am afraid he will write to your uncle. He's bold enough for
anything."

"I didn't think of that," said John, thoughtfully.

"Do you know his handwriting, Mrs. Bradley?"

"I think I should know it."

"Then if any letters come which you know to be from him, keep them back
from my uncle."

"What shall I do with them?"

"Give them to me. I don't want my uncle worried by his appeals."

"Your uncle seems to be very attached to him. He may go to the store to
see him."

"That is true. I should not like that. How shall we prevent it, that's
the question."

"If Gilbert & Mack knew that he was not honest they would discharge
him."

"Exactly," said John Wade; "and as probably he would be unable to get
another situation, he would be compelled to leave the city, and we
should get rid of him. I commend your shrewdness, Mrs. Bradley. Your
plan is most excellent."

John Wade had more reasons than the housekeeper knew of for desiring the
removal of our young hero from the city--reasons which the reader has
probably guessed. There was a dark secret in his life connected with a
wrong done in years past, from which he hoped some day to reap personal
benefit. Unconsciously Frank Fowler stood in his way, and must be
removed. Such was his determination.

"I am going out this morning," said the housekeeper. "I will make it in
my way to call at Gilbert & Mack's. My nephew is a salesman there, as I
have told you. I will drop a word in his ear, and that will be enough to
settle that boy's hash."

"Your language is professional, Mrs. Bradley," said John Wade, laughing,
"but you shouldn't allude to hash in an aristocratic household. I shall
be glad to have you carry out your plan."

"I hope you'll speak to your uncle about my nephew, Mr. John. He gets
very poor pay where he is."

"I won't forget him," said John, carelessly.

In his heart he thought Thomas Bradley a very low, obtrusive fellow,
whom he felt by no means inclined to assist, but it was cheap to make
promises.

The reader understands now why Mrs. Bradley made a morning call at
Gilbert & Mack's store.

She knew at what part of the counter her nephew was stationed, and made
her way thither at once. He did not at first recognize her, until she
said:

"Good-morning, Thomas."

"Good-morning, aunt. What brings you here this morning? Any good news
for me? Has the old gentleman come around and concluded to do something
handsome?"

"Mr. Wharton is not in the city. He