“No. The hand is plainly a disguised one.”
“Perhaps so. I am not sure. I would like to compare it with the handwriting in the custom-house entry. Can I have the check for a day or two?”
“Tell me all the particulars of the forgery.”
Mr. Leonard proceeded to give him the information with which the reader is already acquainted; to which his visitor listened with intense interest.
“There’s a deep one at work here, but I bet he’ll have a shallow spot,” said the detective. “There’s a traitor in your own store. I had best pay for my goods and take them away. If I act the country customer, I will have an excuse for often dropping in. Good-day. I have been long enough here.”
Resuming his hat, Mr. Fitler left the office.
Mr. Abraham Smith, as the country customer called himself, paid for the small bill of goods which he had purchased.
“How shall we ship them?” asked the clerk.
“You needn’t mind. Just lay them by. Might have to buy something else before I go back and can have all sent together.”
“Very well,” said the clerk. “That will be all right.”
“I’ve got a deal to ’tend to, you see,” said Mr. Smith, confidentially. “Ain’t seen my city relatives fer two years, and they’re a bit r’iled about it. Good day, Mr.--What did you say your name was?”
“Good-day, Mr. Harvey. I’ll call ag’in. I want to have another chat with Mr. Leonard about family matters.”
Mr. Smith left the office, quite innocent of the fact that he left a breeze of amusement behind him.
“Well, not just now,” said Mr. Smith, slowly. “Lay them away till I call around ag’in.”
“What did you say was the best growin’ potater?” asked Will, posting himself in the doorway.
Mr. Smith brushed past him as if he was tired of being catechised.
“I know a durn sight more about ’taters than you do, that’s certain,” said Will to himself. “There’s somethin’ underhand at work here. If I don’t twig what it is afore long, my name ain’t Willful Will.”
“What are you doing here?” said Mr. Wilson, just then entering. “Can you find no work, that you must be lounging round the front door? Come in. I will find something for you to do.”
He spoke sharply, as if much displeased at Will’s idleness.
“Dunno that I’m much afeard of work,” said the latter. “Nobody round here says that. No use throwin’ hints as if I wasn’t ready to do what I take holt of.”