arance, the document was signed, and then as Mr. Payson
went out Dick found himself alone with the head of the firm.

"Now I can give you a few minutes' time, Richard. Please move your chair
a little closer, so that we need not talk so loud. It is rather a
peculiar combination that is responsible for your appearance here this
morning," he said, pleasantly; and somehow the boy lost all his former
fear for the usually austere banker.

CHAPTER X

THE MEETING IN THE BANK

"Am I right in assuming that you are looking for a position, Richard?"
was the first thing the banker said.

"Yes, sir. You probably know the trouble my mother is having with her
investment, for she has conducted all negotiations through your bank.
Until that company resumes the payment of dividends we shall have rather
a hard time to get on. And I have made up my mind to give up school, for
the present, at least, and get work of some kind," said the boy,
clearly.

"Good for you. Your object is surely commendable. I understand that you
have already been making a start in that line?" pursued Mr. Gibbs.

"Do you mean with Mr. Cartwright, sir?" asked Dick, wondering how the
other had managed to hear of this.

"Yes. He was in here doing some business yesterday, and spoke of you."

"That was mighty nice of him, sir. I would gladly have continued on with
him, but you see his son, who had been sick, got well enough to come
back, and that knocked me out of a job."

"Very inconsiderate of Toby, too. But Mr. Cartwright, who is one of our
directors, and a heavy stockholder in this bank, recommended you to me
as a trustworthy young fellow who could be depended on to do your best
always. That is the rule we follow here; no matter how menial the task,
do it as near perfect as lies in your power."

"It was Mr. Cartwright, then--I thought--" began Dick, and stopped
short.

"What did you think, Richard; tell me?" asked Mr. Gibbs, smiling.

"I thought that perhaps Charles might have said something. He promised
to recommend me if you ever needed an assistant to help him out, he was
so busy."

"Oh! yes, just so, you mean Charles Doty. Unfortunately he was not able
to save himself, much less use his powerful influence toward getting
another in here. In fact, my boy, it is to fill his place that I am now
engaging you," observed the gentleman, pointedly.

"Then Charlie has gone--I expected he would not last. He likes to sleep
too much in the morning. I