you would care to go into the store with
me for a week or two until a better plan can be devised."

The lad's face instantly brightened.

"Yes, I would," he cried. "I'd like it very much." Although the scheme
was not a brilliant one, it was far better than hanging about Elversham
day after day. To go to the city would mean new sights, new sounds, and
doubtless luncheon with his father--a treat to which he had always
looked forward since a small boy.

"Really now!" commented Mr. Burton, beaming down at him. "Well, I am
surprised. I feared you would not even listen to the proposal. So you
like it, eh? Oh, not for long, of course--I understand that; but simply
as a filler."

Christopher was all cordiality.

"It wouldn't be half bad."

"Don't imagine I shall set you to work," continued Mr. Burton hastily.

"I'd rather work if there was anything I could do."

"I am afraid there wouldn't be," was the reply. "Ours is a trade that
has, for the most part, to be learned."

"I suppose so."

"No, I shall not set you to work--or entertain you, either. You will
have to look out for yourself. However, as you say, it may amuse you to
go to the store, and perhaps when you get there you can make some sort
of a niche for yourself. We'll see."

"Certainly there must be errands to run," Christopher suggested.

Mr. Burton eyed the boy pleasantly, but shook his head.

"Even our errands have to be detailed to skilled men--at least, most of
them. Now and then, it is true, there are ordinary messages to be
delivered; but in most cases any packages we send out are too valuable
to be entrusted to boys your age. They might be held up."

"Held up!" repeated Christopher incredulously.

"Surely. Such things have happened," Mr. Burton nodded. "We never feel
safe about sending out valuable goods unless they are well guarded."

"It would be mighty exciting to be held up!" Christopher gasped, his
eyes wide with interest.

"Exciting!" mimicked his father sarcastically. "Exciting! Humph! I guess
you would find it something more than exciting if a group of yeggs
thrust a pistol under your nose. You seem to forget that persons who
hold up a messenger do it to get the goods."

"But they don't always succeed?" came breathlessly from Christopher.

"Not in moving pictures," was the grim retort. "In the movies, somebody
always happens along at the crucial moment, rescues the hero, captures
the villain, and everything is all right. That is th