Hal a contemptuous look, and then going to a large safe in
the forward part of the main office, brought out the cash and handed it
over.

"You may go to work at once," said Mr. Sumner. "I would advise you to
hunt up a boarding-house after business hours, three o'clock."

"Yes, sir."

And so Hal was installed at Sumner, Allen & Co.'s place of business. He
cleaned up the place, and then started in on the copying Hardwick
brought him.

Mr. Sumner was well pleased with the boy's work for the day, and so
expressed himself.

After business hours Hal bought the overcoat and the pair of shoes. Then
he started out for a boarding-house, and at last found one on Tenth
Street, kept by Mrs. Amanda Ricket, where he obtained a room on the top
floor, with breakfast and supper, for five dollars a week.

On the second day at the office Hal was astonished to learn that the Mr.
Allen of the firm was the man he had seen in company with Mr. Hardwick
on the Pennsylvania ferry-boat. Mr. Allen did not recognize him, and the
youth thought it just as well not to mention the meeting. During the
afternoon Mr. Sumner and Mr. Allen went out together. They were hardly
gone when Hardwick put on his hat and coat and followed, leaving the
youth in sole charge.

Five minutes later a stranger entered and asked for Mr. Allen. Finding
the broker out, he said he would wait, and sat down inside the railing,
near the stove.

He had hardly seated himself, when a snow-ball crashed against the
plate-glass window. Fearful that the glass might be broken, Hal hurried
out. Two boys had been snow-balling each other, and both ran away as
fast as they could.

Hardly had Hal returned to the office than Hardwick came in. He had been
paying a visit to a near-by wine-room, and his face was slightly
flushed. He nodded to the man who was waiting.

"Anything I can do for you?" he asked.

"I want to see Mr. Allen."

"Gone away for the day, sir."

The stranger at once arose and left. Hardwick saw him to the door, and
then sat down near a desk in the rear.

Hal bent over the writing he was doing. He proceeded with great care, as
it was new work to him and he did not wish to make any errors.

Just before three o'clock Mr. Sumner returned. He walked to the rear
office, gave a turn to the knob of the door of his private safe, and
then addressed Hardwick:

"Anything new?"

"No, sir."

"Then we might as well close up."

Five minutes later the main safe was l