the way out through
the banking-room.

The clerks had returned to their desks, and were again busy over their
books and papers; for the excitement had subsided, and people went
their way as though nothing had happened. The unwonted scene of a man
in Mr. Checkynshaw's position putting a clerk out of his office excited
a little comment, and the banker had stopped in the long hall to
explain to a bank president the occasion of his prompt and decisive
action. Leo and the jaunty man passed him as they left the building;
but the boy did not know him from Adam.

"Where do you live, my boy?" asked the jaunty man, coming up to him
when he had crossed State and entered Congress Street.

"No. 3 Phillimore Court," replied Leo.

He had before lost sight of the man, who, he had already concluded,
from finding him in the private office and at the safe, was one of the
partners in the house of Checkynshaw, Hart, & Co. He could not imagine
what a person of so much importance could want of him, or how it
concerned him to know where he lived.

"Is it far from here?"

"Not very far."

"I want the use of a room for five minutes, to change my clothes. I
live out of town, and am going to New York to-night. Perhaps your
mother would let me have a room for a short time," added the person.

"I haven't any mother; but you can have my room as long as you like,"
answered Leo, glad to accommodate so important a person. "It isn't a
very nice one."

"Nice enough for me. How far is it?"

"Close by High Street; but it's right on your way to the cars."

"Very well; thank you. I'm much obliged to you. If it's far off, I can
run up to a hotel, for I'm in a hurry. I have no time to spare."

The jaunty man walked at a rapid pace, and seemed to be greatly
excited, which Leo attributed to his proposed journey, or to the
pressure of his business.

"Do you know Mr. Checkynshaw?" asked the man of business.

"No, sir; I never saw him in my life, that I know of," replied Leo.
"You are one of the partners--are you not?"

"Yes," replied the jaunty man, promptly.

"Are you Mr. Hart, sir?"

"That is my name. How did you know me?"

"I didn't know you; but I guessed it was Mr. Hart."

They hurried along in silence for a few moments more. Leo was thinking,
just then, how it would be possible for Mr. Hart to tell Mr.
Checkynshaw that he had called that day, and that he would call at one
the next day, if he was going to New York by the afternoon trai