I would send the porter with you but he is sick, and the others are very
busy, with the bank examiner in charge. I can trust you to perform this
service promptly, Richard, can I not?"
Dick felt his heart in his throat, so to speak, as the president thus
publicly announced the faith he had in his integrity; coming as it did
on the heels of that strange disappearance of Mr. Graylock's securities,
and the suspicion that for a brief time had fallen on his shoulders, it
almost unmanned the messenger, so that there were actually tears in his
eyes as he looked straight at Mr. Gibbs and said as resolutely as he
could:
"Yes, sir; I would do anything for you."
"I believed as much, Richard, or I would not send you, for it is very
important that you get the package to me without loss of time," said the
president, kindly. And Dick, as he hastened after his cap and umbrella
was saying to himself that Harvey Gibbs could read a boy's soul better
than any man in the world.
"Where away, Dick?" asked Mr. Winslow as he saw the boy pass his window.
"On an errand for Mr. Gibbs, sir," replied the boy.
"Can you take these notices with you, Dick?" asked the bookkeeper,
holding up a bunch of papers, such as the bank messenger was in the
habit of delivering on his rounds.
"Not just now, sir. I am in a great hurry."
He waited no longer to explain things, but hastened around the corner to
the livery stable where, as he knew, Mr.
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