h the heavy rubber band.

Both he and the merchant passed within the smaller office, and the door
of communication was immediately closed.

Tellers and bookkeepers started back to work, with various significant
smiles and nods.

"Has to put his long hand down at last in his bag and get out the
securities he had intended keeping for his old age," whispered Pliny,
turning to Dick, and then immediately adding: "Why, what's the matter,
Dick, you look pale?"

"Nothing," replied the other; but somehow he found himself still
listening as if he really expected to hear further sounds from the
interior of the cashier's retreat.

Voices reached them as if the two men were in earnest consultation.

Then the door opened and Mr. Goodwyn poked his head out.

He looked worried, much more so than Dick had ever seen him before.

Yes, something had indeed happened, and a vague sense of impending peril
seemed to overwhelm the boy, so that his knees actually quivered while
he stood there, not through fear, for he had done nothing to bring about
such a feeling, but simply nervous excitement.

"Mr. Payson, kindly step in here," said the cashier.

The paying teller did so with alacrity, and remained inside some five
minutes, finally returning to his desk without saying a word to any of
his associates, and looking rather mystified and uneasy.

Then Mr. Winslow was asked to join the two who were in the other
apartment, and when he too came out his face was white, and in his eyes
there seemed to be something bordering on dread, such as suspicion cast
upon his good name must always breed in the mind of a bank employee.

Next the bookkeeper had his inning.

Dick still waited, knowing that sooner or later he was apt to have his
turn.

Just as he expected, Pliny Kassam was not called upon; that must be
because he had been absent up to the morning of this same day.

As the bookkeeper resumed his work he did not look quite so jolly as
usual; in fact a line as of new anxiety had come between his eyes, and
Dick imagined he gave a quick glance toward him as though something that
was said had caused suspicion to be aroused toward the new messenger.

"It's coming, whatever it all means!" Dick was saying mentally, as he
tried to get a grip upon his pulses and fortify himself for the ordeal.

Then his bell rang--he was wanted in the cashier's office.

CHAPTER XIV

UNDER SUSPICION

One thing struck Dick as singular.

As the be