ng time. If any
pressure is brought to bear upon him, he may have to suspend."

Carl felt that he was obtaining important information. If Mr. French
were in such a condition Miss Norris would be pretty sure to lose her
money if she advanced it.

"To what do you attribute Mr. French's embarrassment?" he asked.

"He lives expensively in a handsome house near Lincoln Park, and draws
heavily upon the business for his living expenses. I think that explains
it. I only wonder that he has been able to hold out so long."

"Perhaps if he were assisted he would be able to keep his head above
water."

"He would need a good deal of assistance. You see that my place isn't
very secure, and I shall soon need to be looking up another."

"I don't think I shall need to inquire any farther," thought Carl. "It
seems to me Miss Norris had better keep her money."

Before he retired he indited the following letter to his Albany
employer:

Miss Rachel Norris.

"Dear Madam:--I have attended to your commission, and have to report
that Mr. French appears to be involved in business embarrassments, and
in great danger to bankruptcy. The loan he asks of you would no doubt be
of service, but probably would not long delay the crash. If you wish to
assist him, it would be better to allow him to fail, and then advance
him the money to put him on his feet. I am told that his troubles come
from living beyond his means.

"Yours respectfully,

"Carl Crawford."

By return mail Carl received the following note:

"My Dear Young Friend:--Your report confirms the confidence I reposed in
you. It is just the information I desired. I shall take your advice and
refuse the loan. What other action I may take hereafter I cannot tell.
When you return, should you stop in Albany, please call on me. If unable
to do this, write me from Milford.

"Your friend,

"Rachel Norris."

Carl was detained for several days in Chicago. He chanced to meet his
English friend, Lord Bedford, upon his arrival, and the nobleman, on
learning where he was staying, also registered at the Sherman House. In
his company Carl took a drive over the magnificent boulevard which is
the pride of Chicago, and rose several degrees in the opinion of those
guests who noticed his intimacy with the English guest.

Carl had just completed his Chicago business when, on entering the
hotel, he was surprised to see a neighbor of his father's--Cyrus
Robinson--a prominent business man o