"I never heard a more outrageous falsehood!" ejaculated Manson. "The idea of paying a raw, inexperienced boy ten dollars a week! Why, it is utterly ridiculous. I shall take care to report your attempted swindle to Mr. Bradford."
"Just as you like, Mr. Manson; but first, will you cast your eyes over this note?"
Paul produced a folded sheet of note-paper, and passed it to the book-keeper.
Manson read to his amazement these words over the signature of Alexander Bradford:
"I have fixed the wages of Paul Palmer at ten dollars per week, and you are authorized to pay him that sum."
"Where did you get this paper?" asked Manson.
"Yesterday. He thought you would require his authority for paying so large a sum."
"How do I know but you have forged this note?" asked Manson.
"Probably you know Mr. Bradford's handwriting and signature. Besides, it would be foolish in me to attempt a forgery which would immediately be found out."
In fact, Manson knew that the note was genuine. He could not be mistaken in Mr. Bradford's handwriting, but he wanted to find some excuse for delaying or refusing payment. On the whole, he did not venture to do either, as he knew his employer would be offended.
"There's your money," he said, throwing the balance on the desk. "I can't say I understand it at all. I shall feel it necessary to speak to Mr. Bradford on the subject."
"I wish you would, sir, so as to remove any doubts you may have."
"It is about three times as much as you have earned."
"I won't dispute you, sir. I am quite aware that it is more than I can earn."
"Then why did Mr. Bradford pay you so much?"
"Probably he will tell you when you speak to him on the subject."
Manson was baffled, but he felt all the more annoyed that his nephew Julius had lost a situation which carried so much pay with it.
He dispatched Paul on an errand, and during his absence Julius came in.
"Well, Julius," said his uncle, "I have just been paying that boy who has got your place."
"I wish you had been paying me. I haven't got a cent to my name. Four dollars would have come mighty convenient."
"Yes; isn't that what he gets? Three dollars would be too mean."
"Ten dollars!" gasped Julius. "Oh, come now, you're fooling."
He showed Julius the note of Mr. Bradford previously referred to.