opening the door, entered. Bert
followed him in.

"Whom did you wish to see?" asked the brisk-looking man.

"Mr. Jacob Marlowe. Is this the office where he is employed?"

"Yes," answered the man, with a smile.

Bert hardly needed this assurance, however, as he had already discovered
Uncle Jacob sitting in an inner room, at a desk, conversing on business,
apparently, with an elderly man of dignified appearance.

"He will soon be at leisure," said the one who had just entered, and
seated himself at another desk in the outer room.

"That must be Uncle Jacob's employer," thought Bert.

"What news do you hear of the mine?" he heard the elderly man ask.

"Excellent," answered Uncle Jacob. "It has gone up five points within
two weeks. The output is steadily increasing."

"Do you know anything of it from your own knowledge?"

"Certainly; I ought to, for I was myself its discoverer."

This rather surprised Bert.

"It was a rich find," continued Uncle Jacob, "and I have no hesitation
in putting it on the New York market."

"There are so many wild-cat mines, you know, that a man needs to be very
cautious."

"Quite true. In such mines it is only the men who capitalize them who
make money. I would not lend myself to any such scheme of deception. I
have a reputation to sustain, and I value that more than money. Our mine
has found favor with some of the most conservative investors in the
city." Here Uncle Jacob mentioned several names, so prominent that they
were familiar to Bert, country boy though he was.

"You may put me down for five hundred shares," said the elderly man,
apparently convinced. "I will send you round a check to-morrow. To whom
shall I make it payable?"

"To me."

"Very well."

The old gentleman rose, drew on his gloves, and went out, Uncle Jacob
accompanying him to the door. This brought him face to face with Bert.

"So you have come, Bert," he said with a pleasant smile. "How did you
leave your mother?"

"Very well, uncle."

"At what time did you breakfast?"

"At half-past six."

"Then you must be hungry. It is rather early for my lunch, but I will go
out with you now. Mr. Bascom, I shall be back within an hour. If any one
calls to see me, try to keep him."

"Yes, sir," answered Bascom deferentially.

"He can't be Uncle Jacob's employer," thought Bert. "He is too
respectful. I had no idea uncle was such a man of business. He doesn't
appear to be afraid of anybody."

They descende