Part 43 (2/2)
Gilbert did not believe this, but suspected that Micky intended to betray him, and to this of course he had a decided objection.
”Go out!” he said, imperiously, ”or I'll make you.”
”I won't then,” said Micky, defiantly.
”We'll see about that.”
Gilbert seized him by the shoulders; but Micky was accustomed to fighting, and made a vigorous resistance. In the midst of the fracas Mr.
Rockwell came up.
”What does this mean?” he demanded, in a quiet but authoritative tone.
”This young rascal has attempted to force his way in,” said the book-keeper, desisting, and with a flushed face.
”I asked to see you,” said Micky, ”and he said I shouldn't.”
”I told him to come,” said Mr. Rockwell. ”You may come into the counting-room, Michael. Mr. Gilbert, I should like your presence also.”
In surprise, not unmingled with foreboding, Mr. Gilbert followed his employer and Micky Maguire into the counting-room.
”Mr. Gilbert,” commenced Mr. Rockwell, ”are you acquainted with this boy?”
”He blacked my boots on one occasion,” said the book-keeper; ”I know no more of him except that he is a young vagabond and a thief.”
”Who hired me to steal?” retorted Micky.
”I don't think you would need any hiring,” said Gilbert, with a sneer.
Micky was about to retort in no choice terms, but Mr. Rockwell signed to him to be silent.
”This boy has made a charge against you, Mr. Gilbert,” he said, ”which you ought to be made aware of.”
”He is capable of any falsehood,” said the book-keeper; but he began to be nervous.
”I thought your acquaintance with him was very slight.”
”So it is; but it is easy to judge from his looks what he is.”
”That is not always a safe guide. But to the charge. He a.s.serts that you hired him to fix the charge of theft upon Richard, on account of your dislike to him.”
”So he did, and all he give me was a dollar,” said Micky, aggrieved.
”That was mean.”
”Do you believe this story?” asked Gilbert, turning to Mr. Rockwell.
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