but it didn't seem
businesslike.

"Can't I go with you to the office?" he suggested.

"I think I can succeed better in the negotiation if I am alone," said
the stranger. "I'll tell you what--you needn't hand me the money,
provided you agree to take the ticket off my hands at fifty dollars
if I secure it."

"Certainly I will, and be very thankful to you."

"I always like to help young men along," said the stranger
benevolently. "I'll see about it to-morrow. Now, where can I meet
you?"

"In this room. How will that do?"

"Perfectly. I am sure I can get the ticket for you. Be sure to have
the money ready."

"I'll be sure," said Joe cheerfully.

"And hark you, my young friend," continued the stranger, "don't say a
word to any one of what I am going to do for you, or I might have
other applications, which I should be obliged to refuse."

"Very well, sir. I will remember."

Punctually at four the next day the stranger entered the room, where
Joe was already awaiting him.

"Have you succeeded?" asked Joe eagerly.

The stranger nodded.

"Let us go up to your room and complete our business. For reasons
which I have already mentioned, I prefer that the transaction should
be secret."

"All right, sir."

Joe got his key, and led the way up-stairs.

"I had a little difficulty with the agent," said the stranger; "but
finally he yielded, out of old friendship." He produced a large card,
which read thus:

CALIFORNIA STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

THE BEARER

Is Entitled to One Steerage Passage

FROM

NEW YORK TO SAN FRANCISCO

STEAMER COLUMBUS.

Below this was printed the name of the agent. Joe paid over the
money joyfully.

"I am very much obliged to you," he said gratefully.

"Don't mention it," said the stranger, pocketing the fifty dollars.
"Good day! Sorry to leave you, but I am to meet a gentleman at five."

He went down-stairs, and left Joe alone.

CHAPTER VII

JOE GETS INTO TROUBLE

"How lucky I have been," thought Joe, in the best of spirits. "There
wasn't one chance in ten of my succeeding, and yet I have succeeded.
Everything has turned out right. If I hadn't met this man, I
couldn't have got a ticket at half price."

Joe found that after paying his hotel expenses, he should have a
dollar left over. This would be rather a small sum to start with in
California, but Joe didn't trouble himself much about that.

In the course of the day Joe found himself