don't look like a cowboy now," thought Roy, as he
surveyed himself in the glass, after the change. "Now to call on Mr.
Annister. I don't believe he'll suspect me of being on his trail."

A little later Roy was on his way down-town, having inquired from the
clerk how to get to the office of the real estate agent. He was soon
at the place, a big office building, in which several firms had their
quarters.

He got in the express elevator, which went up at a speed that took away
his breath, and was let out at the twentieth floor, where the real
estate agent had his rooms.

"Is Mr. Annister in?" Roy asked the office boy.

"I don't know. What's your business?"

"My business is with Mr. Annister."

"What's your name?"

"That doesn't matter. Tell Mr. Annister I called to see him regarding
the renting of some property on Bleecker street," for that was where
the building was located in which Roy and his father were interested.

"All right. I'll tell him, but I don't believe he'll see you," replied
the office boy, not very good-naturedly, as he went into an inner room.
In a little while he returned and said:

"Walk in. He'll see you a few minutes, but he's very busy."

A few seconds later Roy stood in the presence of Caleb Annister.

CHAPTER XIV

ROY'S TRICK

"What can I do for you, sir?" asked the real estate agent as Roy
entered. "Take a chair."

Caleb Annister had been a little curious to see the young man whom his
office boy described. He could not imagine what was wanted, but he
scented a possible customer to engage some of the offices in the
structure, for which he collected the rents.

"I want to make some inquiries regarding an office in your Bleeker
street building," said Roy, for such was the designation of the
property in question.

"Ah, yes. You are going to open an office, perhaps?"

"I may." This was the truth as Roy's father had said, if the agent was
found to be dishonest, a new one, with an office in the Bleecker street
building might be engaged.

"Aren't you rather young to go in business?"

"Perhaps, but I am representing other persons. Have you any offices to
rent in that building?"

"A few."

"What do they rent for?"

It was Roy's idea to make inquiries in the guise of a possible tenant,
and, see what prices Mr. Annister was charging. What his next move was
you shall very soon see.

"Well, young man, rents are very high in that building. It is in a
good neigh