Dear sir,—­I don’t know whether you are aware that articles have been taken from your stock, say, ladies’ cloaks and silk dress patterns, and disposed of outside.  I will not tell you how it has come to my knowledge, for I do not want to get any one’s ill will, but I will say, to begin with, that they were taken by one of your employees, and the one, perhaps, that you would least suspect, for I am told that he is a favorite of yours.  I may as well say that it is Rodney Ropes.  I live near him, and last evening I saw him carry a bundle to his room when he went back from the store.  I think if you would send round today when he is out, you would find in his room one or more of the stolen articles.  I don’t want to get him into trouble, but I don’t like to see you robbed, and so I tell you what I know.  A friend.

Mr. Redwood read this letter attentively, arching his brows, perhaps to indicate his surprise.  Then he read it again carefully.

“What do you think of it?” asked the merchant.

“I don’t know,” answered Redwood slowly.

“Have you ever seen anything suspicious in the conduct of young Ropes?”

“I can’t say I have.  On the contrary, he seems to be a very diligent and industrious clerk.”

“But about his honesty.”

“I fancied him the soul of honesty.”

“So did I, but of course we are liable to be deceived.  It wouldn’t be the first case where seeming honesty has been a cover for flagrant dishonesty.”

“What do you wish me to do, Mr. Goodnow?  Shall I send Ropes down to you?”

“No; it would only give him a chance, if guilty, to cover up his dishonesty.”

“I am ready to follow your instructions.”

“Do you know where he lodges?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then I will ask you to go around there, and by some means gain admission to his room.  If he has any of our goods secreted take possession of them and report to me.”

“Very well, sir.”  Half an hour later Mrs. McCarty, Rodney’s landlady, in response to a ring admitted Mr. James Redwood.

“Does a young man named Ropes lodge here?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“I come from the house where he is employed.  He has inadvertently left in his room a parcel belonging to us, and I should be glad if you would allow me to go up to his room and take it.”

“You see, sir,” said Mrs. McCarty in a tone of hesitation, “while you look like a perfect gentleman, I don’t know you, and I am not sure whether, in justice to Mr. Ropes, I ought to admit you to his room.”

“You are quite right my good lady; I am sure.  It is just what I should wish my own landlady to do.  I will therefore ask you to go up to the room with me to see that all is right.”

“That seems all right, sir.  In that case I don’t object.  Follow me, if you please.”

As they entered Rodney’s room Mr. Redwood looked about him inquisitively.  One article at once fixed his attention.  It was a parcel wrapped in brown paper lying on the bed.