alled into consultation, he
suddenly grasped the truth.

The government bank examiner, to be sure!

Mr. Winslow had said they expected a visit from one of these officials,
who make periodical visits to all national banks, to see that they are
complying strictly with the government requirements.

It seemed too bad that he should time his visit just when there were so
many things happening to cause anxiety among the bank officials; but
that was the way it often happened.

Of course he had nothing to do with the fact of the securities being
gone; since that was a private affair between Mr. Gibbs and Mr.
Graylock, and the bank could not be held accountable unless it was
clearly shown that one of the employees were guilty.

About ten o'clock Dick's bell rang, and he went into the president's
room.

Here he found half a dozen gentlemen, all connected with the affairs of
the bank, sitting about the directors' table as though they had been in
serious consultation.

Mr. Gibbs was at the head.

The others looked very sober, but Dick rejoiced to see that the
president apparently was as clear-headed as usual; and whether his smile
was forced or natural it certainly gave the messenger boy new hope that
the affairs of the bank could not be in such grave peril after all.

For that was what he was beginning to fear from the grave looks of so
many people around him.

"Richard, I wish you to go to the stable where my horse is kept, tell
Jerry to hitch him up for you, and then drive as fast as you can to my
house with this note. Give it to my wife, and wait until she hands you a
package. Be very careful, my boy to get that safely here without delay.
I would send the porter with you but he is sick, and the others are very
busy, with the bank examiner in charge. I can trust you to perform this
service promptly, Richard, can I not?"

Dick felt his heart in his throat, so to speak, as the president thus
publicly announced the faith he had in his integrity; coming as it did
on the heels of that strange disappearance of Mr. Graylock's securities,
and the suspicion that for a brief time had fallen on his shoulders, it
almost unmanned the messenger, so that there were actually tears in his
eyes as he looked straight at Mr. Gibbs and said as resolutely as he
could:

"Yes, sir; I would do anything for you."

"I believed as much, Richard, or I would not send you, for it is very
important that you get the package to me without loss o