ce broker,
with his office address and also his home address, up-town.

Making a mental note of both, Ralph hurried out. A policeman directed him
to the tall office building in which his friend had rooms, and he was soon
on his way thither.

Arriving at the building, the boy took his first ride in an elevator. It
must be confessed that the lift moved so fast and the sensation was so
unusual that it made him somewhat sick. When he got out at the right floor
he felt as if he was walking on air for a few seconds.

He found Horace Kelsey's office handsomely fitted up. There were several
young gentlemen clerks and two young lady typewriters. Evidently business
was in a prosperous condition.

Ralph was disappointed to find that the gentleman himself was not visible.

"I came to see Mr. Kelsey," he said, to the clerk who greeted him.

"Mr. Kelsey is out, sir. What can we do for you?"

"I will wait until Mr. Kelsey comes in, please. My business is with him
personally."

"I'm afraid you'll have to wait a long time," smiled the clerk. "Mr. Kelsey
is out of the city."

Ralph's heart sank at this announcement. He had felt sure that assistance
was close at hand.

"When do you expect him to return?"

"I can hardly say, perhaps to-day, perhaps to-morrow or the day after. It
depends on when he finishes up the business on hand."

Ralph heaved a sigh. The clerk saw that he was greatly disappointed.

"Can't you come in to-morrow and see if he has returned?" he asked.

"I guess so," faltered the boy. "But I expected sure to meet him to-day,"
he went on.

"Very sorry."

"I will come in again before you close, if you don't mind."

"Not at all; come whenever you please. We are open until five o'clock
here."

Ralph left his name and then quitted the offices. He did not bother taking
the elevator down, but used the winding stairs instead.

He had reached the second floor, and was about to start down for the street
when he caught sight of a man standing on the stone steps below. The man
was Jackson Walters.

"The rascal!" muttered Ralph, to himself. "How fortunate to catch sight of
him!"

He sprang down the steps two at a time. Walters heard him coming, and
looked around. But before he could attempt to move away, Ralph had him
tightly by the arm.

"So I've caught you, have I?" he said, bluntly. "Why--er--really--you have
the advantage of me," stammered Jackson Walters, coldly.

"I guess I have, and it's a good thing