"What is your name?"
"Frank Hallen," replied Hal, using the cognomen of one of his poor-house associates.
"Very well, Hallen. Are you ready to go to work at once?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then come inside."
Hal walked behind the railing, and Parsons showed him where to place his coat and hat.
"Here is a copy of a letter I wish duplicated ten times. You can go to work at this second desk. At one o'clock you can take half an hour for lunch."
"Yes, sir."
Hal gathered his material about him, and went to work as if his very life depended on it.
"He seems to be an awfully shrewd man," he thought, meaning Parsons. "I wonder what he would say if he knew I had taken the job merely as a blind?"