ss these
are the same."

"Oh, if that's the case, leave them, by all means," Garside cried. "I
was not aware that he had called there. Probably they are for some order
of which he has personal charge. Yes, yes, Mr. Boyden, leave them,
certainly. Here, Joseph, place the package in one of the vault drawers,
and hand it to Mr. Venner when he returns. Sorry to have detained you so
long, Mr. Boyden. Had you begun by stating that Venner called yesterday
upon Mr. Hafferman, I should not have demurred over the matter."

"There's no harm done, Mr. Garside, none whatever," replied Boyden,
bowing and smiling. "I appreciate your caution, sir. If there proves to
have been any mistake in ordering them, you can easily return the
stones. Good-morning, sir."

Garside replied with a nod over his shoulder, having turned to hand the
parcel to his clerk back of the counter, and Boyden immediately
departed.

"Is that young man an acquaintance of yours, Maynard?" inquired Mr.
Garside.

"Yes, sir. He has been with Hafferman for several years."

"Doubtless it's all right, then. Odd, though, that Venner should have
made no mention to me of this order. Hand him the package as soon as he
comes in."

"I will, sir, at once."

Maynard had already placed the small parcel in a drawer of the huge
steel vault back of the counter, and he now resumed the work at which he
had been engaged.

Mr. Garside sauntered toward the front of the store, and presently
greeted a lady who entered.

Twenty minutes passed, and the incident of the diamonds was almost
forgotten by both employer and clerk.

Soon both were reminded of it, however, by the entrance of another
man--a smooth-featured young fellow, with pale blue eyes, a sallow
complexion, slightly pock-marked. He was of medium height, and well put
together, and was clad in a neat business suit of fashionable
appearance.

Quickly approaching Mr. Garside, who was then disengaged, he tendered
one of Thomas Hafferman's business cards, and said, glibly, while bowing
and laughing lightly:

"Excuse me, Mr. Garside, but we rather owe you an apology. Our Mr.
Boyden left some diamonds with you a short time ago, which should have
been delivered to Tiffany & Co. Mr. Hafferman read the order without his
spectacles, and it's rather a good joke on him, for he thought it was
signed Venner & Co. The blunder was partly owing to the fact, no doubt,
that Mr. Venner called to see him yesterday about some diamonds."