"No, I got tired of it. I deal in quite a different article now."

"Indeed?"

"Suburban lot."

"You don't happen to have any of them with you?"

The stout man roared with laughter, giving Rodney the impression that he
had said a very witty thing.

"That's a good one," he remarked, "the best I've heard for a long time.
No, I haven't any of the lots with me, but I've got a circular. Just
cast your eye over that," and he drew a large and showy prospectus from
his pocket.

"If you should be looking for a good investment," he continued, "you
can't do any better than buy a lot at Morton Park. It is only eighteen
miles from the city and is rapidly building up. You can buy lot on easy
installments, and I will myself pick one out for you that is almost sure
to double in value in a year or two."

"Thank you," said Rodney, "but I shall have to invest my money, if I get
any, in a different way."

"As what for instance?"

"In board and lodging."

"Good. That is even more necessary than real estate."

"How long have you been in the business, sir?"

"About six months."

"And how does it pay?"

"Very well, if you know how to talk."

"I should think you might do well, then."

"Thank you. I appreciate the compliment. What business are you going
into, that is, if you are going to the city?"

"I am going to the city, but I have no idea yet what I shall do."

"Perhaps you may like to become an agent for our lots. I shall be ready
to employ you as sub agent if you feel disposed."

"Thank you, sir. If you will give me your card, I may call upon you."

The short man drew from his card case a business card. It bore the name

ADIN WOODS. ROYAL BUILDING. NASSAU ST. Morton Park Lots.

"Come to see me at any time," he said, "and we will talk the matter
over."

Here the train boy came along and Rodney bought a copy of Puck, while
the agent resumed the perusal of a copy of a magazine. For an hour
the cars ran smoothly. Then there was a sudden shock causing all the
passengers to start to their feet.

"We're off the track!" shouted an excitable person in front of Rodney.

The instinct of self preservation is perhaps stronger than any other.
Rodney and his seat mate both jumped to their feet and hurried to the
door of the car, not knowing what was in store for them.

But fortunately the train had not been going rapidly. It was approaching
a station and was "slowing up." So, though it had really run off the
track,