he office on the stroke of
nine."

There was a long pause, each man regarding the other thoughtfully. It
was Tommy who relieved the situation.

"So far as I know," he said slowly, "he has confided in no one but
myself and one other regarding his plans. He's only a boy; he may
change his mind any day. But I don't think it. I never knew any one,
man, woman, or child, so earnest and determined."

"You know how I'm situated, Tommy; mighty little yet but hope--and,
thank God, I've never lost that. It's really a shame, Tommy, paying
him the princely salary of two dollars per, but I need him. Tommy, if
you think it best not to tell, don't."

Tommy understood. "It might help," he said, "and I can depend upon you
to keep silence. Come along."

He led the way to the back of the store, where his bachelor apartments
were situated--a bedroom and a library--a most curious library, for
Tommy was an omnivorous reader and particularly given to romances.

In one corner of the room was a small bookcase with perhaps fifty books
carefully arranged; a little desk and an arm-chair. "That's his
corner," said Tommy abruptly; "look at the books."

Whimple looked over the titles rapidly, then more closely. "Plays," he
murmured, "the lives of actors, more plays, _The Comedian, Garrick,
Nell Gwynn_," then turning to Tommy and raising his voice, "he wants to
be an actor?"

"Yep."

"But many boys think that--almost every boy thinks that."

"But not the way this boy does."

"Yes, but can he read these, Tommy? I never heard any one murder
English like William does. Yet he does it so winningly--that's the
word, I think--that any jury would acquit him. And his slang--uh!" He
shrugged his shoulders.

"Fierce, ain't it?" said Tommy smilingly.

"But can he really read these books?" Whimple reiterated.

"You should hear him and see him tackling the dictionary when he's
stuck. Besides--I'm telling you everything mind in confidence--'Chuck'
Epstein reads with him."

"Epstein! Whew!--and in his day he was the greatest comedian of them
all. And a Jew!"

"And a man," said Tommy Watson with a note of challenge in his voice.

"I've heard much of his kindnesses," Whimple said, "but know him only
by sight."

"He's a great friend of mine," said Tommy; "he spends nearly all his
mornings here; has done since he retired from the stage. He's getting
feeble, but his mind is as clear as ever, and his heart--well, his
heart has neve