y young
gentlemen with me," and the rug dealer smiled broadly.

"A bit surprised, yes," was the somewhat feeble answer. "But I--I
suppose it is all right."

"Let me introduce my young friends," went on Mr. Passmore, and did so.
"They have got something they would like to tell you."

"To tell me?" questioned the aged man, curiously. "Sit down, won't you,"
he added, politely, and motioned to chairs and to a couch.

"We came to see you about a man who called to see you last night, a Mr.
Job Haskers," said Dave, after a pause, during which the visitors seated
themselves. "Perhaps it is none of our business, Mr. Fordham, but my
chums and I here felt it our duty to tell you about that man."

"We don't want to do him any harm, if he is trying to earn an honest
living," put in Roger, "but we want you to be on your guard in any
dealings you may have with him."

"Why, what do you young men know of Mr. Haskers?" demanded the old
gentleman, in increasing wonder.

"We know a great deal about him, and very little to his credit," burst
out Phil. "If you have any dealings with him, be careful, or, my word
for it, you may get the worst of it!"

"Why this is--er--very extraordinary!" murmured Mr. Fordham. "I--I don't
know what to make of it," and he looked rather helplessly at Mr.
Passmore.

"Porter, you had better tell what you know about Haskers," said Bert's
father. "But cut it short, for that man may get here soon."

In a plain, straightforward manner our hero told of several things that
had happened at Oak Hall, which were not at all to Job Haskers' credit.
Then he told of the attempt to blow up the hotel, and how the unworthy
teacher had tried to throw the blame on the students, and how the truth
of the matter had at last come out, and how the dictatorial old teacher
had been dismissed by Doctor Clay.

"And do you mean to tell me that this is the man who is trying to sell
me this stock in the Sunset Milling Company?" asked Mr. Fordham, when
Dave had finished.

"This is the same man," answered Roger.

"Yes, and Dave didn't tell you the half of what can be chalked up
against him," added Phil. "I wouldn't trust him with a pint of peanuts."

"Hum! Strange, and I thought he came highly recommended!"

"If he showed you any recommendations I'll wager they were many years
old," said Dave.

"This is really none of my business, Mr. Fordham," broke in Mr.
Passmore. "But as this man is so well known to these young gentlemen