won't come snoopin'
'round."

"See here, Dan, you mustn't fight if you ever want to get that Third
Avenoo store, for I tell you no feller gets ahead by bein' a tough. What
did the lawyer say?"

"I didn't hear him yip; but reckon you'll know all about it after goin'
over to Ninety-four's house."

"That's where I'm bound for now. Wait outside for me, an' I'll come to
you as soon as I can."

"I don't suppose I could sneak in?"

"I'd rather you didn't, Dan, 'cause it would look as if I was gettin'
mighty fresh to bring my chums along."

"All right, old man; I'll wait outside."

There was so much in Seth's mind that he could not indulge in
conversation at that moment, and he walked so rapidly that Dan had but
little opportunity for speaking, however much he might have desired to
say.

At the engine-house he found nearly all the company on the lower floor
much as if waiting for his report, and 'Lish Davis greeted him by
asking:

"Well, Amateur, nothing but window-washing to-day?"

"No, sir-ee! Mr. Fernald has begun to give me lessons in the gymnasium,
an' I'm to practise there two hours every day from this out--that is, so
long as I do it an' keep my reg'lar work up in shape, which, 'cordin' to
my way of thinkin', will be every minute I have the chance of stayin'
there."

"Did Josh really put you into physical training as quick as this?" Mr.
Davis asked, almost incredulously.

"That's what he did, an' though I didn't get many points 'bout fires,
it'll help me to grow in great shape."

Then Dan, waiting near the door on the outside, heard Ninety-four's crew
cheering loudly, and he was sadly at a loss to understand the meaning of
such merriment when he believed they were discussing poor Jip's sad
situation.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE LETTER.

There could be no question but that Ninety-four's company were highly
delighted with the news brought by Seth regarding his progress.

It was as if each man felt personally complimented by Mr. Fernald when
he advanced the amateur so rapidly, and all united in declaring that
"Josh was a right good fellow."

Seth was in the highest degree excited. He had expected that his friends
of Ninety-four would be pleased at learning of his good fortune, but
never fancied they could be so deeply interested, and now he began to
understand what a gloom might be cast over the company if he should fail
in this attempt to gain a foothold in the Department.

'Lish Davis would not