"I will take a day to consider it. I shall only stay here half an hour and then go up to the house."
When Mr. Flint left the store, Simon Rich said:
"The old man took Andy"s discharge more quietly than I antic.i.p.ated."
"Do you think he will let me stay, Uncle Simon?"
"I can"t tell yet. One thing I must tell you--you won"t stay long unless you turn over a new leaf and attend to your duties."
"I"ll do that, never fear! What I am afraid of is, that Andy will come around and tell a lot of lies."
"I don"t think it will work. You see, the p.a.w.n ticket was found in his pocket. He can"t get over that very well."
John knew more than his uncle of the nature of Andy"s defense, and he could not help feeling apprehensive.
Soon after six o"clock Andy made his appearance at Mr. Flint"s house, where he was cordially received.
"I have heard the story of Mr. Rich, Andy," he said. "Now let me have your defense."
"I can give it very briefly. The watch was p.a.w.ned by John Crandall. Of course it was given him by Mr. Rich."
"How did you find that out?"
"I went around to the p.a.w.nbroker"s, and obtained a description of the boy who p.a.w.ned the watch. It tallied exactly with John"s appearance.
That was not all. I met, the same day, a boy named Jimmy Callahan. He saw John coming out of the p.a.w.nbroker"s the day before the charge was made against me."
"That is pretty conclusive. Can you explain how the ticket was put in your pocket?"
"No, sir; that puzzles me."
"It could easily be done, no doubt. Now, do you want to return to my employ?"
"No, sir, I think not. I am in a real estate office, and I think there is more chance for me to rise."
"How did you obtain the position?"
"Through Mrs. Mason, of West Fifty-sixth Street. She has been a very good friend to me. The gentleman who employs me is her brother."
"I shall be sorry to lose you, Andy, but I wish you to consult your own interest. As to John Crandall, I shall discharge him at once. I will not permit him to profit by the conspiracy against you. Can you stay this evening?"
"No, sir. I am helping Mrs. Mason"s son, Roy, in his Latin lessons. For this I am paid five dollars per week."
"You seem to be very well provided for, I must say."
"Yes, sir, I have been fortunate."
The next day Mr. Flint notified Simon Rich that he was acquainted with the manner in which evidence had been procured against Andy. Then he turned to the nephew.
"The watch was p.a.w.ned by you, John," he said, "under the direction of your uncle."
"No, sir," said John. "If Andy Grant has told you this he has told a lie."
"The matter is easily settled. Come around with me to the p.a.w.nbroker"s."
John stammered and finally confessed.
"Of course I cannot retain your services after this. You, Mr. Rich, may remain till the end of the month. I shall then feel obliged to make a change."
Never were two conspirators more quickly punished. Simon Rich repented bitterly yielding to the temptation to injure Andy. His malice had recoiled upon himself.
CHAPTER XXIV.
ANDY MAKES AN INVESTMENT.
Andy wrote to his friend, Walter Gale, who, it will be remembered, was watching in Pennsylvania by the bedside of his uncle, giving him an account of his change of business. He received the following reply:
"I felt indignant when I read your news of the conspiracy of Simon Rich, but was pleased that it led to your advantage. I am inclined to think that you will find your new business a better one than the jewelry trade. The latter, if you went in for yourself, would call for a large capital. In the real estate business capital is not so much needed as good judgment and a large lot of acquaintances. I am not personally acquainted with Mr. Crawford, but know him by reputation as an energetic and honorable business man. If you do not find your income adequate, all you have to do is to apply to me. I will send you fifty dollars or more at any time.
"Now, as to the prospects of my return, they are remote. My uncle seems cheered by my presence, and his health has improved. He cannot live more than a year or two at the best, but when I came here it seemed to be only a matter of months. I shall remain while I can do him good.
"When Mr. Flint returns he will do you justice. You can afford to wait, as your income is larger than before. You suggest that I need not continue to pay your board. This, however, I intend to do, and will advise you to lay aside some money every week, and deposit in a savings bank. The habit of saving is excellent, and cannot be formed too early."
"I am lucky to have such a friend," reflected Andy, as he finished reading this letter. "I will try to make myself worthy of such good fortune."
At the end of six months Andy had acquired a large practical acquaintance with the real estate business. He displayed a degree of judgment which surprised Mr. Crawford.
"You seem more like a young man than a boy," he said. "I am not at all sure but I could leave my business in your hands if I wished to be absent."
This compliment pleased Andy. He had also been raised to seven dollars a week, and this he regarded as a practical compliment.
One evening on his return from West Fifty-sixth Street he strayed into the Fifth Avenue Hotel, where he sat down to rest in the reading room.
Two men were sitting near him whose conversation he could not help hearing.
"I own a considerable plot in Tacoma," said one. "I bought it two years since, when I was on my way back from California. I should like to sell the plot if I could get a purchaser."
"If the Northern Pacific Railroad is ever completed, the land will be valuable," replied the other.
"True; but will it ever be completed? That date will be very remote, I fancy."
"I don"t think so. I would buy the land myself if I had the money, but just at present I have none to spare. How much did you invest?"
"A thousand dollars."