efaulter."

"That's part of his plan."

"You may be right, Hal. You are a wonderful boy. As I was saying, we had
a stormy interview, and I doubt if he spends a great deal of time here
during the remaining days of our partnership."

"The partnership ends on New Year's day, doesn't it?"

"That was the day set, but by mutual agreement we have made the date the
twentieth of December."

"Why, that is day after to-morrow."

"Yes."

"The day the slips are to be finished."

"So it is."

"No wonder Ferris wished them as soon as possible."

Horace Sumner arose, and walked up and down the office.

"If there is to be any crooked work in the matter of the slips, I will
take good care to head it off. I might be swindled out of thousands of
dollars in that way."

"You will look over the genuine slips, I suppose?"

"I will, in the presence of the new book-keeper and another witness.
There shall be no under-handed work in the matter. I believe you are
altogether right, Hal. I have been surrounded by villains, and they
would pluck me to the end if I but gave them the chance."

CHAPTER XXVI.

HAL OBTAINS ANOTHER SITUATION.

For a moment there was silence, and then Horace Sumner stopped short
before Hal.

"There is another matter I might mention," he said. "Caleb Allen is
going, or rather, has gone, into business for himself."

"What kind of business?" asked the youth, in surprise.

"A brokerage and loan office."

"Near here?"

"Yes, right around the corner of Broad Street, not five minutes, walk.
He hired the place from the first, and I understand he and another man
are already doing business there."

"Who is the other man?"

"A fellow named Parsons."

"Has he a good reputation?"

"Far from it. He was arrested for forgery five years ago, but his
friends hushed the matter up."

"Have you the number of the place?"

"Yes, here it is. What do you intend to do?"

"I don't know. I'll take a look at the place. That will do no harm.
Perhaps Hardwick will call on Mr. Allen."

After a few words more Hal left the private office, and passed out on
Wall Street.

He soon turned the corner into Broad Street, the second great money
center of New York, and presently came to the building in which was
situated the offices now occupied by the firm of Allen & Parsons.

The offices were down three steps, and as Hal passed on the pavement
above, a small sign pasted in the corner of the window attracted his
att