se was as soon as possible; but Dickey insisted that Ben
and Johnny go alone, since Mr. Weston had not said anything about
their bringing any friends with them.

It did seem to these two boys, after their companions had gone to
work, that the hands of the clock would never point to nine. They had
walked slowly from their boarding-house to the hotel, hoping to pass
away the time by looking in the shop-windows; and yet, walking as
slowly as they did, they were on the sidewalk opposite the house as
early as eight o'clock.

Since they could not content themselves anywhere else, they remained
there until it should be time for them to call, still speculating as
to what their good-fortune was to be, and wishing the minutes would
pass more quickly. The clock was just striking the hour of nine when
they entered the office of the hotel, and found Mr. Weston and Paul
evidently awaiting their arrival.

Whatever the surprise was that Mr. Weston had in store for them, it
was not in the hotel that they were to receive it; for as soon as they
entered Paul and his father started towards them, leading the way out
into the street at once. It was quite evident that Paul did not intend
to allow himself to run any risk of betraying the secret, for he
walked on ahead with his father, glancing over his shoulder every few
moments at the puzzled-looking boys behind.

Down Twenty-third Street to Sixth Avenue Mr. Weston led the way, and
after they had gone down the avenue some distance he entered a
neat-looking little periodical and stationary store, nodding
familiarly to the proprietor, as if he had been a regular visitor
there. Now more then ever were the two boys perplexed, and they had
just come to the conclusion that Paul's father was going to buy them
something as a present when the proprietor said,

"All the money which has been taken this morning is in the drawer, and
unless there is something more you want to say to me I will go, as I
made an engagement down town for ten o'clock."

"I don't think there is anything more to be said," replied Mr.
Weston; "of course you will come in whenever you are passing this way
to see how matters are going?"

"Oh yes," and the man started towards the door; "I'll see that
everything goes on smoothly, although I have no doubt but that the new
proprietors will get along all right. The goods are all marked at the
selling price, and there can hardly be any mistake made."

Then the man went out, and