ate the new president began to threaten exposure unless Stiles did
exactly as he was told, even when the instructions were contrary to
honest business ethics.

"That's the kind of man Mr. Nickleby is," concluded Lawson. "Cristy
and I--my daughter, Cristobel, Kendrick,--have tried to give Mrs.
Stiles financial assistance in the past, she being an honest deserving
woman; but of late we have not been able to do so much. For his
mother's sake I hope Jimmy turns out all right. But there are times
when I wonder if it would not have been better for him had he gone
somewhere out of reach of a man who would take advantage of a mere boy
instead of trying to help him to a fresh start."

With renewed interest Phil studied the photo in his hand before
returning it. The case of Jimmy Stiles did indeed throw a sidelight
upon the character of Nickleby. By adroit questioning he led the
founder of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company to continue
talking of the institution which represented his life's work and in the
welfare of which his whole soul was wrapped. Once started in these
reminiscences of his early struggles and hopes Nathaniel Lawson proved
himself an interesting talker and the hour was well advanced when
Kendrick finally glanced at his watch and, refusing any suggestion of
refreshments, prepared to go.

"I'll have the answer to Wade's letter ready for you first thing in the
morning," said Lawson as he shook hands heartily. "I've enjoyed the
evening immensely, Kendrick, and I hope I haven't bored you so much
that you won't come again. You'll be welcome any time."

Phil left the house with the feeling that he had spent not only a very
pleasant evening, but a profitable one. He had acquired a new
appreciation of "Old Nat" Lawson and, as Wade had predicted, a better
understanding of the situation which would help him in his
investigations. So absorbed was he in reviewing what he had learned
that he had walked several blocks before he became conscious of
somebody following him. What was at first merely a suspicion became a
certainty when he deliberately turned several successive corners only
to find the figure still in the rear.

The discovery was interesting, though entirely ridiculous. Who could
be interested in his movements? He resolved to throw the fellow off
the track and have a closer look at him. It should not be difficult to
do this in that district of tall hedges. He broke abruptly into a run,