m in his vicinity.

"Yes, 'Enry is anxious to get on a noospaper," Mr. Charles replied. "And
Mr. Trevor Smith has written this letter about him for you to read."

The editor reached out and took the letter with a great show of
interest, reading it carefully, as though it were a document of much
importance, while Henry sat fumbling with his hat, conscious that he had
again arrived at a critical moment in his career.

"This is very nattering indeed, Mr. Charles," said the editor at length,
"and I attach great weight to the opinion of Mr. Trevor Smith, who is an
able and promising member of my staff."

"Then you think that 'Enry might suit you?"

"I have little doubt that he would prove a worthy addition to the ranks
of journalism, and if I had any urgent need of a new member on my
reportorial staff, I should willingly offer him an engagement. But, as I
think I explained to you in my letter, I have not at present any
pressing need for literary assistance."

Henry's face clouded as he listened, but brightened the next instant,
when Mr. Springthorpe continued:

"It would, however, be a pity not to hold out the hand of encouragement
to so bright a young man as your son, and I should be delighted to have
the privilege of initiating him into the mysteries of newspaper work if
you are prepared to pay a premium, and to let him serve the first six
months without salary."

"There need be no difficulty about that," said Mr. Charles, "and I am
prepared to pay you now a reasonable sum for any trouble you will take
with him. How much would you expect?"

"Well, it all depends. I have had pupils who have paid as much as a
hundred pounds." Edward John sighed, and Henry felt a tightening at the
throat. "Fifty is what I usually expect." The visitors breathed more
freely. "But I feel that in Henry we have a young man of peculiar
aptitude, who would soon make himself a useful colleague of my other
assistants; and that being so, I should be content with half the
amount."

"That's a bargain, then," said Mr. Charles, entirely relieved, as he
took out his cheque-book and filled up a cheque in favour of Mr. Martin
Springthorpe for twenty-five pounds. "Of course, I s'pose you give 'im a
salary after the first six months," he added, when he handed the cheque
to the editor.

"I shall be only too happy to adequately remunerate his services when
the period of probation is terminated," Mr. Springthorpe assured him,
placing the precious pap