"Chester," said Mr. Fairchild, "has Mr. Mullins mentioned to you that I start next Monday on a Western trip?"

 

"I heard him say so to a gentleman in here on business."

 

"I shall have to leave Mr. Mullins to take charge of the office and run the business. The time was when I would have done so with confidence, but the affair of James Long has made me distrustful. He thoroughly² understands my business, and it would be difficult for me to supply his place. For the present, therefore, I feel obliged to retain him. During my absence, however, I wish, if you see anything wrong, that you would apprise³ me of it by letter. You may direct letters to Palmer's Hotel, Chicago, and they will be forwarded to me from there. What is your address?"

 

Chester gave it, and Mr. Fairchild wrote it down.

 

"It is rather unusual," continued Mr. Fairchild, "for a man in my position to make a confidant of his office boy, but I have observed you carefully, and I believe that you are not only intelligent, but are faithful to my interests."

 

"Thank you, sir," said Chester, with genuine gratification. "I think I can promise you that you will not be disappointed in me."

 

"Of course Mr. Mullins must not know of the understanding between us. Don't breathe a hint of what I have said."

 

"No, sir, I will not."

 

"In case you think it necessary you may telegraph to me. I hope, however, that no such emergency will arise."

 

Chester asked himself whether it was his duty to apprise Mr. Fairchild of his seeing Mullins in intimate companionship with a gambler, but, on the whole, decided⁴ not to do so. He did not wish needlessly to prejudice his employer against the bookkeeper.

 

On Monday morning Mr. Fairchild left the office and took the Sixth Avenue Elevated train to Cortlandt Street station, from which it is only five minutes' walk to the ferry connecting with the train on the Pennsylvania Railroad.

分享到：