ed by his side.

"Hullo, Clyde! What is the matter with you _now_?" he inquired.

And his feet came down from off the railing and the legs of the chair
settled upon the plank with a thump.

"I--I want to speak to you," panted the boy.

"Well, speak away. I'm listening."

Clyde shook his head.

"No, not here," he said, with due regard to the danger of talking over
private matters where an unsuspected ear might be within hearing
distance. "This is very important."

"It must be," said the broker, with a little laugh. "Well, come to my
room."

The broker led the way to a room that looked out upon the water.

Clyde walked to the window to see that there were no convenient porches,
and then drew a chair up to the table and sat down.

"Now," said the broker, "go on."

Clyde hesitated a moment. He really did not know how to begin. Finally
be got started:

"Mr. Leeds, you said to-day that you had got tired of the yacht, did you
not?"

"That's what I said," replied the broker. "Did you bring me up here to
tell me that?"

"You said you were going to sell the Orion, did you not?"

"No, I did not. I said I was going to smash her up. But I have thought
better of that. I'm going to load her up with pitch and anchor her off
in the stream and set fire to her. I am going to do that on the Fourth
of July, and have a celebration all to myself. Won't that be fun?"

"I thought you would perhaps take her around to New York and sell her.
If you were going to do that--"

"Oh, but I'm not going to do anything of the sort. I am not in the
yacht-selling business. I wouldn't be bothered with her. But what is all
this about, anyway?"

"Well, then, to come to the point, I want to buy her."

"_You_ want to buy her! Well, that _is_ a good one. Do you know what I
paid for the Orion?"

"No, sir."

"Well, she cost me just one thousand dollars. How much are you willing
to give for her?"

Mr. Leeds looked at the well-worn garments of the would-be purchaser and
smiled.

"What will you sell her for?" asked Clyde.

"Come, now, is this a joke, or what?" grinned the broker. "Has your
uncle suddenly opened his heart, or have you come into possession of
your property?"

"Neither," replied the boy, gravely, "but if you will sell me the yacht
on a note--"

"On a note, eh? Well, isn't this rich? What is your note worth?"

"Nothing, I know, Mr. Leeds; but it will be some day. I can't pay you
now, but when I am old enough to draw a