Part 27 (1/2)
”What's the matter?” asked Mr. Murdock, who happened to come up just as Micky went into the street, and heard the last words of the altercation.
”Oh,” said Gilbert, carelessly, ”he wasn't satisfied with his pay. I gave him ten cents, but the young rascal wanted more.”
As he said this, he turned back to his desk.
”I wonder whether Gilbert's going anywhere,” thought the head clerk. ”I never knew him so extravagant before. He must be going out this evening.”
Just then it occurred to him that d.i.c.k had been absent longer than usual, and, as he needed his services, he asked, ”Has Richard returned, Mr. Gilbert?”
”I haven't seen him.”
”Did he go out at the usual time?”
”Yes.”
”What can have detained him?” said Mr. Murdock, thoughtfully.
”He's probably fallen in with some of his old friends, and forgotten all about his duties.”
”That is not his way,” said Mr. Murdock, quietly, as he walked away. He understood very well Mr. Gilbert's hostility to d.i.c.k, and that the latter was not likely to receive a very favorable judgment at his hands.
Five minutes later a boy entered the store, and, looking about him a moment in uncertainty, said, ”I want to see Mr. Murdock.”
”I am Mr. Murdock,” he answered.
”Then this note is for you.”
The clerk felt instinctively that the note was from d.i.c.k, and, not wis.h.i.+ng Gilbert to hear the conversation, motioned the boy to follow him to the back part of the store.
Then he opened and read the note quickly.
”Did Richard Hunter give this to you?” he asked.
”No,” said Tim Ryan, for that was his name. ”It was the 'copp' that arrested him.”
”I suppose a 'copp' is a policeman.”
”Yes, sir.”
”Were you present when he was arrested?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Do you know anything about it?”
”Yes, I seed it all.”
”You saw the wallet taken?”
”Yes, sir.”