He could not help but smile to himself, and Parsons saw the smile, but misinterpreted it.
"He feels good over dropping into a situation, I suppose," he muttered. "Well, if he's a stranger in New York and alone, he is probably just the fellow for Allen's work. It won't do to have a chap around who is too well acquainted."
Hal had made four copies of the letter when the front door opened, and Caleb Allen entered.
The broker looked rather surprised when he saw Hal, but he did not recognize the youth, and Hal drew a deep sigh of relief.
"Got a clerk, eh?" said Allen, to his new partner.
"Yes," replied Parsons. "Hallen, this is Mr. Allen, your other employer."
Hal bowed. Then Allen turned to an office in the rear, and Parsons immediately followed him.
The door, which was partly of ground glass, was tightly closed.
Hal waited for an instant, and then, leaving the desk, tiptoed his way to the rear.
By listening intently, he could just catch what was said.