CHAPTER XIV.
WORK OBTAINED.
The establishment to which the leather merchant had brought Richard was an imposing one, situated in a massive stone building, and having large and heavy plate glass doors and windows. A formidable array of blank-books and sets of well-known authors' works were piled up in the window which bore the firm's name:
WILLIAMS & MANN.
Directly to the left of the entrance inside, stood a great safe, and further on appeared an almost interminable row of shelves and drawers, all apparently crammed with articles pertaining to the stationery and book trade.
Stepping up to a salesman Mr. Joyce inquired:
"Is Mr. Williams in?"
"Mr. Williams has gone to Chicago," was the polite reply.
"Chicago, eh? When will he be back?"
"We expect him back day after to-morrow; possibly to-morrow afternoon."