uppose this is Jasper's revenge," thought Rodney.

CHAPTER XX.

RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL.

Jasper had little doubt that his letter would lead to Rodney's loss of
position. It was certainly a mean thing to plot another's downfall,
but Jasper was quite capable of it. Had he secured the loan he asked he
would have been willing to leave Rodney alone, but it would only have
been the first of a series of similar applications.

It was several days before Jasper had an opportunity of learning whether
his malicious plan had succeeded or not. On Sunday forenoon he met
Rodney on Fifth Avenue just as the church services were over. He crossed
the street and accosted the boy he had tried to injure.

"Good morning, Ropes," he said, examining Rodney's face curiously to see
whether it indicated trouble of any kind.

"Good morning!" responded Rodney coolly.

"How are you getting along in your place?"

"Very well, thank you."

"Shall I find you at your pupil's house if I call there some afternoon?"

"Yes, unless I am out walking with Arthur."

"I wonder whether he's bluffing," thought Jasper. "I daresay he wouldn't
tell me if he had been discharged. He takes it pretty coolly."

"How long do you think your engagement will last?" he asked.

"I don't know. I never had a talk with Mr. Sargent on that point."

"Do you still give satisfaction?"

Rodney penetrated Jasper's motives for asking all these questions, and
was amused.

"I presume if I fail to satisfy Mr. Sargent he will tell me so."

"It would be a nice thing if you could stay there three or four years."

"Yes: but I don't anticipate it. When Arthur get a little older he will
be sent to school."

"What will you do then?"

"I haven't got so far as that."

"I can't get anything out of him," said Jasper to himself. "I shouldn't
be a bit surprised if he were already discharged."

They had now reached Madison Square, and Jasper left Rodney.

The latter looked after him with a smile.

"I think I have puzzled Jasper," he said to himself. "He was anxious to
know how his scheme had worked. He will have to wait a little longer."

"If Mr. Sargent keeps Ropes after my letter he must be a fool," Jasper
decided. "I wonder if Ropes handles the mail. He might have suppressed
the letter."

But Rodney was not familiar with his handwriting, and would have no
reason to suspect that the particular letter contained anything likely
to injure him in the eyes of Mr. Sargen