Gibbs said:
"Don't go, Richard. I may have need of you."
He knew that this was hardly so, and suspected that the president
intended that he should be a witness of what followed; possibly
believing that since Mr. Graylock had done all he could to cast
suspicion on the messenger it was only fair that Dick should be present
at his downfall.
At any rate, the boy was only too glad to have the opportunity, and he
thought Mr. Winslow's assertion regarding his luck must have some basis
after all.
Mr. Graylock looked around him as if surprised that there should be a
stranger present; he had met Mr. Cheever, as a bank examiner, but he
certainly could not understand how the other could have any interest in
his private affairs.
He turned, therefore, with an expression of surprise upon his thin
face, as if he would ask Mr. Gibbs what he might understand by this
gathering.
"Have a chair, Mr. Graylock, please," said the president, and he
certainly looked as solemn as though circumstances had arisen whereby he
felt it necessary, for the honor of the bank, to hand over to the
gentleman the equal of the securities that had so mysteriously vanished
while in the vault of the institution.
Mr. Graylock dropped into a seat and waited; if he was agitated, he did
not show it in his face or manner, as yet.
"I have sent for you, Mr. Graylock," began the president, "in connection
with the securities which you brought to this bank some time ago, and
which were strangely missing from the packet which was handed out when
you demanded them.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181