ently an elevated train rolled in at the station, and in a moment a
stream of people came down the stairs on both sides of the street.

Hal saw Ferris straighten up, and keep his eyes on the crowd.

"That settles it; he is looking for somebody," was Hal's mental
conclusion. "Now, I'll wait and see if it isn't Hardwick."

The crowd passed by. Ferris had met no one, and he resumed his old
stand, and puffed away as before.

Presently another train rolled in. Again Ferris watched out. In a moment
he had halted a man wrapped up in an immense ulster, and with his hat
pulled far down over his eyes.

Hal once more crossed the street. He passed Ferris, and saw that the man
the tall boy had stopped was Caleb Allen.

Hal was surprised at this. He was under the impression that Allen used
the Sixth Avenue elevated to come down from his home. Had the broker
spent the night away from home, instead of going to that place after
leaving the gambling den?

Standing not over fifteen feet away, Hal saw Ferris talk earnestly to
Allen for fully five minutes. Then the broker put his hand in his vest
pocket, and passed over several bank bills. This was followed by a small
package from his overcoat pocket, which the tall boy quickly placed in
his breast.

"I wonder what that package contains?" mused Hal, as the two separated.

Allen continued on the way downtown, calling a cab for that purpose. Hal
felt certain the broker was going to the office, so there was no use of
following him for the present.

He turned to Ferris and saw the tall youth stride up Park Row, and then
turn into a side street.

"Is it possible he is going to see Macklin again?" was Hal's comment.

Such seemed to be Ferris' purpose, and it left Hal in perplexity as to
whether he should follow or not.

Then he thought of his mission, and a bold plan came into his mind.

"I will follow," he said to himself. "The only way to get at the bottom
of the tin box mystery is to learn of all the plans this band of
evil-doers form."

CHAPTER XXIV.

HAL IN A NEW ROLE.

Instead of continuing toward the East River, Dick Ferris soon turned
northward and presently reached Grand Street.

This neighborhood was entirely new to Hal, and he was at once satisfied
that the tall boy was not going to pay a visit to Tommy Macklin.

Passing down Grand Street, Ferris presently came to a tall, white
building, with a large open hall-way, the entrance to which was covered
on ei