atened. He felt that his absent employer ought to be
notified at once.

Accordingly he went to the Fifth Avenue Hotel and telegraphed to
Chicago:

"I am discharged. Felix Gordon is in my place. Will write."

A few hours later Chester received the following message at his
lodgings.

"Your telegram received. Will write you instructions. FAIRCHILD."

Two days later Chester received a letter requesting him to call at once
on a well-known detective, give him all the available information and
request him to keep careful watch of Mr. Mullins and his operations,
and interfere if any steps were taken prejudicial to Mr. Fairchild's
interests.

Chester called on the detective and was fortunate enough to find him
in. He expected to see a large man of impressive manners and imposing
presence, and was rather disappointed when he found a small personage
under the average height, exceedingly plain and unpretentious, who
might easily have been taken for an humble clerk on a salary of ten or
twelve dollars a week.

Mr. Sharpleigh listened attentively to Chester's communication, and
then proceeded to ask questions.

"Do you know anything of Mr. Mullins outside of the office?" he asked.

"A little, sir."

"Has he any bad habits? Is he extravagant? Does he drink?"

"I have never seen any evidence that he drank," answered Chester.
"Perhaps he may drink a glass of wine or beer occasionally."

"I don't mean that. He is not what may be called an intemperate man?"

"No, sir."

"Any other objectionable habits?"

"I think he gambles."

"Ha! this is important. What makes you think so?"

"He seems to be intimate with a man who, I am told, is a well-known
gambler."

"Who is it?"

"Dick Ralston."

"Ralston is as well known as any gambler in the city. How is it that
this has not excited the suspicions of Mr. Fairchild?"

"I don't think Mr. Fairchild knows it."

"Then Ralston doesn't come into the office?"

"He did not when Mr. Fairchild was in town. As soon as Mr. Fairchild
left he came at once, and now spends considerable time there."

"Probably Mullins owes him money lost in gambling."

"I think he does. I overheard him one day urging Mr. Mullins to give
him money."

"That makes it probable. Do you know if they keep company outside?"

"I have seen them walking late in the evening."

"Why do you think Mr. Mullins discharged you?"

"He wanted the place for a cousin of his."

"What name?"

"Felix Gordon."