ould be infinitely preferable."

On State Street Warner Powell fell in with Stephen Webb, an old
acquaintance.

"Is it you, Warner?" asked Webb, in surprise. "It's an age since I saw
you."

"So it is. I haven't been in Chicago for five years."

"I remember. A little trouble, wasn't there?"

"Yes; but I'm all right now, except that I haven't any money to speak
of."

"That's my situation exactly."

"However, I've got an old aunt worth a million, more or less, only she
doesn't fully appreciate her nephew."

"And I have an uncle, pretty well to do, who isn't so deeply impressed
with my merits as I wish he were."

"I am staying with my aunt just at present, but hope to have
independent quarters soon. One trouble is, she takes a fancy to a boy
named Luke Walton."

"Luke Walton!" repeated Stephen in amazement.

"Do you know him?"

"Yes, my uncle has set me to spy on him--why, I haven't been able to
find out. So he is in favor with your aunt?"

"Yes, he calls at the house every day, and is in her employ. Sometimes
she goes out shopping with him."

"That's strange. Let us drop into the Saratoga and compare notes."

They turned into Dearborn Street, and sat down to lunch in the
Saratoga.

CHAPTER XXVII

UNCLE AND NEPHEW

"So this boy is an object of interest to your uncle?" resumed Warner
Powell.

"Yes."

"Does he give any reason for his interest?"

"No, except that he is inclined to help him when there is an
opportunity."

"Does the boy know him?"

"No."

"Has he met your uncle?"

"Yes; Uncle Thomas frequently visits Chicago--he lives in
Milwaukee--and stays at the Sherman when he is here. He has stopped
and bought a paper of Luke once or twice."

"I remember my sister told me this boy Luke was a newsboy."

"How did he get in with your aunt?"

"I don't know. I presume it was a chance acquaintance. However that
may be, the young rascal seems to have got on her blind side, and to
be installed first favorite."

"Your sister doesn't like it?"

"Not much. Between you and me, Louisa--Mrs. Tracy--means to inherit
all the old lady's property, and doesn't like to have anyone come in,
even for a trifle. She'll have me left out in the cold if she can, but
I mean to have something to say to that. In such matters you can't
trust even your own sister."

"I agree with you, Warner."

The two young men ate a hearty dinner, and then adjourned to a
billiard room, where they spent the afternoon