XIII. PAUL MAKES A PURCHASE.
XIV. THE SPOT UPON THE COAT.
XV. SUSPICION.
XVI. LOCKED UP FOR THE NIGHT.
XVII. TRAPPED.
XVIII. THE VALUE OF A CLOTHES-LINE.
XIX. A CURIOSITY SHOP.
XX. THE DISGUISED LISTENER.
XXI. A BRIGHTER PROSPECT FOR JULIUS.
XXII. MARLOWE OVERTAKES HIS VICTIM.
XXIII. A TIMELY RESCUE.
XXIV. THE POOR ARTIST.
XXV. MR. TALBOT'S RETURN.
XXVI. FROM THE SIDEWALK TO THE SHOP.

SLOW AND SURE.

------

CHAPTER I.

SIX MONTHS AFTER.

"It's most time for Paul to come home," said Mrs. Hoffman. "I must be
setting the table for supper."

"I wonder how he will like my new picture," said Jimmy, a delicate boy
of eight, whose refined features, thoughtful look, and high brow
showed that his mind by no means shared the weakness of his body.
Though only eight years of age he already manifested a remarkable
taste and talent for drawing, in which he had acquired surprising
skill, considering that he had never taken lessons, but had learned
all he knew from copying such pictures as fell in his way.

"Let me see your picture, Jimmy," said Mrs. Hoffman. "Have you
finished it?"

She came up and looked over his shoulder. He had been engaged in
copying a humorous picture from the last page of _Harper's Weekly._ It
was an ambitious attempt on the part of so young a pupil, but he had
succeeded remarkably well, reproducing with close fidelity the
grotesque expressions of the figures introduced in the picture.

"That is excellent, Jimmy," said his mother in warm commendation.

The little boy looked gratified.

"Do you think I will be an artist some day?" he asked.

"I have no doubt of it," said his mother, "if you can only obtain
suitable instruction. However, there is plenty of time for that. You
are only seven years old."

"I shall be eight to-morrow," said Jimmy, straightening up his slender
form with the pride which every boy feels in advancing age.

"So you will. I had forgotten it."

"I wonder whether I can earn as much money as Paul when I get as old,"
said Jimmy thoughtfully. "I don't think I can. I shan't be half as
strong."

"It isn't always the strongest who earn the most money," said his
mother.

"But Paul is smart as well as strong."

"So are you smart. You can read unusually well for a boy of your age,
and in drawing I think Paul is hardly your equal, though he is twice
as old."

Jimmy laughed.

"That's true, mother," he said. "Paul t