as he did so.

The cover was loose, and the force of the blow caused it to fly upward.
Another blow and it fell away entirely, and in a second more the young
oarsman was clambering out of the opening.

It was drawing towards evening, and the street was full of people, some of
which eyed the boy curiously. Restoring the cover to its place, he left
the spot.

The question now was, should he return to Slocum's office or seek outside
assistance? He decided upon the latter course. To attempt to bring the
rascally real estate agent to terms alone would be foolhardy.

Jerry's head ached so much he could think only with difficulty, and he
decided to return to Nellie Ardell's apartments. It was a hard walk, and
he was glad when the place was reached and he could sit down.

"What's the matter--are you hurt?" cried the young woman.

"I was knocked out," replied the youth, with a sorry little laugh. "I've
got a pretty big lump on the top of my head."

Sitting down, he told his story, to which Nellie Ardell listened with
breathless attention.

"The wicked man! He should be locked up!" she burst out, when Jerry had
finished. "It's a wonder he didn't kill you."

"That's true. As it was, the blow was awfully hard."

"What will you do now?"

"I really don't know."

"Won't that Mr. Islen whom you work for, help you?"

"Perhaps he will," returned the youth, struck with the idea. "The trouble
is his brother is dead, and that has upset him."

"One thing is certain, Jerry, the property is valuable."

"Yes, and another thing is certain," added our hero. "We want our shares
of it."

"It would be a great help to me to get some money out of it," said Nellie
Ardell, with a sigh. "This sewing constantly day in and day out is wearing
on me."

The two talked for over an hour, and then Jerry felt compelled to lie
down. It was nearly morning before his head stopped aching and he got some
rest.

CHAPTER XXXV.

A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE

On the next day the bindery was opened as usual, but Mr. Islen did not
appear, having gone to Philadelphia. Jerry worked throughout the day,
wondering what Alexander Slocum had thought and done after he had
discovered the escape. Little did the young oarsman dream of what the real
estate dealer was then doing.

Our hero was proving himself to be skillful at the work assigned to him
and the foreman often praised him.

"You'll be worth a raise in wages," he said. "I never saw a boy take