ement of the evening
before. There were several different lines, he remembered, to which
Carson had called special attention, with the assertion that the values
were absolute and the quality guaranteed.

But his attention was very quickly diverted from any study of the store
itself to the even more interesting and instructive study of the old man
who accompanied him. He had invited an expert to look the situation
over, there could be no possible doubt of that. And the expert was
looking it over--there could be no doubt of that, either. As they passed
down one aisle and up another, Richard could see how the eagle eyes
noted one point after another, yet without any disturbing effect of
searching scrutiny. Here and there Mr. Kendrick's gaze lingered a trifle
longer, and more than once he came close to a counter and brought an
eyeglass to bear on the goods there displayed, nodding pleasantly at the
salespeople as he did so. And everywhere he went glances followed him.

It seemed to Richard that he had never realized before what a
distinguished looking old man his grandfather was. He was not of more
than average height; he was dressed, though scrupulously, as
unobtrusively as is any quiet gentleman of his years and position; but
none the less was there something about him which spoke of the man of
affairs, of the leader, the organizer, the general.

Alfred Carson came hurrying out of the little office as the two
Kendricks came in sight. Matthew Kendrick greeted him with distinct
evidence of pleasure.

"Ah, Mr. Carson," he said, "I am very glad to see you again. I have
missed you from your department. How do you find the new business? More
interesting than the old, eh?"

"It is always interesting, sir," responded Carson, "to enlarge one's
field of operations."

Mr. Kendrick laughed heartily at this, turning to Richard as he did so.
"That's a great compliment to you, Dick," he said, "that Mr. Carson
feels he has enlarged his field by coming up here to you, and leaving
me."

"Don't you think it's true, grandfather?" challenged Richard boldly.

"To be sure it's true," agreed Mr. Kendrick. "But it sometimes takes a
wise man to see that a swing from the centre of things to the rim is the
way to swing back to the centre finally. Well, I've looked about quite a
bit,--what next, Dick?"

"Won't you come into the office, sir, and ask us any questions that you
like? We want your criticism and your suggestions," declared Richa