will yer."

"I certainly shall," replied Hal.

"I only git t'ree dollars where I am, an' have ter work like a horse.
I've jest been home ter grub, an' now I've got ter go back an' work till
nine o'clock."

"Then don't let me keep you," returned Hal, "or you may be late."

"I've got ten minutes yet."

"By the way, how long were you with me before I came to?"

"About ten minutes. I dragged yer inter der buildin', an' I was jest
gittin' ready ter call der cop an' have yer tuk to der hospital when yer
give a gulp an' opened yer eyes."

"While you were sitting here did you notice anybody leave the building?"

Jack scratched his head.

"I t'ink I did."

"What kind of a person was it?"

"A man."

"Heavy sort of a chap?"

"I t'ink he was. I didn't pay much attention ter him on account o'
havin' you on my hands."

"Where did the man come from?"

"Der back o' der building."

"You didn't notice which way he went?"

"Up toward der East River."

"That way?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. Don't let me keep you any longer. Maybe I'll be up to see
you soon."

"Glad ter have yer, 'specially if ye git dat seven dollar job fer me."

And with a broad laugh Jack McCabe hurried on.

Hal turned into the building, and walked toward the rear. A ladder stood
lashed to the back wall. The youth hesitated, and then mounted to the
floor above.

A near-by electric light cast its rays full into the open front. Over
the beams were placed a number of loose boards, and on these the snow,
which had been swept in by the wind, lay to the depth of several inches.

Taking care that he should not slip through an opening, Hal examined the
surface of the snow with great care.

It was not long before he came to a number of foot-prints leading to a
pile of bricks close to the front.

The foot-prints was fresh, and looked as if they had been made by a
man's boot.

The last of them were at a spot that commanded a good view of the
sidewalk below. Hal looked down, and then shuddered.

Was it possible that Hardwick had pushed those bricks down upon him?

"It looked so," murmured Hal to himself. "I must be more cautious in the
future. He must have seen me when I started to hide behind the
bill-board."

Hal descended the ladder, and was soon upon the street once more.

He thought over the situation, and then started for his boarding-house,
satisfied that it would do no good to search farther for the book-keeper
that night.

As has bee