with a hand on it pointing to a narrow side court, confronted
them, and mechanically they turned that way. Reginald did for a moment
hesitate as he passed the editor's door, but it was no use. The two
boys turned slowly into the court, where, amid the din of machinery, and
a stifling smell of ink and rollers, they found the narrow passage which
conducted them to their destination.

A man at a desk half way down the passage intercepted their progress.

"Now, then, young fellows, what is it?"

"We want to see the manager, please," said Horace.

"No use to-day, my lad. No boys wanted; we're full up."

"We want to see the manager," said Reginald, offended at the man's tone,
and not disposed to humour it.

"Tell you we want no boys; can't you see the notice up outside?"

"Look here!" said Reginald, firing up, and heedless of his brother's
deprecating look; "we don't want any of your cheek. Tell the manager
we're here, will you, and look sharp?"

The timekeeper stared at the boy in amazement for a moment, and then
broke out with,--

"Take your hook, do you hear, you--or I'll warm you."

"It's a mistake," put in Horace, hurriedly. "Mr Richmond said we were
to come here to see the manager at nine o'clock."

"And couldn't you have said so at first?" growled the man, with his hand
still on his ruler, and glaring at Reginald, "without giving yourselves
airs as if you were gentry? Go on in, and don't stand gaping there."

"For goodness' sake, Reg," whispered Horace, as they knocked at the
manager's door, "don't flare up like that, you'll spoil all our chance."

Reg said nothing, but he breathed hard, and his face was angry still.

"Come in!" cried a sharp voice, in answer to their knock.

They obeyed, and found a man standing with a pen in his mouth at a desk,
searching through a file of papers. He went on with his work till he
found what he wanted, apparently quite unconscious of the boys'
presence. Then he rang a bell for an overseer, whistled down a tube for
a clerk, and shouted out of the door for a messenger, and gave orders to
each. Then he sent for some one else, and gave him a scolding that made
the unlucky recipient's hair stand on end; then he received a visit from
a friend, with whom he chatted and joked for a pleasant quarter of an
hour; then he took up the morning paper and skimmed through it,
whistling to himself as he did so; then he rang another bell and told
the errand-boy who answered it t