ked to the depot with Nat and saw him on the cars. Soon
our hero was off. The trip back to the metropolis was made without
anything out of the ordinary happening.

"So you are back," said John Garwell, when our hero presented himself at
the office. "I hope you enjoyed the trip."

"I did, very much, Mr. Garwell."

"How did your uncle treat you?"

"Finely, sir."

"Did you find any papers of value?" went on the real estate broker.

"I found half a dozen which I wish you would look over." And Nat brought
forth the documents.

"I am anxious to close that real estate deal," went on John Garwell.
"Others are getting wind of it, including that fellow Shanley from
Brooklyn. He is doing his best to make me lose on the deal."

"Is Rufus Cameron in with him?"

"I believe he is. Both of them are very bitter."

"I suppose they are bitter against me too," observed Nat soberly.

"It is more than likely. But that can't be helped, Nat. In business a
man is bound to make more or less of enemies."

John Garwell was very busy, and said he would look over the documents
the next day. But on the following morning he was called out of town,
so the documents were not examined until some days later.

As soon as he returned to the office, Nat went to work with vigor for
over a week, to make up for the lost time. He had a great deal of
writing on hand, and one evening he remained at the place until after
nine o'clock.

As Nat had been indoors nearly all day, he resolved to walk home, just
for the physical exercise and to get the fresh air. He started up
Broadway, and was soon as far as Tenth Street. Here he attempted to
cross the thoroughfare, but was stopped by a jam of cars and other
vehicles.

"Let me alone!" he heard a boy not far off say. "Let me alone! I won't
give you my money!"

"You've got to pay for the papers, country!" cried another boy. "Come,
fork over the fifteen cents."

"It's all I've got."

"I don't care. Fork over, or I'll--I'll mash you!"

The voice of one of the boys sounded familiar, and stepping to a dark
doorway, from whence the voices proceeded, Nat was amazed to find Fred
Guff, and a New York newsboy who was a stranger.

"Fred!"

"Why, if it ain't Nat!" cried the farm boy. "Where did you spring from?"

"I think I had better ask you that question."

"I want me money!" came from the newsboy.

"Help me, Nat. He wants to get my money from me. It's the last fifteen
cents I've got!" pleaded Fred.