nded Phil.

"Of course, of course. I know you are trustworthy, or I would have given
you a check instead."

When Phil left the building he was followed, though he did not know it,
by a man looking like a clerk.

Ah, Phil, you are in danger, though you don't suspect it.

CHAPTER XXXI.

PHIL IS SHADOWED.

Phil felt that he must be more than usually careful, because the money
he had received was in the form of bills, which, unlike the check, would
be of use to any thief appropriating it. That he was in any unusual
danger, however, he was far from suspecting.

He reached Broadway, and instead of taking an omnibus, started to
walk up-town. He knew there was no haste, and a walk up the great busy
thoroughfare had its attractions for him, as it has for many others.

Behind him, preserving a distance of from fifteen to twenty feet, walked
a dark-complexioned man of not far from forty years of age. Of course
Phil was not likely to notice him.

Whatever the man's designs might be, he satisfied himself at first
with simply keeping our hero in view. But as they both reached Bleecker
Street, he suddenly increased his pace and caught up with Phil. He
touched the boy on the shoulder, breathing quickly, as if he had been
running.

Phil turned quickly.

"Do you want me, sir?" he asked, eying the stranger in surprise.

"I don't know. Perhaps I am mistaken. Are you in the employ of Mr.
Oliver Carter?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ah I then you are the boy I want. I have bad news for you."

"Bad news!" repeated Phil, alarmed. "What is it?"

"Mr. Carter was seized with a fit in the street half an hour since."

"Is he--dead?" asked Phil, in dismay.

"No, no! I think he will come out all right."

"Where is he?"

"In my house. I didn't of course know who he was, but I found in his
pocket a letter directed to Oliver Carter, Madison Avenue. There was
also a business card. He is connected in business with Mr. Pitkin, is he
not?"

"Yes, sir," answered Phil; "where is your house?"

"In Bleecker Street, near by. Mr. Carter is lying on the bed. He is
unconscious, but my wife heard him say: 'Call Philip.' I suppose that is
you?"

"Yes, sir; my name is Philip."

"I went around to his place of business, and was told that you had just
left there. I was given a description of you and hurried to find you.
Will you come to the house and see Mr. Carter?"

"Yes, sir," answered Phil, forgetting everything except that his kind
and gener