a fool."

"Why?"

"To send an ignorant country boy to Chicago."

Andy smiled.

"Mr. Crawford has succeeded very well in business, and I don't think he
is a fool."

"He must be infatuated with you."

"If he is, that is lucky for me."

"How long do you expect to be away?"

"I can't say; I can't tell how long it will take me to transact my
business."

"I wish pa would let me go to Chicago," said Conrad, enviously. "You are
a poor boy, and yet you travel more than I."

"Your time will come, Conrad."

"Has your employer given you much money to travel with?"

"I am to draw on him for what I want."

"Say, won't you write me a letter from Chicago? I wish I had known you
were going; I would have asked pa to let me go with you."

Andy was amused at Conrad's change of front. He knew very well that
Conrad was no more his friend than before, but that his notions were
strictly selfish. However, he promised to write to him if he could get
time, and made the promise in good faith.

"I wish Valentine were going with me," he thought; "but I should not
enjoy Conrad's company."

Andy's journey to Chicago was uneventful. About two hours before the
train arrived a tall man left his seat on the opposite side of the car
and seated himself beside Andy.

"Good-morning," he began. "I suppose, like me, you propose to stop in
Chicago?"

"For about twenty-four hours," answered Andy.

"And then you go on further?"

"Yes, sir."

"How far?"

"I cannot tell you definitely," answered Andy, who thought it wise to be
on his guard.

"Could you oblige me with small bills for a ten? I am owing a dollar to
the porter."

Andy took out a large-sized wallet from an inner pocket and opened it.
It contained about fifty dollars in bills of different denominations.

"I am afraid I cannot accommodate you," he said, "unless two five-dollar
bills will answer your purpose."

"I am afraid it won't help me."

"I am sorry," said Andy, politely.

He did not observe the covetous glance of the stranger as he noted the
large wallet and its contents. It occurred to him afterward that his
companion had not produced the bill he wished changed.

"Oh, well," said the stranger, carelessly, "it doesn't matter. I can get
the bill changed at the depot. Are you traveling on business?" he
inquired.

"Yes, sir."

"So am I. I represent the firm of Arnold & Constable, in New York.
Doubtless you have heard of them."

"Oh, yes. They are well known