"I want you to follow him. Find out where he lives, and let me know this
evening. Do you understand?"

"I understand. You may rely upon me, sir," answered Nathan Graves; and
quickening his pace, he soon came within a hundred feet of our hero.

After fulfilling his errand, Frank walked downtown again, but did not
succeed in obtaining any further employment. Wherever he went, he was
followed by Graves. Unconsciously, he exhausted the patience of that
gentleman, who got heartily tired of his tramp about the streets. But
the longest day will come to an end, and at last he had the satisfaction
of tracking Frank to his humble lodging. Then, and not till then, he
felt justified in leaving him.

Nathan Graves sought the residence of John Wade. He rang the bell as the
clock struck eight.

"Well, what success?" asked Wade, when they met.

"I have tracked the boy. What more can I do for you?" asked Graves.

"I want to get him away from the city. The fact is--I may as well tell
you--my uncle has taken a great fancy to the boy, and might be induced
to adopt him, and cut me off from my rightful inheritance. The boy is
an artful young rascal, and has been doing all he could to get into the
good graces of my uncle, who is old and weak-minded."

It was nine o'clock when Nathan Graves left the house, John Wade himself
accompanying him to the door.

"How soon do you think you can carry out my instructions?" asked Wade.

"To-morrow, if possible."

"The sooner the better."

"It is lucky I fell in with him," said Nathan Graves to himself, with
satisfaction, as he slowly walked down Fifth Avenue. "It's a queer
business, but that's none of my business. The main thing for me to
consider is that it brings money to my purse, and of that I have need
enough."

Graves left the house richer by a hundred dollars than he entered it.

It was eleven o'clock on the forenoon of the next day when Frank walked
up Canal Street toward Broadway. He had been down to the wharves
since early in the morning, seeking for employment. He had offered his
services to many, but as yet had been unable to secure a job.

As he was walking along a man addressed him:

"Will you be kind enough to direct me to Broadway?"

It was Nathan Graves, with whom Frank was destined to have some
unpleasant experiences.

"Straight ahead," answered Frank. "I am going there, and will show you,
if you like."

"Thank you, I wish you would. I live only fifteen or twenty