to us, and both of us will make by it."

Hal listened to every word of this conversation with deep interest. From
it he discovered that Macklin was a tool of Hardwick as well as Ferris
and both were in the habit of doing underhand work for the
ex-book-keeper.

"If either of them would only mention something definite," he thought.
"The tin box robbery for instance. Then I would be certain I was on the
right track."

"That's an idea, Ferris," replied Macklin. "It ain't fair fer Hardwick
ter be rollin' in money an' me livin' here."

"That's it."

"I uster be jest as fine a liver as him, Ferris, in the flush days. An'
when old Sumner took Hardwick in an' bounced me----"

Macklin did not finish. There was a racket in the hall-way, and then
came the tones of an excited Irishwoman.

"Phot's this? Phot be yez doin' here, young mon, sn'akin' along like a
thafe? Tommy Macklin, cum here!"

CHAPTER XVII.

NEAR TO DEATH.

The Irishwoman had come up behind Hal so softly--she wore rubbers--that
the youth did not hear her, and he was, therefore, thoroughly startled
when she made the exclamation quoted at the end of the preceding
chapter.

Ferris and Macklin jumped to their feet and both rushed out in the hall.

"What's the row, Mary?" cried the latter.

"Sure an' that's phot Oi want to know," replied the woman. "Oi found
this fellow pakin' in the kay-hole of your dure, so Oi did."

"It's Hal Carson!" exclaimed Ferris. "So this is the way you followed
me, eh?" he continued.

"Who is Hal Carson?" asked Macklin, grasping the youth by the arm.

"Old Sumner's new clerk and office boy," replied Ferris. "Don't let him
get away."

Macklin gave a whistle.

"Dat's kinder serious, if he follered yer here. Wot have yer got ter say
fer yerself?" he demanded, turning to Hal.

"Let go of my arm," returned Hal. "Are you the only one who lives in
this building?"

"No."

"Then I presume I have a right to enter the hall-way, haven't I?"

"That won't wash, Carson!" exclaimed Ferris. "You are doing nothing but
following me, and you know it."

"Just you step inside, do you hear?" commanded Macklin. "That's all
right, Mary, I'll take care o' him," he added to the woman.

"Oi wondher if he was up in me apartment," she said, suspiciously.
"Oi'll go up an' see if there is anything missing."

The woman departed, and Macklin tried to shove Hal into the room.

"Stop that!" ordered the youth.

"Don't pay no attention to