to her pocket, and drew out a wallet, more
suitable to a man's use. Openings this, she took out three bills, two
tens and a five, and extended them toward Carl.

"I don't think I ought to take this money, Miss Norris," said Carl,
reluctantly.

"Did that rascal rob you, too?"

"Yes."

"Of how much?"

"Ten dollars in money and some underclothing."

"Very well! This money will go toward making up your loss. You are not
rich, I take it?"

"Not yet."

"I am, and can afford to give you this money. There, take it."

"Thank you, Miss Norris."

"I want to ask one favor of you. If you ever come across that young man
in the light overcoat, have him arrested, and let me know."

"I will, Miss Norris."

"Do you live in Albany?"

Carl explained that he was traveling on business, and should leave the
next day if he could get through.

"How far are you going?"

"To Chicago."

"Can you attend to some business for me there?"

"Yes, if it won't take too long a time."

"Good! Come round to my house to supper at six o'clock, and I will tell
you about it. Henry, write my address on a piece of paper, and give it
to this young man."

Henry Norris smiled, and did as his aunt requested.

"You have considerable confidence in this young man?" he said.

"I have."

"You may be mistaken."

"Rachel Norris is not often mistaken."

"I will accept your invitation with pleasure, Miss Norris," said Carl,
bowing politely. "Now, as I have some business to attend to, I will bid
you both good-morning."

As Carl went out, Miss Norris said: "Henry, that is a remarkable boy."

"I think favorably of him myself. He is in the employ of an old
schoolmate of mine, Henry Jennings, of Milford. By the way, what
business are you going to put into his hands?"

"A young man who has a shoe store on State Street has asked me for a
loan of two thousand dollars to extend his business. His name is John
French, and his mother was an old schoolmate of mine, though some
years younger. Now I know nothing of him. If he is a sober, steady,
industrious young man, I may comply with his request. This boy will
investigate and report to me."

"And you will be guided by his report?"

"Probably."

"Aunt Rachel, you are certainly very eccentric."

"I may be, but I am not often deceived."

"Well, I hope you won't be this time. The boy seems to me a very good
boy, but you can't put an old head on young shoulders."

"Some boys have more sense than me