Part 53 (1/2)
For a moment there was silence, and then Horace Sumner stopped short before Hal.
”There is another matter I might mention,” he said. ”Caleb Allen is going, or rather, has gone, into business for himself.”
”What kind of business?” asked the youth, in surprise.
”A brokerage and loan office.”
”Near here?”
”Yes, right around the corner of Broad Street, not five minutes, walk.
He hired the place from the first, and I understand he and another man are already doing business there.”
”Who is the other man?”
”A fellow named Parsons.”
”Has he a good reputation?”
”Far from it. He was arrested for forgery five years ago, but his friends hushed the matter up.”
”Have you the number of the place?”
”Yes, here it is. What do you intend to do?”
”I don't know. I'll take a look at the place. That will do no harm.
Perhaps Hardwick will call on Mr. Allen.”
After a few words more Hal left the private office, and pa.s.sed out on Wall Street.
He soon turned the corner into Broad Street, the second great money center of New York, and presently came to the building in which was situated the offices now occupied by the firm of Allen & Parsons.
The offices were down three steps, and as Hal pa.s.sed on the pavement above, a small sign pasted in the corner of the window attracted his attention:
YOUNG MAN WANTED. RAPID WRITER.
Stopping short, Hal descended the steps, and peered into the window. A middle-aged man stood at the front desk, smoking a cigar and writing.
”That must be either Mr. Parsons or a book-keeper,” thought Hal.
Then a sudden determination sprang up in his mind. Without a second thought he entered the office and walked up to the desk.
The man looked up, and laid down his cigar.
”Well, sir, what is it?” he asked, in a pleasant voice.
”Is this one of the proprietors?”
”Yes, I am Mr. Parsons.”