about to get married," he thought. "By his looks, I think, he wants
something rather nice."

"Yes, sir," said Hal.

"With an engraved plate, I suppose?"

"Of course."

"I'll show you our book of specimens."

The man turned away to where a number of books were lying upon a side
desk. As he did so, Hal carelessly picked up the slips Ferris had left
and examined them.

He could make nothing of them, excepting that one had the words: "Bonds
of the Second Class, receivable," printed across its face, and another,
"Sumner, Allen & Co. Transfer Slip of Limited Calls, December."

"Here you are," said the man, coming up with one of the books, and he
gathered up the slips and put them away with a memorandum.

Hal looked over the book, and noted down the prices of several styles of
invitations.

"I do not want to order," he said. "I merely wanted the prices."

"Very well. Glad to see you at any time," returned the man.

Once down in the street again, Hal looked up and down, but could see
nothing of Ferris.

But when the youth reached Grand Street he beheld Ferris making for
downtown as rapidly as his long legs would carry him.

"I suppose he is going to stand outside and meet Mr. Allen when he comes
out," thought Hal. "I will follow him, and see what turns up next."

Dick Ferris walked up Grand Street until he came to Broadway. Here he
stood upon the corner, and presently waved his hand toward a passing
horse-car.

Immediately a man descended from the car, and came toward the tall
youth. It was Hardwick.

"Hullo! This can't be a chance meeting," said Hal to himself. "No wonder
Ferris hurried to the corner. He almost missed his man."

As Hardwick stepped from the street to the sidewalk, he glanced toward
where Hal was standing, gazing into a shop window. Then he turned to
Ferris, and the two began an earnest conversation.

Hal passed the pair, but did not catch a word of what was said. Nor did
the young watcher notice Dick Ferris' quick, nervous look in his
direction.

A few minutes later, Hardwick and Ferris walked back down Grand Street.
Reaching Chrystie, they turned into it, and walked along several blocks
until they came to a narrow alley leading to a lumber-yard.

Both passed into the lumber-yard and out of Hal's sight. Wondering what
had become of them, the boy passed the place.

No one was in sight.

"That's queer. I wonder if they entered that building in the rear?"

For fully ten minutes Hal