in the office.

But Matt found it would do no good to complain. Times were just then
somewhat hard, and another place was not easy to obtain. He decided to
make the most of it until times grew better, and in this resolve
remained with Randolph Fenton week after week until the opening of
this story.

Matt had been sent by Randolph Fenton on an errand to Temple Court, to
be done as soon as the boy had finished lunch. Waiting for another
minute to make certain that he was not being followed, the boy hurried
to one of the elevators, and was lifted to the third floor.

The errand was quickly transacted, and with several books under his
arm for his employer, Matt started on the return to the offices in
Broad street.

Not wishing to be seen in the vicinity of the auction store, Matt
turned down Park Row instead of Nassau street, and so continued down
Broadway, his intention being to pass through Wall to Broad.

He had just reached the corner of Fulton street when some one tapped
him upon the shoulder, and turning, he found himself confronted by
Andrew Dilks, the old auctioneer's assistant.

CHAPTER IV.

AN INTERESTING PROPOSITION.

On catching sight of Andrew Dilks Matt's first thought was to break
and run. But a second look into the old auctioneer's assistant's face
assured him that no immediate harm was meant, and he stood his ground,
his eyes flashing, defiantly.

"You didn't expect us to meet quite so soon, did you?" remarked Andrew
Dilks with a quiet smile.

"No, I didn't," returned Matt bluntly.

"I suppose you were doing your best to keep out of the way of Gulligan
and myself."

"Is Gulligan the man I had the row with?"

"Yes."

"Then you are right. I don't want to get into trouble for nothing.
That young lady was not to blame for what happened, and I considered
it my duty to take her part."

"Mr. Gulligan was very mad," went on Andrew Dilks, still smiling
quietly.

"I can't help that. He ought not to have pitched into me the way he
did."

"I agree with you."

At these words, so quietly but firmly spoken, Matt's eyes opened in
wonder. Was it possible that the old auctioneer's assistant took his
part?

"You agree with me?" he repeated.

"Yes, I agree with you. Gulligan was altogether too hasty--he most
generally is," returned Andrew Dilks.

"I'll bet you don't dare tell him that," and Matt grinned mischievously.

"I have just told him."

"What?"

"Yes. I believe that unknown m