Part 14 (2/2)

When I got the summons he said that he was going into the country, and would serve it on Mr. Morley.”

”Alexander,” said Asher in an awful tone, ”I gave you money for your railway fare to go to Rickwell. What have you done with that money, wretched boy?”

”I went to the Hippodrome with another boy,” wept Alexander. ”I thought as I'd take the holiday, as you'd think I was in the country. Please, sir, I'm very sorry, but I thought Mr. Wilson was all right.”

”Did Mr. Wilson come back to say that all was right?” demanded Steel sharply.

”No, sir, he didn't. Mother and I ain't set eyes on him since he went away to serve the summons. I was afraid to tell you, sir,” he added to his master, ”'cause I knew I'd done wrong. But I hope you won't be hard on me, sir.”

”Alexander,” said Mr. Asher, ”you have disgraced a most respectable office, and can no longer continue in it. You have spent money, you have wasted time, both given to you for a certain purpose. For the sake of your mother, who is a hard-working woman, I shall not take any legal steps. But from this day you cease to be in our employment. Your wages for the week shall be confiscated, since you have made free with my money. At five to-day, Alexander, you leave this place forever.”

”Oh, sir--please, sir--I didn't----”

”Alexander, I have spoken. You can depart.”

With a howl the boy went out of the room, and sat weeping in the outer office for at least ten minutes. He was wondering what he should say to his mother, for she was a terrible woman, with a short temper and a hard hand. His fellow-clerks demanded what was the matter, but Alexander had sense enough to keep his own counsel. All he said was that the governor had discharged him, and then he wept afresh.

While thus employed Steel made his appearance. He had been discussing the matter with Asher, and had proposed a course of action in connection with the delinquent to which Asher agreed. He advanced to the weeping Alexander and lifted him from his seat by the collar.

”Come, young man,” said he, ”take me home to your mother at once.”

”Oh, Lor',” cried Alexander, ”she'll give me beans!”

”You deserve the worst beating she can give you,” said Steel severely, while the clerks grinned. ”However, you must come with me. Where do you live?”

”Warder Street, Lambeth,” snuffled Alexander, and urged by the hand on his collar, went out of the office with the detective.

”We'll take a hansom,” said Steel, and shortly was ensconced in one with the miserable Alexander.

As a rule a ride in a hansom would have been a joy to Master Benker, but he was too much afraid of the meeting with his mother to take any pleasure in the treat. However, he relied on the promise of the detective that he would sooth the maternal ire, and managed to reply fairly well to the questions Steel asked. These referred to Mr. Wilson.

”Who is he?” demanded the detective.

”Mother's lodger,” replied Alexander; ”he's been with her six months, and mother thought a deal of him. He was kind to me.”

”Ah! Was he well off?”

”I don't know. He paid his rent regular, but he wore shabby clothes, and was always out. I only saw him at night when I came home from the office.”

”Did he ask you many questions about the office?”

”Oh, yes. He said he wished me to get on--that I was a smart boy, and a credit to my mother.”

”So you are,” answered Steel genially. ”I'm sure she'll give you a proof of her approval to-day. Now don't cry, boy.” Steel shook Alexander, and then demanded suddenly, ”You copy all the letters, do you not?”

”Yes, I do,” answered Master Benker, wondering why this was asked.

”And you read them sometimes?”

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