uld be no guile in those clear eyes that looked straight
into his own.

After a little while Dick was allowed to go.

He had answered every question to the best of his ability, and he
wondered if after all the suspicions of the president could have been
directed in the same quarter as his own.

All that day he held his counsel, and said nothing to any one about what
was passing in his mind.

Matters went on just as usual in the bank, for not a whisper about the
missing securities had gotten out; though this immunity could not be
expected to continue long; for Mr. Graylock would have to explain to his
creditors, who were gathering like a flock of buzzards about the carcass
of a dead cow, how it came he could not raise the large sum of money he
had promised to have ready to liquidate a proportion of their claims,
and then the public must know what had happened.

Dick wondered also if he would be able to hold his head just as erect
when he fancied people on the street were pointing at him and whispering
significantly.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE RECEIVING TELLER FREES HIS MIND

The day dragged its course along, but it seemed as though closing time
would never come to Dick.

He knew that Mr. Gibbs was busily engaged, and that he held several
talks with some one over the wire; the cashier looked solemn enough to
make people imagine he had lost some of his family, for this was a
serious piece of business with Mr. Goodwyn, and he felt it keenly,
perhaps more than Dick imagined.

The boy had determined that he would speak to Mr. Winslow about the
suspicion he was harboring, for he believed he was sure to find more or
less sympathy in that quarter, after hearing what the teller had thought
of Mr. Graylock.

As the other got away some time before his duties were done he thought
it best to approach him after the luncheon period--and a new rule had
been put in force now to the effect that one of the tellers must remain
in the bank all the time, so that business might not be interrupted--it
is easy to shut the stable door after the horse is stolen; but at least
by such an act a second robbery may be prevented.

"I would like to ask your opinion and advice about something, Mr.
Winslow, if I could see you somewhere after closing hours," Dick said,
coming up to the teller's window.

The other thought a few seconds, as though he might be wondering whether
it would be good policy for them to be seen conferring together;