“Counted them Milton cloths last night and this morning,” said Will. “Ain’t reported yet.”
“I don’t think you have done your work very carefully Will,” said the merchant, smiling. “Here is the invoice, you see. One hundred pieces. And here is Joe Ware’s tally, marked correct.”
“I don’t keer three cents for Joe Ware’s tally,” said Will, balancing himself on the arm of a chair. “I counted them goods, and here’s my tally. If it ain’t O. K., I’ll eat an elephant. I ain’t much of a reader, but I can count the straightest streak you ever saw.”
“But the pieces would not fit evenly in the boxes if any of them was short,” said Mr. Leonard.
“Nor they don’t, neither,” persisted Will. “You never seen sich packing.”
“That will do, Will. Leave your tally here, and be off on your errand. I am glad to see you are so diligent.”
With a flush of pleasure Will left the office and the store.
He had scarcely disappeared when his employer hastily rose, and opening the door of the office, called Mr. Johnson.
“Do you think Joe Ware was correct in his count of those Milton cloths?” he asked.
“Certainly,” replied Mr. Johnson, in surprise. “I never knew him to make a mistake.”
“Yet I would prefer to have them counted again. Please go into the basement yourself, and keep the account of them while one of the men removes them from the cases.”
“Very well, sir,” replied Mr. Johnson, leaving the office in great astonishment. Such an order had never been given before during his years of service with Mr. Leonard. There was obviously something wrong.
Mr. Johnson was absent for a considerable time, during which the merchant pushed aside his work pettishly and rose and paced the floor of his office. His mind was evidently in an unsettled state.
Will returned and delivered the stamps and envelopes he had been sent for, and passed out again to his duties in the store, with a sharp glance at his restless employer.
“Well, sir, what result?” asked the merchant, hastily.
“It is the strangest thing,” said Mr. Johnson; “Ninety-seven pieces.”
“Are you sure?” asked Mr. Leonard, seating himself, nervously. “Can there be no mistake?”
“Ninety-seven is correct. There is one piece short in each of three cases,” was the reply.
“This is a very mysterious business,” replied the merchant, seriously. “Yesterday afternoon they were all correct. This morning they are three pieces short. What can have occurred in the night? There is no evidence of burglary. The store was firmly closed this morning?”