Gibbs and the
cashier in the president's room for an hour, came out, gravely shook
hands all around, and departed.
The bookkeeper heaved a mighty sigh of relief.
"That job's off my hands for six months or more," he said, with evident
satisfaction.
Dick could just catch the little chuckle that the receiving teller
allowed to escape him upon hearing this remark; but by no look did Mr.
Winslow betray his consciousness of a knowledge of the truth.
Things went on for two days just about as usual.
The failure of Archibald Graylock proved to be worse than was at first
supposed possible, and it was now declared that after the affairs of the
bankrupt firm had been adjusted the creditors might receive even less
than twenty cents on the dollar.
Mr. Graylock went about looking quite forlorn, as a man whose business
was ruined might be expected to appear; but once when he was passing
out of the bank Dick, watching closely, felt sure that he saw a little
sneer pass over his angular face, as though some sudden thought had
pleased him.
Dick was treated with the utmost kindness by every one for all knew the
story of the fire, and Pliny never ceased to deplore the wretched fate
that seemed to debar him from playing so heroic a role.
When he could do so Dick sought out the teller, for he was anxious to
know whether Mr. Cheever was at work, even though unseen by those in the
bank.
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