set of books for him, and try
and install a system that will bring things around clearer."

"Why, Bart," exclaimed Darry, "they have promoted you!"

"I don't see it, Darry."

"That's traveling auditor's work. Besides, a delicate and confidential
mission for an official. Wake up! you've struck a higher rung on the
ladder, and I'll wager they'll boost you fast."

"Nonsense, Darry, I happen to be handy and accommodating, and they don't
want to turn the fellow down on account of his 'pull.' Maybe they think
the offer and suggestions of a boy will have a result where a regular
official visit would offend Mr. Peter Pope's backer--see?"

All the same, Bart felt very much pleased over this unexpected
communication. He blessed his lucky stars that he had such a bright and
dependable substitute at hand as Darry Haven.

The latter soon made his school and home arrangements, and Bart left
affairs in his hands about ten o'clock, catching the train west after
getting a pass for the Cardysville round trip.

It was two o'clock when the train arrived at Bart's destination. He
found Cardysville to be a place of about 2,000 inhabitants. Most of the
town, however, lay half-a-mile away from the B. & M. Railroad, another
line cutting in farther north.

Bart noticed crowds of people and a circus tent in the distance. The
express shed was a gloomy little den of a place on a spur track. Near
the depot was a small lunch counter. Bart got something to eat, and
strolled down the tracks.

As he drew near to the express shed, Bart noticed an old armchair out on
its platform.

A very stout man in his shirt sleeves sat in this, smoking a pipe.

He got up and waddled around restlessly. Bart noticed that he approached
the door of the express office on tiptoe. He acted scared, for, bending
his ear to listen, he retreated precipitately. Then he stood
stock-still, staring stupidly at the building.

He gave a nervous start as Bart came up behind him--quite a jump, in
fact. Bart, studying his flabby, uneasy face, wondered what was the
matter with the man.

"Hello!" jerked out the Cardysville express agent. "Sort of startled
me."

"Are you Mr. Pope?" inquired Bart.

"Yes, that's me," assented the other. "Stranger here? looking for me?"

"I am," answered Bart. "My name is Stirling. I work at the express
office at Pleasantville."

"Oh, yes, I've heard of you," said Peter Pope. "The express inspector
wrote me about you. He said you was a y