He had strolled by the house early in the evening, having fully recovered from the injuries resulting from the runaway, and was on the point of passing through the gate, when he observed a figure ahead of him.  One quick glance disclosed that it was young Gordon, on his way to pass the evening there.  That knowledge caused the dude to wheel about and go to the hotel, where he made his home.  And as he strode along the highway, his heart overflowed with the bitterness of gall and wormwood.

He made no attempt to conceal his feelings on the following day, when he and Gordon came in contact at the store.  Tom avoided him as much as possible; but, of necessity, they occasionally came together, and the repulsion was mutual.  This unpleasantness was fully offset not only by the consciousness of the regard of Miss Warmore, but by the cordial manner of her father.  Those signs of distrust which he had shown during the past week were gone, and his kindness and consideration for the young man were so marked as to attract the attention of all.  It was clear that the mists between them had vanished.

Chapter XXIII.

That night, after the establishment of Mr. Warmore was closed and the employees had gone home, two persons remained behind to engage in earnest consultation.  They were the proprietor and G. Field Catherwood, the young man who expected, at the end of the year, to become an equal partner with him.  The doors were fastened, and the two sat alone in the private office, the expression on the faces of both showing that some grave matter weighed upon them.

“How long has this been going on?” asked Mr. Warmore.

“For two weeks or more; that is to say, I discovered it about a fortnight ago.  No doubt it has been kept up in a small way for a long time previous to that.”

“How much do you suppose has been taken altogether?”

“Several hundred dollars; perhaps a thousand.”

“And your suspicions point to Mr. Gordon?”

“I am sorry to say they do.  Of course he was the last one to suspect; but, when I began quietly investigating, the trail led unmistakably to him.”

“What caused you first to suspect him, Mr. Catherwood?”

“Well, when a merchant finds some, one of his employees is robbing him, the most natural thing to do is to look into the habits of them all.  If he discovers that one is living beyond his means, he naturally probes a little farther; and, if his habits prove to be extravagant, the suspicion increases.”

“What did you find out about Mr. Gordon?”

“I accidentally learned that he has a considerable sum in the savings-bank.”

“He deserves credit for that.”

“True, if that which was deposited was his own.  Besides, he spends a good deal of money.”

“In what way?”

“In the first place, on his clothes.”

“He certainly is well dressed, but no more so than his salary will permit.”