, but considerably
more luxurious than the one he occupied at the house of Mrs. Forbush.

"Have you any money, Philip?" asked the old gentleman.

"I have twenty-five cents," answered Philip.

"That isn't a very large sum," said Mr. Carter, smiling. "Here, let me
replenish your pocketbook."

He drew four five-dollar bills from his wallet and handed them to Phil.

"How can I thank you, sir?" asked Phil gratefully.

"Wait till you have more to thank me for. Let me tell you this, that in
trying to harm you, Mr. and Mrs. Pitkin have done you a great service."

"I should like to see Mrs. Forbush this evening, if you can spare me, to
let her know that she needn't be anxious about me."

"By all means. You can go."

"Am I at liberty to mention that I have seen you, sir?"

"Yes. Tell her that I will call to-morrow. And you may take her this."

Mr. Carter drew a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet and passed it to
Phil.

"Get it changed at the office as you go out," he said. "Come back as
soon as you can."

With a joyful heart Phil jumped on a Fourth Avenue car in front of the
hotel, and started on his way up town.

CHAPTER XXIV.

RAISING THE RENT.

Leaving Phil, we will precede him to the house of Mrs. Forbush.

She had managed to pay the rent due, but she was not out of trouble. The
time had come when it was necessary to decide whether she would retain
the house for the following year. In New York, as many of my young
readers may know, the first of May is moving-day, and leases generally
begin at that date. Engagements are made generally by or before March
1st.

Mr. Stone, the landlord, called upon the widow to ascertain whether she
proposed to remain in the house.

"I suppose I may as well do so," said Mrs. Forbush.

She had had difficulty in making her monthly payments, but to move
would involve expense, and it might be some time before she could secure
boarders in a new location.

"You can't do better," said the landlord. "At fifty dollars a month this
is a very cheap house."

"You mean forty-five? Mr. Stone?" said Mrs. Forbush.

"No, I don't," said the landlord.

"But that is what I have been paying this last year."

"That is true, but I ought to get fifty dollars, and if you won't pay it
somebody else will."

"Mr. Stone," said the widow, in a troubled voice, "I hope you will
be considerate. It has been as much as I could do to get together
forty-five dollars each month to pay you. Indee