meal was concluded Andrew Dilks walked up to the
proprietor, who was also cashier, and paid their bill. Then he asked
the man if he did not think some new knives and forks would be
appreciated by his customers.

"I have no doubt but what they would be," returned the restaurant
keeper. "But they cost too much money, and times are rather hard."

"I can sell you some cheap," returned Andy, and he mentioned his
price.

The restaurant man smiled.

"Too cheap to be good," he said. "I must have some that will stand the
wear."

"Let me show you them. Matt, go out and bring in a few dozen of the
No. 23 knives and forks, and also some of the X23 spoons," went on
Andy briskly.

Matt at once complied, and his partner continued to talk to the
restaurant keeper, thus keeping his attention. When the articles were
brought Andy invited the prospective purchaser to make a thorough
examination of them.

"Send a couple down to the kitchen and have them scoured. They are
triple-plated, and will stand it," he added.

Andy's business-like way pleased the restaurant keeper, and after a
little more talk he purchased three dozen each of knives and forks and
two dozen spoons.

The price was paid over, and both Andy and Matt were congratulating
themselves on their good luck, when a man who had been standing near
the window of the restaurant peering in stepped inside and tapped both
on the shoulder.

"I would like to see your license for selling," he said sternly.

CHAPTER XI.

HARSH TREATMENT.

Both Matt and Andy were considerably taken aback by the unexpected
demand of the stranger. When they had come to Newark they had not
expected to sell anything, and therefore had not given the question of
a license a single thought.

"Excuse me, but I am sorry to state we have no license," returned Andy
frankly. "We did not expect to make any sales here, but were going
straight through to Elizabeth."

"Very likely," sneered the man, who was a special officer attached to
the police department. "But I saw you make the sale, and you must come
with me."

"Oh, Andy, let us pay the license," exclaimed Matt, in a low voice, as
visions of a week or a month in jail floated before his mind. It would
be simply terrible to be locked up.

"That's what we will have to do," returned Andy, who had been through
such a predicament before, and was not, therefore, greatly alarmed.
"Don't be afraid; we will come out all right. Only it will cost u