he office," said A. P.
when they were outside; "I want to tell you what happened last night."

Evan lit a cigarette, probably to fortify his nerves against an
anticipated shock.

"You weren't gone long," said Henty, "when the manager went over to
Filter and talked a while in whispers. Then he came to me and began
shooting off about my good work and a lot of other rot, gradually
leading up to what was on his mind, and sort of preparing me for the
third degree. 'Henty,' he said at last, springing it, 'I suppose you
know we had a loss around here? Now I want to ask you something
confidentially. You don't think Nelson would take it, do you?' I
looked at him and told him he'd better roll over--not exactly in those
words. 'I don't think he would either,' said Penton.

"When he and the inspector had their heads together inside the vault I
asked Filter what the manager had been saying to him. It was exactly
what he had said to me. 'What's the matter with them?' said Filter;
that's all. Some day Filter'll wake up and get enthusiastic about
something; I think it'll be in the next world, though."

Evan laughed. It was such a fine spring morning he could not have
forebodings. He was not worried by what Henty had told him.

"He's just trying to smooth things over, A. P.," said the teller.

"Do you think so?"

"Sure."

The junior sighed, like one who tells an ostensibly funny story without
effect. The teller threw away his cigarette half-smoked.

"I don't feel much like work this morning, A. P.," he said. "I'd
rather go out into the woods and tap a tree for sap."

"It's a little late for that, I'm afraid."

"Do you know anything about sugar-making, Henty?"

"You bet; I made sap-troughs all one winter and emptied two hundred of
them every day in the spring. You'll have to come down home with me
sometime."

"Thanks," replied the teller, "I'd like to. Will you return the visit?"

"Just try me."

When they reached the bank Penton was already there, but the inspector
was not yet around.

"Well, how are you this morning, Nelson?" asked Penton, in a
business-like tone. Henty walked on through to his corner of the
office. He never stayed in the neighborhood of W. W. Penton any longer
than was absolutely necessary.

"All right, thank you," answered the teller, turning to go to work.

Penton framed up a stage mien and spoke in a dramatic or tragic
whisper. Evan had no difficulty in seeing through the ma