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 ing of the overcoat to keep it safe, till he could think of an explanation.

For a week he had thought of little else. Night after night it had kept him awake for hours and hours. Well—it needn't any more! He could go to bed and to sleep now. He would leave the bond in its deep hiding-place till morning and then slip it hastily into his bag, when Sheilah wasn't looking (she always lay down now right after breakfast) and give it back to Mr. Fairchild as soon as he reached the office.

With a sigh of relief he got up, put out the light, and stole softly back into the dining-room, hung up the overcoat on its back hook, and crawled between the covers on the couch.

Just when would he return the bond? Just how? He seldom saw Mr. Fairchild alone. Would he ask if he might see him alone? And once alone, how would it be best to begin? How would he explain to Mr. Fairchild the fact that he had kept the bond so long without mentioning it? Mr. Fairchild had often said that the moment his faith in an employee's honesty was disturbed, however small the offense, he dismissed him immediately, as a fairer arrangement for all concerned. Wouldn't giving back the bond be likely to disturb Mr. Fairchild's faith in Felix's absolute honesty? He mustn't run the risk of losing his position, now, of all times.