,
and he has proved himself to be so unworthy, I would go slow about
investing in stocks that he may offer."

"Yes! yes! Certainly!" cried the elderly gentleman. "But--er--why should
these young men take such an interest in me, a stranger?"

"We don't want to see Job Haskers get the best of any one!" answered
Phil, bluntly. "My opinion of it is, that he ought to be in jail."

"I see, I see! Well, if he did what you say he did, I don't blame you."

"I wouldn't sign for any stock until I had some outside advice about
it," cautioned Mr. Passmore.

"Why not wait until your son gets back?" he suggested.

"I'll do it. Mr. Haskers wanted the deal closed at once. But now I won't
sign for the stock. I'll wait. My son will be here day after to-morrow
at the latest, and he can look into the matter for me. And I am very
much obliged to you all for this warning. I think----"

At that moment came a knock on the door, which had been closed. A
bell-boy was there with a card, which he handed to Mr. Fordham.

"Bless me! He is certainly on time!" murmured the old gentleman. "It is
Mr. Haskers." He looked helplessly at the others. "I--I don't exactly
know what to do."

"We'll get out, if you say so," answered Roger, quickly.

"Oh, say, can't we stay and face him?" asked Phil, eagerly. "We'll give
him the surprise of his life!"

"Certainly, you can stay!" exclaimed Mr. Fordham, with sudden energy. "I
want you to stay. You should not be afraid to say to his face what you
have said behind his back."

Dave looked around the apartment. A bathroom was handy, the door
standing ajar.

"Supposing we step in there for a few minutes, while you and Mr.
Passmore meet Mr. Haskers," he cried. "We'll come out when you say so."

"A clever idea!" cried the rug dealer. "Maybe we'll be able to catch him
in a trap!"

"Mr. Passmore, I'll leave this matter to you," answered the elderly
gentleman. "You know those young men better than I do."

"So I do, and I'll vouch for Roger Morr and his friends," was the
answer. "Show the gentleman up," he added, to the bell-boy. "Don't tell
him who is here--we want to surprise him."

As the bell-boy left, the three chums crowded into the bathroom, leaving
the door on a crack. Soon there came another knock, and Job Haskers
presented himself, silk hat and cane in hand. He was well dressed and
evidently groomed for the occasion. He had expected to find Mr. Fordham
alone, and was somewhat annoyed on beholding