ther side with signs.

Entering the hall-way, Ferris mounted the stairs to the third floor, and
then passed to a small office in the rear.

Hal was not far behind, and he had no difficulty in locating the
apartment Ferris entered.

The upper part of the office door contained a ground-glass panel, upon
which was painted in black letters:

ROBERT E. HAMILTON,
FINE LAW AND BLANK PRINTING.

For a second Hal studied how to get into the place, but soon an idea
struck him, and he lost no time in entering.

He saw Ferris in earnest conversation at a small counter, which ran
across the office, which was narrow but quite deep. Hal edged up and
listened to what passed between the tall youth and a man in charge.

Ferris had a number of slips in his hand, and these the proprietor was
examining with great care.

"You wish all of them duplicated?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Dick Ferris.

"It's a nice piece of work."

"I suppose it is, but the firm is willing to pay for it."

"Who are the blanks for?"

"Mr. Albert Schwartz. But I am to call for them."

"I do not know the gentleman."

"I will leave a deposit on the work," replied Ferris, promptly.

"Oh, all right! And how many of each of these blanks do you want?"

"Twenty of each."

"What! No more?"

"No. Next year we are going to have an entirely new set. If you do these
right, Mr. Schwartz says he may give you the new work."

"I'll do them in the best style. How soon do you want them?"

"As soon as possible. We are in a great hurry for them."

"In two days do?"

"Oh, yes!"

"Very well. They will cost thirty-six dollars."

"As much as that?"

"Yes. I will have to take my workmen from another job, and we always
charge a little more for a rush."

"How much of a deposit shall I leave?"

"Five dollars will do."

"Then here you are."

Dick Ferris pulled a five-dollar bill from his pocket, and, after
receiving his receipt, walked out of the office.

He glanced at Hal as he passed, but our hero's back was turned to him,
and Hal seemed to be interested in some prints which hung upon the wall.

"Now, sir, what can I do for you?" questioned the proprietor, turning to
Hal.

He left the slips Ferris had brought lying upon the counter.

"I would like to know how much you charge for printing wedding
invitations," replied Hal, approaching the counter where the slips lay.

"Wedding invitations, eh?" The proprietor smiled. "Here is a young man