Part 37 (1/2)

”Yes,” answered Ben readily.

”Have you got a place there?”

”I am going to have,” said Ben cheerfully.

”Do you mind telling where?”

”Oh, no,” said Ben; ”I am going to the store of Jones & Porter.”

”Indeed! There are very prominent business men.”

”I suppose they are,” said Ben.

”Do you know them personally?”

”I don't know them at all. I think some friend of mine must have mentioned me to them.”

”It's rather singular that I shouldn't know anything about your engagement,” said the young man.

”Why should you?” inquired Ben, in natural surprise.

”The fact is, I am Mr. Porter's nephew, and am a salesman in the establishment,” said the young man. He drew from his pocket a business card, bearing the name.

HENRY W. PORTER

With Jones and Porter

Ben was rather disturbed, and he thought: ”Can there be anything wrong?”

He said aloud: ”I don't see how there can be any mistake. I received a letter from Jones & Porter last week, offering me the place.”

Ben took the letter from his pocket and handed it to the young man.

The latter ran his eye over it hastily. He examined the signature and the address, and said quietly ”I don't think this letter came from our store.”

Ben felt as if the earth had opened before him.

”I don't understand it,” he said, his face very red. ”If the letter isn't genuine, who could have written it?”

”It seems written in a schoolboy hand,” said young Porter. ”Isn't it possible that some one may be playing a practical joke on you?”

”It wouldn't be much of a joke to me,” said Ben.

”I should call it a mean trick myself,” said Porter; ”but can't you think of any one who may have written it?”

”I'll bet it's Sam Archer.”

”And who is Sam Archer?”