t might not be
satisfied with his uncle's explanation, and that somehow the truth might
come out.

"You must excuse me now," said Andy. "I ought to go back to the office
at once."

John returned to the jeweler's full of excitement.

"Whom do you think I met just now, Uncle Simon?" he asked.

"Andy?"

"Yes."

"Did you speak with him?"

"Yes."

"I suppose he is hunting for a place."

"No; he has got one."

"Where is he working?"

"In a real estate office down town. He is getting five dollars a week."

"I didn't think he could get a place without a recommendation."

"He was recommended by one of our customers--Mrs. Mason."

"I see. Well, that is lucky for him."

Simon Rich spoke indifferently. He was rather glad that Andy had found a
place, as Mr. Flint would be less likely to find fault with his
dismissal.

Not so John. He had never forgiven Andy for superseding him, and he felt
aggrieved that he had so soon found employment. Thinking it over, there
came to him a mean suggestion. He might be able to get Andy discharged
from his present place.

As his uncle seemed indifferent, and might not approve of his
contemplated action, he decided to say nothing about it.

That evening, after supper, he made his way up to West Fifty-sixth
Street, and sought out the residence of Mrs. Mason.

He rang the bell.

"Can I see Mrs. Mason?" he asked.

"What name shall I mention?"

"Say it is a boy from Mr. Flint's."

Mrs. Mason received the message in some surprise. What could a boy from
Flint's have to say to her?

However, she entered the parlor, where John Crandall was waiting to see
her.

"You are from Mr. Flint's?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

"What business can you have with me? I have bought no jewelry lately."

"I know it, Mrs. Mason. It isn't about jewelry I wish to speak."

"What, then?"

"I met, to-day, a boy who was lately employed by our firm--Andrew
Grant."

"Well?"

"He said you had recommended him to a real estate firm down town."

"I did so."

"Perhaps you didn't know that he had been discharged from our place for
dishonesty."

"I begin to understand," thought Mrs. Mason, and she sat down and
examined John curiously.

"Did he steal anything?"

"Yes, ma'am," answered John, glibly. "He took a watch--a gold watch out
of the case and pawned it."

"That was bad. And you have come up to tell me of it? You are very
considerate. Did Mr. Rich send you, or do you come of your own a