ll the beard from one side of his face gone,
and fully one-half of his hair lay on the floor. And still they went for
him. Suddenly the shrill scream of a woman startled them, and the two
boys desisted to turn and look at the newcomer.

It happened to be Bryant's wife who uttered the scream when she saw what
was taking place. Of course the row ended then and there. Bryant got up,
explained to his wife what it all was about and apologized right then
for his action. Of course Bob accepted it, and the matter was settled,
as the boys thought. But the next day Bob met Fred and told him he had
been discharged by Manson, saying that of course Bryant was responsible
for it.

A couple of days later Fred was the recipient of a handsome gold watch
and chain, a present from Mr. Gaines.

One day Callie came to Fred and told him of a tip she had got hold of.
It was M. & C. Fred went to see Broker Bowles, and asked him to buy
3,000 shares of M. & C. for him. The broker bid in the amount of shares
Fred wanted. The price soon went up to 90, and then Bowles sold him out.
The next day Fred and Bob visited Bowles, who gave them a statement
showing they had made $170,000 profit.

"Mr. Bowles," said Fred, "Risley & Cohn have failed. If their office is
to rent please rent it for five years for Halsey & Co., and buy all the
furniture. Pay a year's rent in advance."

CHAPTER VII.--Halsey & Company Open a Bank.

"Bob, I'm going to resign," said Fred, when they came out from Bowles'
office.

"Resign what?"

"My place at Tracey's."

"Well, I think you can afford to."

"Yes. We can go in on our own hook now," and he went over to the office
and told the gruff old broker he wanted to quit.

"What's the matter?" Tracey asked.

"Going to open a bank."

"What with, a jimmy?"

"No, a key."

"Going to play craps, I guess. Do you know a boy I can get?'

"Yes, sir."

"Bring him here then and I'll let you off."

In half an hour Fred had a youth on hand who lad been looking for a
place for mouths. He then went downstairs and joined Bob. They agreed to
keep the deal a secret as long as possible. Bob was to wait for Gertie
Clayton, Bowles' typewriter, and warn her to say nothing about it to any
one, while Fred was to wait for Callie as she came out of Barron's bank.
When business closed for the day, Fred saw Callie come up and go up
toward Broadway. He soon joined her.

"Have you heard the news from the deal in M. & C.?" he asked her