ccord?"

"I came of my own accord. I thought you were deceived in the boy."

"What do you think I ought to do?"

"I thought you would take back the recommendation and get the boy
discharged."

"Can you wait here half an hour while I consider what is best to be
done?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am." ("I guess I've put a spoke in his wheel," thought
John.)

In about half an hour the door opened, and to John's amazement Andy
walked in.

"You here!" he gasped.

"Yes; I hear you have been warning Mrs. Mason against me."

"I thought she ought to know that you were sent away from our store in
disgrace."

"I have something to say to you," said Andy, quietly. "I have been to
the pawnbroker's, and got a description of the boy who pawned the
watch!"

John turned pale.

"I see you understand," Andy went on, "who did it. So do I, and so does
Mrs. Mason. You won't make anything by your attempt to injure me.
Good-evening!"

John Crandall left the house without a word. He began to be alarmed.

"Suppose Andy tells Flint," he soliloquized. "No matter; he can't prove
it."

But he felt uneasy, nevertheless. He did not say anything to his uncle
about his visit.

CHAPTER XXIII.

MR. FLINT'S RETURN.

Mr. Crawford was something more than an ordinary real estate dealer. He
was thorough and painstaking in whatever he undertook.

In his private office he had a library of volumes relating to
architecture, practical building, real estate, law, etc. This Andy
discovered, and he asked his employer if he might borrow books
therefrom.

Mr. Crawford seemed pleased, but he asked:

"Do you think you will feel any interest in such dry volumes?"

"I shall not read for interest, but for improvement," answered Andy. "If
I am to follow up this business I want to find out all I can about it."

"You are an unusually sensible boy," said Mr. Crawford. "I am sure you
will succeed."

"I mean to, if it is possible."

From this time John Crawford felt an added interest in Andy, and took
pains to push him forward, and gave him practical information about real
estate.

"How do you like Andy, John?" asked Mrs. Mason, not long afterward.

"He is a treasure. He does credit to your recommendation."

"I am very much pleased to hear you say so. I consider him a remarkable
boy. Roy gets much higher marks at school since Andy began to help him
in his lessons."

One day Andy was sent up to the Grand Central Depot on an errand. He
arrived jus