"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 passed 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 passed 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.