Jasper lost no time in acquainting his uncle with Rodney's extraordinary good fortune. James Redwood was surprised, but not all together incredulous.
"I don't understand it" he said, "but Ropes appears to be a boy of truth. Perhaps he may have exaggerated the amount of his salary.""I hardly think so, uncle. He gave me a tip top dinner down on Park Row.""He may have been in funds from selling the articles taken from the store.""That's so!" assented Jasper, who had the best possible reason for knowing that it was not so.
"I wish the boy well," said his uncle. "He always treated me respectfully, and I never had anything against him except the loss of stock, and it is not certain that he is the thief.""I guess there isn't any doubt about that.""Yet, believing him to be a thief, you did not hesitate to accept a dinner from him.""I didn't want to hurt his feelings," replied Jasper, rather sheepishly.
"Do you know what sort of a place he has got, or with what house?""No; he wouldn't tell me.""He thought perhaps you would inform the new firm of the circumstances under which he left us. I don't blame him, but I am surprised that he should have been engaged without a recommendation.""Shall you tell Mr. Goodnow?""Not unless he asks about Ropes. I don't want to interfere with the boy in any way."In the store, as has already been stated, Jasper succeeded to Rodney's place, and in consequence his pay was raised to seven dollars a week. Still it was not equal to what it had been when he was receiving additional money from the sale of the articles stolen by Philip Carton and himself.
The way in which they had operated was this: Philip would come in and buy a cloak or a dress pattern from Jasper, and the young salesman would pack up two or three instead of one. There was a drawback to the profit in those cases, as Carton would be obliged to sell both at a reduced price. Still they had made a considerable sum from these transactions, though not nearly as much as Mr. Goodnow had lost.
After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney, the two confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any more in that line. This suspension entailed heavier loss on Carton than on Jasper. The latter had a fixed income and a home at his uncle's house, while Philip had no regular income, though he occasionally secured a little temporary employment.
In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship. His young pupil became very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made rapid progress in his lessons.
Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be considered, vindicated his wisdom by its success. At the end of a month he voluntarily raised Rodney's salary to twenty dollars a week.
"I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent," said Rodney.
"That's my lookout. Good service is worth a good salary, and Iam perfectly satisfied with you.""Thank you, sir. I prize that even more than the higher salary."Only a portion of Rodney's time was spent in teaching. In the afternoon he and his charge went on little excursions, generally to Central Park.
One holiday, about four months after the commencement of Rodney's engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in with Jasper. Jasper's attention was at once drawn to the little boy, whose dress and general appearance indicated that he belonged to a wealthy family. This excited Jasper's curiosity.
"How are you, Rodney?" said Jasper adroitly. "It is a good while since I met you.""Yes.""Who is the little boy with you?"
"His name is Arthur Sargent."
Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his secret was likely to be discovered.
"How do you do, Arthur?" asked Jasper, with unwonted affability, for he did not care for children.
"Pretty well," answered Arthur politely.
"Have you known Rodney long?"
"Why, he is my teacher," answered Arthur in some surprise.
Jasper's eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence. So this was Rodney's secret, and this was the position for which he was so well paid.
Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.
"Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?" asked Jasper without much tact.
