n. He
was quite sure Mr. Hart could not get back in time to tell the banker
that he had obeyed his mandate. He was a little perplexed, and he was
afraid the mighty man would be angry with him for not keeping the
appointment, and perhaps visit the neglect upon his foster-father.
Being unable to solve the problem himself, he ventured to ask Mr. Hart
for a solution.

"It won't make any difference. Mr. Checkynshaw will not think of the
matter again till he sees you to-morrow," replied Mr. Hart. "He will
have enough to think of when he gets to the office to-morrow without
troubling his head about you."

"Perhaps, as you are his partner, Mr. Hart, you can do the business
just as well," said Leo.

"Very likely I can. What did Mr. Checkynshaw want of you?" asked the
partner.

"He is going to discharge Fitz, and--"

"Discharge Fitz! What is that for?" demanded Mr. Hart, as if very much
astonished at the intelligence.

"I don't exactly understand what for; but he wants me to come in his
place; or at least he wants to see me about coming."

"Well, you seem to be a very likely young fellow, and I have no doubt
you will suit us. I am willing to engage you, even after what little I
have seen of you."

"But I can't go yet, Mr. Hart," interposed Leo.

"Why not? When can you come?"

"I can't go till the first of August; that's what I wanted to tell Mr.
Checkynshaw. He was so kind as to think of me when he wanted a boy; and
I want to have it made all right with him. I expect to take one of the
Franklin medals at the next exhibition, and if I leave now I shall lose
it."

"That's right, my boy; stick to your school, and I will see that you
have a first-rate place when you have taken the medal. Haven't we got
most to your house?"

"Just round the corner, sir. I'm afraid Mr. Checkynshaw will not like
it because he did not see me this afternoon."

"He was out, and it isn't your fault; but I will tell him all about it
when I come back, and he will not think of it again."

"But he wants a boy."

"Well, he can find a hundred of them in an hour's time; and, as you
can't take the place, it will make no difference to you. I will make it
all right with him so far as you are concerned."

"This is my house," said Leo, when they reached the dwelling at No. 3
Phillimore Court.

Leo opened the front door,--which was indeed the only door,--and led
the banker to his own room on the second floor. The gentleman closed
the door, and a