To be sure, he could rob Mr.Bartley.He had done it again and again by false accounts, and even by abstraction of coin, for he had false keys to his employer's safe, cash-box, drawers, and desk.

But in his opinion he had played this game often enough, and was afraid to venture it again so soon and on so large a scale.
He was so absorbed in these thoughts that he did not hear Mr.Bartley come to him; to be sure, he came softly, because of the other clerk, who was washing his hands and brushing his hair in the lobby.
So Bartley's hand, fell gently, but all in a moment, on Monckton's shoulder, and they say the shoulder is a sensitive part in conscious rogues.

Anyway, Monckton started violently, and turned from pale to white, and instinctively clapped both hands over his betting book.
"Monckton," said his employer, gravely, "I have made a very ugly discovery." Monckton began to shiver.
"Periodical errors in the balances, and the errors always against me." Monckton began to perspire.

Not knowing what to say, he faltered, and at last stammered out, "Are you sure, sir ?" "Quite sure.

I have long seen reason to suspect it, so last night I went through all the books, and now I am sure.