party humor. She took
Evan's hands in her own and pressed them. "You are a dear," she
whispered, and fluttered back to her guests.

Evan hated Penton at that moment more, perhaps, than he ever
had--though not so much as he would hate him. The young wife's faith
resolved the teller, however, to watch the manager instead of telling
head office about his drunkenness. It was hardly likely Penton would
get another chance to rob the cash; he was a coward and would be afraid
to try again.

It surprised the teller to know that Mr. Castle would take a drink,
particularly with Penton. Was it a trick of the inspector's? If it
was, he would approach the teller before going back to Toronto. Evan
would let it rest at