ENUE.

Paul kept on his way to the office of Mr. Preston. Those who have read
the previous volume will remember him as a gentleman whose
acquaintance Paul had made accidentally. Attracted by our hero's
frank, straightforward manner and manly bearing, he had given him some
work for his mother, and on other occasions had manifested an interest
in his welfare. He now held one hundred and fifty dollars belonging to
Paul, or rather to Mrs. Hoffman, for which he allowed legal interest.

On entering the mercantile establishment, of which Mr. Preston was at
the head, Paul inquired for him of one of the salesmen.

"He is in his office," said the latter.

"Can I see him?"

"I don't know. Do you want to see him personally?"

"Yes, if he has time to see me."

"From whom do you come?"

"I come on my own business."

"Then I don't think you can see him," said the clerk, judging that a
boy's business couldn't be very important.

"If you will be kind enough to carry in my name," said Paul, "Mr.
Preston will decide that."

Paul happened to have in his pocket a business card of the firm from
which he bought the silk used in making up his neckties. He wrote on
the back his name, PAUL HOFFMAN, and presented it to the clerk.

The latter smiled a little superciliously, evidently thinking it
rather a joke that a boy of Paul's age should think himself entitled
to an interview with Mr. Preston during business hours, and on
business of his own. However, he took the card and approached the
office.

"There's a boy outside wishes to see you, Mr. Preston," he said.

"From whom does he come?" asked his employer, a portly,
pleasant-looking gentleman.

"On business of his own, he says. Here is his card."

"Oh, to be sure. Paul Hoffman!" repeated Mr. Preston, glancing at the
card. "Tell him to come in."

"I wonder what business he can have with Mr. Preston," thought the
clerk, considerably surprised.

"You can go in," he said on his return.

Paul smiled slightly, for he observed and enjoyed the other's
surprise.

"Well, my young friend," said Mr. Preston cordially, "how are you
getting on?"

"Pretty well in business, sir," answered Paul. "But we got burned out
yesterday."

"How burned out?"

"I mean the tenement house in which we lodged was burned down."

"No one injured, I hope."

"No, sir; but we lost what little we had there."

"Were you at home at the time?"

"No, sir; my mother and little brother and myself were