“I suppose you haven’t thought of any other solution of the question?” said Benton, slowly scrutinizing the face of his employer.
“Well, sir, I have, but I don’t like to mention it.”
“If you suspect anything, it’s your duty to tell me.”
“Well, perhaps it is, but I might be doing injustice to Grant.”
“Good Heavens, man, don’t tantalize me in this way. What do you suspect?”
“Well, sir, the boy always appears to have money.”
“He seems to be economical, and I pay him well. That counts for nothing.”
“No, sir, but—some one told me that he had seen him entering a gambling-house on the street.”
“Ha! that would account for his needing a good deal of money. By the way, do you ever enter such places?”
“I have entered out of curiosity, sir,” answered Benton, with a burst of candor. “I wanted to see what they were like.”
“But about the boy—have you ever _seen_ him take anything from the drawer?”
“I couldn’t be sure of it, but once when he was alone I entered suddenly, and saw him near the drawer. He flushed up and came away in a hurry. I couldn’t _swear_ that he took anything.”
However, Benton’s tone implied that he felt sure of it all the same, and so it impressed Mr. Smithson.
“Did you have any recommendations with Grant?” inquired Benton, in an insinuating tone.
“No; but, then, I had none with you, either.”
“That is true. Still, I hope you have confidence in me.”
“I know of no reason why I should not. Do you know if Grant drinks?”
“Does he drink at all?” asked Smithson curtly.
“One evening I saw him coming out of a drinking saloon pretty well loaded. That is the only time, however.”
“It was once too often. Benton, I have been greatly deceived in that fellow. I thought him a model boy.”
“So did I, sir, and I don’t think he is _very_ bad now. Perhaps he has been a little indiscreet.”
“It is very kind of you to excuse him; but if what you say is true, I shall not be able to retain him in my employment.”
“Give him a little more time. Remember that I _know_ nothing positive to his discredit. He _may_ not have taken the money.”
This half-hearted defence of Grant led Mr. Smithson to think that Benton was his friend and spoke against him unwillingly. It never occurred to him that his senior waiter was only seeking to divert suspicion from himself.