"In about an hour. It is too early yet to catch the heads of the firms."
"Going to start at any particular place?"
"Yes."
"Where?—or perhaps you don't care to tell," added Frank hastily.
"Yes, I do," replied Richard, smiling quietly. "I am going to try the stationer on the corner."
"Who? Martin? Why, he has such a small store I'm sure he doesn't need help. He and his son and a boy do all the business."
"Never mind. I made up my mind to stop at every place, and his is the first on the route; so I'll call, if only for the principle of the thing."
"That's an idea!" cried Frank. "You are bound to have a place if there is a single one vacant. Well, Dick, I trust with all my heart that you'll succeed," he added warmly.
"You had better start out, too, Frank."
"Oh—I—I don't think it's much use," said the other hesitatingly.