business," answered Chester, not caring to make a confidant of
Felix."

"Won't it cost a good deal of money?"

"Yes; but I expect to get paid for going."

"What a lucky fellow you are!" said Felix, not without a trace of envy.
"I wish I could go. I like to travel, but I have never had a chance."

Mr. Fairchild was equally surprised when told of Chester's plans.

"Are you going as an artist?" he asked.

"No; as a real estate man," answered Chester. "I own a few lots in
Tacoma, and have a chance of selling a part of them."

Then he went into particulars.

"I congratulate you. I have only one piece of advice to offer. Make
careful inquiries as to the value of property. Then ask a fair price,
not one that is exorbitant. That might drive the hotel people to
seeking another site for their house."

"Thank you, Mr. Fairchild; I will remember your advice."

"The journey is an expensive one. If you need two or three hundred
dollars I will loan it to you cheerfully."

"Thank you very much, but I have more money saved up than I shall
require."

"I see you are careful and provident. Well, Chester, I wish you every
success."

"I am sure of that, Mr. Fairchild. By the way, I hear that your old
bookkeeper is in Oregon or Washington."

"Who told you?"

"Felix. Have you any message for him if I happen to meet him?"

"Say that I have no intention of prosecuting him. If he is ever able I
shall be glad to have him return the money he took from me. As to
punishment, I am sure he has been punished enough by his enforced
flight and sense of wrongdoing."

CHAPTER XXXVI.

A GREAT SURPRISE.

From New York to Tacoma is a long journey. Over three thousand miles
must be traversed by rail, but the trip is far from tiresome. Chester
and his companion thoroughly enjoyed it. All was new and strange, and
the broad spaces through which they passed were full of interest.

They stopped at Niagara Falls, but only for a few hours, and spent a
day in Chicago. Then they were whirled onward to St. Paul and
Minneapolis, and later on over the broad plains of North Dakota and
through the mountains of Montana.

"I never thought the country was so large before," said Chester to
Edward. "You have been over the ground once before."

"Yes; but part of it was during the night, It is pleasant to see it
once more. Many of the places have grown considerably, though it is
only two years since I came from Portland."

Chester made some ag