ey crowd--business men, politicians, professionals and men perhaps
of shady character, for a great hotel cannot discriminate, and hundreds
pass in and out who are not guests and have no connection with the
house.

"It is a wonderful place, Chester," said Mr. Perkins. "Everybody seems
at home here. I suppose everybody--everybody, at least, who is
presentable--in New York comes here sometime during the year."

Just then Chester uttered a little exclamation of surprise. As if to
emphasize Mr. Perkins' remark, two persons came in who were very well
known to the young artist. They were David Mullins and Dick Ralston.

Mullins heard the slight exclamation and turned his head in the
direction of the sofa on which Chester and his friend were sitting. So
did Ralston.

"Why, it's your old boy!" he said.

Mullins smiled a little maliciously. He had not heard that Chester had
a place.

"I suppose you are boarding here," he said, with a little sarcasm.

"No, Mr. Mullins, but I have just dined here--with my friend, Mr.
Perkins."

Mullins inclined his head slightly.

"Has he adopted you?" he asked, in a tone bordering on impertinence.

"No, sir," answered Mr. Perkins; "but if Chester ever wants me to, I
will. At present he is prosperous, and requires no help or adoption."

"Oh! Have you got a place?" asked Mullins, turning to Chester.

"Yes."

"In the same business?"

"No; I am in the office of a weekly paper."

"Oh!" said the bookkeeper, disdainfully. "They pay beggarly salaries at
such places."

"Then I am favored. I receive more than twice as much as I did in your
office."

Chester did not care to just state how much he received.

"That can't be possible!"

"It is a fact, however. Has Mr. Fairchild returned?"

"No. Why do you want to know?"

"I have no wish to go back, Mr. Mullins. Don't be apprehensive of that.
I don't wish to disturb Felix."

Dick Ralston listened with some interest to the conversation.

"It strikes me the kid has come to no harm from being discharged," he
said.

"I believe this is Mr. Perkins, of Minneapolis?"

"Yes, sir," answered the Westerner, eying the gambler with a
penetrating glance.

"I shall be glad to be your guide if you wish to see something of New
York. Will you join us this evening?"

"You are very polite, but I have an engagement with Chester."

"A mere boy! He knows nothing about the city."

"Still I am satisfied with him."

The two passed on and went into