The thought that the knowledge of the missing money had leaked out and was being industriously spread abroad by Bearse and his like was very disquieting.

He watched Phillips more closely than before.

He watched Ruth, and, before another day had passed, he had devised a wonderful plan, a plan to be carried out in case of alarming eventualities.
On the afternoon of the third day he sat before his workbench, his knee clasped between his hands, his foot swinging, and his thoughts busy with the situation in all its alarming phases.

It had been bad enough before this new development, bad enough when the always present danger of Phillips' secret being discovered had become complicated by his falling in love with his employer's daughter.
But now-- Suppose the boy had stolen the money?
Suppose he was being blackmailed by some one whom he must pay or face exposure?
Jed had read of such things; they happened often enough in novels.
He did not hear the door of the outer shop open.

A month or more ago he had removed the bell from the door.