t as the city clocks
were striking ten, Baker said:

"Well, Walton, I must bid you good-night."

"Won't you walk home with me? It isn't far out of your way."

"Can't do it to-night. The fact is, I want to see the governor before
he retires. I'm hard up, and shall try to get a ten-dollar bill out of
him."

"I wish you success. As to being 'hard up,' I can sympathize with you.
Couldn't you ask him for an extra ten for me?"

"I would if there was any chance of getting it, but I'm afraid my own
chance is slim enough."

"If I only got Grey's salary, I wouldn't ask favors of anybody; but how
is a fellow to get along on ten dollars a week?"

"Just so. Well, good-night."

"Good-night."

Baker walked off, and Maurice Walton walked on by himself. He had taken
but a few steps when Mr. Grey, quickening his pace, laid his hand upon
his shoulder.

"Mr. Walton," said he.

Maurice turned quickly.

"You must excuse the liberty I have taken in addressing you, being a
stranger; but I heard you, when in conversation with the young man who
has just left you, mention the name of Gilbert Grey."

"Yes, sir, I mentioned his name," said Maurice. "Do you know him?"

"I have spoken with him, but I know very little about him. I judge that
you do."

"We are in the same store," said Maurice; "but we are not intimate
friends."

"I infer that you do not like him?"

"No, I don't."

"Nor do I."

Probably Mr. Grey could not have said anything more likely to win young
Walton's confidence than this frank expression of dislike.

"The fact is," continued Mr. Grey, "I suppose I may speak to you in
confidence?"

"Oh! certainly, sir," said Maurice, eagerly, for he anticipated hearing
something to Gilbert's disadvantage.

"Then," said Mr. Grey, in a low tone, "I look upon him as an impostor."

"You do?" repeated young Walton. "What makes you think so?"

"I don't like to speak openly in the street. Can you give me an hour,
or even half an hour of your time, or is it necessary for you to go
home at once?"

"Where are you stopping, sir?"

"At the Burnet House."

"I think I can spare half an hour. It is near by."

"Thank you. I will endeavor to make the interview a profitable one for
you. I am going to ask a service of you, and I am willing to pay
handsomely for it."

Upon a young man "hard up," as Maurice was, this suggestion was not
thrown away.

"I shall be glad to help you, sir," he said, quickly.

"Come with me, then.