ly.

"Ye-es."

"How did you know that I was coming to New York? That's what beats me."

Mullins began to appreciate the situation, and he was cudgeling his
brains for an explanation. Finally one came.

"I may be misinformed, but I learned from a friend of yours that you
were coming here with an intention of locating in our city. Now, as we
are in the real estate business, I thought we would offer our services
to find you a suitable house."

"Some friend of mine notified you of my coming to New York? Why, I
started off on a sudden without consulting anyone. I don't see how
anyone could give you the information."

"I won't undertake to explain it," said the bookkeeper. "I will only
say that I am glad to meet you."

"Thank you! You are very polite. What was the name of the friend who
spoke about me and my plans?"

"I have a poor memory for names, but I believe I have the gentleman's
card in my desk."

He opened the desk and made an elaborate search for what he knew he
should not find.

"It's no use," he said, after a pause. "It's disappeared."

"What was the appearance of the person?" persisted Mr. Perkins.

"He was--tall, and--yes, with a dark complexion and--and side
whiskers."

"About how old?"

"I should say about forty."

"I know plenty of people answering that description. But how did he
happen to call on you?"

"There you have me. He had some business with Mr. Fairchild, and
unfortunately Mr. F. started West this morning."

"I see. I can get no clew to the mystery. However, I am glad to have
made the acquaintance of this young man," indicating Chester.

"Oh, you mean our office boy," returned Mullins, coldly.

Just then Dick Ralston nudged the bookkeeper.

"Introduce me," he said, _sotto voce_.

The bookkeeper did not incline favorably to this request, but did not
dare to refuse. Dick Ralston's appearance was decidedly against him,
and his "loud" attire was in keeping with his face and manners.

"Mr. Perkins," said Mullins, "allow me to introduce my friend, Mr.
Ralston."

"Glad to meet you, Mr. Ralston," said the man from Minneapolis,
extending his hand, which Dick seized and pressed warmly.

"Proud to make your acquaintance, Mr. Perkins," rejoined the gambler.
"I always did like Western people."

"Thank you. I am not Western by birth, though I went out to Minnesota
when I was a mere boy."

"And I have no doubt you have prospered," said Ralston, who was really
anxious to learn whe