CHAPTER II.
FOX AND WOLF.
Mr.James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.
That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

Everything was carefully locked.

Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

It was his daily practice thus to try the locks, in hope that some day the safe, or the drawers, or the desk would be left open by accident, when he might be able to solve a certain problem, the doubt and difficulty of which sore let and hindered him--namely, of what extent, and where placed, were those great treasures, savings, and investments which enabled his master to be careless over his business.

It was, further, customary with him to be thus frustrated and disappointed.