it?"

"Jasper Redwood. Of course you know him."

"Yes," answered Rodney with a presentiment of evil.

He felt that it would be dangerous to have Jasper know of his present
position, but did not venture to give a hint of this to James.

His fears were not groundless. Only the day after James met Jasper on
the street.

"Anything new?" asked Jasper.

"Yes; we've got one of your old friends in our store."

"Who is it?"

"Rodney Ropes."

Jasper stopped short, and whistled. He was excessively surprised, as he
supposed Rodney still to be Arthur Sargent's tutor.

"You don't mean it?" he ejaculated.

"Why not? Is there anything so strange about it?"

"Yes. Did Ropes bring a recommendation from Mr. Goodnow?"

"I suppose so. I don't know."

"If he did, it's forged."

"Why should it be?"

"Goodnow wouldn't give him a recommendation."

"Why wouldn't he?"

"Because he discharged Ropes. Do you want to know why?"

"Yes."

"For stealing articles from the store."

It was the turn of James Hicks to be surprised.

"I can't believe it," he said.

"Its true. Just mention the matter to Ropes, and you'll see he won't
deny it."

"I think there must be some mistake about it. Rodney doesn't look like a
fellow that would steal."

"Oh, you can't tell from appearances--Rogues are always plausible."

"Still mistakes are sometimes made. I'd trust Rodney Ropes sooner than
any boy I know."

"You don't know him as well as I do."

"You don't like him?" said James shrewdly.

"No I don't. I can't like a thief."

"You talk as if you had a grudge against him."

"Nothing but his being a thief. Well, what are you going to do about
it?"

"About what?"

"What I have just told you."

"I don't feel that I have any call to do anything."

"You ought to tell your employer."

"I am no telltale," said James scornfully.

"Then you will let him stay in the store, knowing him to be a thief?"

"I don't know him to be a thief. If he steals anything it will probably
be found out."

Jasper urged James to give information about Rodney, but he steadily
refused.

"I leave others to do such dirty work," he said, "and I don't think any
better of you, let me tell you, for your eagerness to turn the boy out
of his position."

"You are a queer boy."

"Think so if you like," retorted Hicks. "I might give my opinion of
you."

At this point Jasper thought it best to let the conversation drop. He
was much pleased to learn that