"Is he there now?"

"Yes; Felix was taken on when I was discharged."

"At once?"

"Yes. He was in the office, probably waiting for the vacancy."

"The plan seems to have been cut and dried. What sort of a boy is
Felix?"

"I don't know him very well. He seems on confidential terms with Mr.
Mullins."

"Did the bookkeeper have any other reasons for disliking you?"

"Yes; I interfered to prevent his cheating a mechanic out of his
month's rent."

"State the circumstances."

Chester did so.

"How long has Mr. Mullins been in Mr. Fairchild's employ?"

"About five years, I think I have heard."

"That speaks well for him. Probably his acquaintance with Ralston is
recent, or he would have done something before this to insure his
discharge."

There was a short silence, and Chester asked: "Have you any more
questions, Mr. Sharpleigh?"

"Not at present. Will you give me your address?"

Chester did so.

"I will send for you if I need you. I think you can help me materially.
You seem to have a clear head, and are observing."

It was the evening for Chester to call at Prof. Hazlitt's.

"I passed your office this morning, Chester," said Arthur Burks, "and
thought of calling in, but I was in haste."

"You wouldn't have found me, Arthur. I am discharged."

"What!" exclaimed Arthur, in surprise. "What complaint does Mr.
Fairchild make of you?"

"None at all. He is out of the city. The bookkeeper, who dislikes me,
discharged me, and gave the place to his cousin."

"I am awfully sorry. What will you do?"

"I have some money saved up. Besides, I shall devote more time to
drawing. I made a sketch yesterday which Mr. Conrad thinks I will get
ten dollars for."

"That is fine. I never earned ten dollars in my life."

"You have never felt obliged to work, except in school."

"I take care not to injure my health in studying," said Arthur, with a
laugh.

"I will speak to uncle Edgar, and he will arrange to have you come four
times a week instead of two. Then you will earn more money from him."

"Thank you, Arthur. I should like that."

Prof. Hazlitt, on being spoken to, ratified this arrangement, so that
Chester's mind was easy. He knew now that he would be able to support
himself and more, too.

Chester soon had something more to encourage him. He received at his
lodgings the following letter:

"MR. CHESTER RAND.

"DEAR SIR: We are about to establish a new comic weekly, which we
shall call