"
"Thank you, sir," replied the boy, nearly as much surprised at this
sudden turn as he had been at the first. "But I--"
"Never mind, now. I know there are many things you would like to know,
and which, perhaps, I ought to explain; but for the present you will
have to let that pass."
"I'm willing to, as long as it comes out right in the end," replied
the boy. "Thank you, Mr. Joyce, for your kindness," he added, turning
to the leather merchant, and then withdrew.
CHAPTER XXIII.
STRANGE DISCOVERIES.
Frank Massanet was surprised and delighted to have Richard come to
work again.
"You have indeed a good friend in Mr. Joyce," he remarked when the boy
had told him what the leather merchant had done. "One such is worth
a thousand of the common sort."
During the afternoon Earle Norris had occasion to come up to the stock-
room. He started back upon seeing Richard at work.
"Why, I thought you had taken a vacation!" he exclaimed.
"So I did--for an hour," replied Richard, and without further words
went on with his work.
"Why, I thought--" began the shipping-clerk.
"What did you think?" demanded Frank, coming forward.
"Why I--I----" stammered Norris. "What business is it of _yours_?"
he added rudely.
"You thought he was discharged," went on Frank.
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