ue on that copying, Carson," went on the broker. "Mr.
Hardwick will direct you."

"Yes, sir," replied the youth.

Mr. Sumner quitted the place, and hurried up the street.

Dick Ferris stood on the opposite side near the corner. He then waved
his hand to Hardwick.

The book-keeper at once put on his hat and coat, and went out. Hal did
not see the man join Ferris.

Hal did his best to concentrate his thoughts upon his work, but found it
almost impossible to do so.

A half-hour dragged by slowly.

Then the door burst open, and Hardwick rushed in. He was pale and
terribly excited. Rushing up to Hal he caught the youth roughly by the
arm.

"See here, I want to have a talk with you!" he cried.

"What about?" asked Hal, as coolly as he could.

"You know well enough, you miserable sneak!" hissed Hardwick. "Tell me
at once all you know."

"Know about what?" asked Hal, trying to stand his ground.

Hardwick glared at him for an instant. He seemed to be in a fearful
rage. Suddenly he caught Hal by the throat with one hand, and picked up
a heavy brass-bound ruler with the other.

"Now, Carson, are you going to speak up or not?" he demanded.

CHAPTER XIII.

HAL SHOWS HIS METTLE.

Hal understood perfectly well that a crisis had come. Hardwick had him
by the throat, and unless he acceded to the book-keeper's demand he
would be in immediate danger of being choked to death.

"Let--let go of me," he gasped.

"Not until you do as I say," replied Hardwick. "I want you to understand
that you can't get the best of me."

Hal tried to push Hardwick away, but the book-keeper made a pass at him
with the heavy ruler.

"Keep quiet, if you value your head!" roared Hardwick.

"Let me go!"

"Not until you have told me what you mean by your doings."

"What doings?"

"Your doings up to Mrs. Ricket's."

"Who told you about what happened up there?"

"Never mind; I know all about it."

"Then Ferris saw you last night."

"No, he didn't."

"Or this morning."

"Shut up. You implicated me."

"Did Dick Ferris say I did?" asked Hal.

"Never mind who said so. I want to know what you mean by such work?"

Hal did not reply. He was trying to think. What was Ferris' object in
telling Hardwick he had been mentioned in connection with the matter?

Clearly there could be but one reason. Ferris knew Hardwick already
disliked Hal, and he wished to put the book-keeper against the youth, so
as to get Hal into more diffi