The Penn's Grove record., 1886-02-06
CALCULATED REVENGE.
CHAPTER /.

1t was 10 O'Clock on Tuesday morn
ing. had already been at the office a
couple of hours, hard at work over
Iedgers and day books. They had been
my constant companions for many days
past. l was beginning to tire Of theiI
company. But at last 1 had discover
ed that of which / was in search.
l whlstled down my speaking-tube
fer Mr.. Jenkin, the head clerk of the
firm.
SIS Mr.. Macfarlane come yetPo
mo, sir,n was the reply,
felt annoyed. He ought to have
arrived half an hour ago, Was it pos
sible he had taken fright?
gave orders that he should be sent tc
me directly when he came.
l had been engaged on an important
affair but l believed l had carried ii
through successfully. So far as | knew
my examination of the books had beer
made without exciting suspicion, but
il was difficult to be quite sure.
Half an hour passed before Macfar'
lane made his appearance. When he
entered the room it was evident that
he thought he was about to be repri'
manded for his tardy arrival, for he be
gan to apologize.
L listened to his excuses which J
happened to know were pure inven'
tions, and then turned to the matter IL
hand.
"Can you explain these figures?"
asked him quietly, opening the ledger
at a certain page.
He gave a Slight start and then NOV
ed slowly forward to inspect the entry.
"What is 1t that requires exPlana'
tion?" he asked
According to the returns which J
have received from Frodsham ant
Walker" l replied, ''the amount OF
alloy in their last consignment does moi
tally with that stated in your entry,
Moreover, they do not seem to have beer
allowed the usual discount, though
you have deducted it from the sum
which you have accounted"
The evidence was az clear as day. III
could give no explanation.
sit must have been a mistake" HI
saidl "We used not to allow the
discount, and l suppose L must have
overlooked the recent change i'll my
Instructions"
sits a curious mistake" L observed,
1t has occurred in the only case II
which, in the ordinary course of bust
ness, we should have nc check on you
transactions. Pure accident rendered
me suspicious, and | resolved TO see i
there was any ground for my susp!
cions,"
He made no reply.
"Have you anything to sayf"
demanded.
"Only that it was a mistake" he re
iterated.
"I am afraid that excuse will scarce
~ be sufficient. A mistake which re
suits in a loss of IT'S pounds is not ont
that can be passed over"
"What do you mean to do?" III
asked.
NATURALLY. l shall put the whole
affair before my partnels. In the mean
time you will remain here till they de
eide what steps to take"
He moved a step toward the door
but l had my hand on the bell, and b
stopped.
81 have.told you it was mistake,
he repeated; ''but l am ready to sutfe
the consequences oft. 1t will ruin m,
to replace the money, but l can Civ,
you half of it, and you can retain TIN
balance by degrees from my salary"
"That is not the usual method il
which embezzlement is treated,n | re
piled coldly.
"Do you mean that you will prose
cute me?"
81 have no doubt whatever that th'
firm WILL"
'It's no good putting it on the firm,
he said angrily. SIT is you who havI
discovered it all. No one will know
word of it if you do not speak,"
"You confess it, then?" l asked.
81 confess to nothing except a mis-
take. 1t is for you to undertake tn
responsibility of treating it as anything
more. Are you going to ruin me
Don't you know that if l am arrested
my life is wrecked?"
1 hesitated. 1t is a serious thing L
blast a mans prospect forever, how
ever he may deserve punishment. HI
saw my hesitation, and took advantage
of it.
"Why do you want TO injure me
What good will it do your You know
l am the best man in the whole plac
Is it wise to lose me2 1 will work a
hard as a dozen of them if you will lie
me off. You will always have a holt
over me in the future, and if you Sc
me Sinking. you will always be able I
keep me up to my work. If only yoI
will keep silent! No one else knows2'
His argument was the worst he coal
have used; it determined me daally.
saw that if / consented TO hold u
tongue | should be as much at b.
mercy as he is at mine-we should :
| accomplices.
sit istoo late" 1 SAID. you shoa!,
have thought of all this before. hay
no choice"
"You will send ME 10 prison. then?'
81 shall report what | have discoy
erei."
"Very we'll, then," he said ina whis
per, 'if you do, | swear III have m.
| revengel Another couple Of years an,
l should make my fortune, now you ar
destroying everything. Take care!"
II am not TO be hindered from dc
ing my duty by idle threats ,"I retorl
ed as l rose.
"You will ind they are not idle, " h
returned. "I1l make you repent thi
day, If | have to wait half my life 70
it,