but it's pretty
plain you don't know Elkanah Chase. Keep his profits! Why, when a feller
is all but convinced that he knows it all, one little bit of evidence
like that speculation settles it for him conclusive. Elkanah, realizin'
that Wall Street was his apple pie, opened his mouth to swaller it at
one gulp. He put his profits and every other cent he had into another
sure thing tip."

"And won again?"

"No. He lost all that and some more that he borrowed."

"But I thought you said it was the making of him!"

"It was. He had to take a job over at the overalls factory in Ostable.
As a fifteen thousand dollar gentleman, he was pretty average of a mess,
but they tell me he makes middlin' good overalls. Elkanah convinced me
that Wall Street has its good points."

He chuckled. Pearson, relieved, laughed in sympathy. "Has he paid back
the money he borrowed?" he inquired.

"No-o! I guess the creditors'll have to take it out in overalls.
However, it's a satisfaction to some of 'em to watch Chase really work.
I know that gives me _my_ money's worth."

"Oh, ho! You are one of the creditors! Captain Warren, I'm surprised. I
sized you up as a shrewder judge of investments."

Captain Elisha colored. "I judged that one correct," he answered. "If
I hadn't thought 'twould have turned out that way I never would have
plunged. You see, old man Chase was a friend of mine, and--However," he
added, hastily changing the subject, "we've strayed some off the course.
When I mentioned the Stock Exchange I did it because my brother was a
member of it, and I cal'late you might have known him."

Pearson was astonished. "Your brother was a member of the Exchange?" he
repeated.

"Um-hm. Never would have guessed it, would you? I s'pose you cal'late
all the stock I knew about was on the hoof. Well, I have been acquainted
with other breeds in my time. My brother's name was Abijah Warren--A.
Rodgers Warren, he called himself."

The effect of this announcement was instantaneous and electric. The
young man sat back in his chair.

"A. Rodgers Warren was your brother?" he cried.

"Um-hm. Seems to stagger you some. Contrast between us as big as all
that comes to?"

"But--but, Captain Warren--Your brother--Tell me, is Miss Caroline
Warren your niece?"

"She is. And Steve is my nephew. 'Tain't possible you're acquainted with
them?"

Pearson rose to his feet. "Is--They used to live on the Avenue," he
said. "But you said you were visiting. Ca