d no time to hunt for it, and besides
concluded it had blown into the river. But I kept the envelope to
remember his address," he said.

Mr. Graylock laughed scornfully, almost triumphantly, Dick thought.

"Let me see that envelope, young man," he snarled, and having fairly
snatched it out of Dick's hand he gave one glance and then held it up.

"Just what I thought! Look at that, will you, Mr. Goodwyn; up in the
corner is this firm address: 'Cassidy and Prime, Stock Brokers,
Boston!'"

The cashier took the envelope, and then said huskily:

"This begins to appear like a serious thing for you, Morrison. I really
feel sorry for your mother. Sit down again; I am not yet through with
you!"

CHAPTER XV

MR. GRAYLOCK SEEMS DISAPPOINTED

Somehow or other Dick did not seem to be greatly alarmed by these
significant words of Mr. Goodwyn.

Perhaps it was because he did not fully understand their import, or
catch the tremendous importance of that broker's address upon the empty
envelope; then again the consciousness of his entire innocence may have
had something to do with it.

Had he been asked, however, it is very possible the boy would have
imputed his bold front to the fact that he saw the look of almost savage
delight on the vindictive countenance of Mr. Graylock, and was
determined that he would give that gentleman little cause to gloat over
his apparent downfall.

So he smiled as he sat down again and faced the uneasy cashier.

"I don't see why you should be sorry for my mother, Mr. Goodwyn. I have
done nothing that I need be ashamed of, and she will believe me, no
matter what happens. I have been like other boys, in their sports and in
playing pranks, but Mr. Goodwyn, I never deceived her in my life," he
said, with some show of feeling.

"That sounds very nice, Richard. I wish I could believe you. Of course
you can see that this envelope needs immediate explanation; for your
story about having a boy friend in that office is rather far-fetched, to
say the least," the cashier went on.

"I should say it did--fishy, I should call it," muttered Mr. Graylock,
with a shake of his head.

"All the same it is true. His name is Frank Patterson, and he used to
live here in Riverview," asserted the boy.

"I remember such a boy; but that does not prove your assertion by any
means. Do you know I can telegraph to that office and discover the
truth?"

He was watching the face of the other closely, expecting hi