CHAPTER PAGE
I. A Great Surprise, [7]
II. Mr. Talbot and the Dog, [15]
III. The Little Plot against Robert, [24]
IV. Mr. Talbot is Mystified, [33]
V. A Crisis, [42]
VI. On the Train, [51]
VII. Baffled, [59]
VIII. Peril, [67]
IX. At the Palmer House, [75]
X. Robert Gets a Place, [83]
XI. Mr. Palmer's Infatuation, [92]
XII. An Unlooked-for Scene, [101]
XIII. Robert Receives a Letter, [110]
XIV. James Talbot Learns Something of Importance, [118]
XV. The Result of a Fire, [127]
XVI. Two Disappointments, [136]
XVII. Robert is Given a Mission, [143]
XVIII. The Post-office Money Order, [150]
XIX. An Unexpected Attack, [160]
XX. The Escape of Cross and Huskin, [169]
XXI. Robert and the Old Lumberman, [178]
XXII. A Clever Capture, [187]
XXIII. Palmer's Unfortunate Début, [197]
XXIV. Palmer Calls upon Robert's Mother, [209]
XXV. Another Talk about Robert, [215]
XXVI. Robert Speaks his Mind, [222]
XXVII. Mr. Talbot Receives another Set-back, [229]
XXVIII. The Conspirators are Disgusted, [236]
XXIX. A Lucky Change of Staterooms, [245]
XXX. Another Plot against Robert, [253]
XXXI. The Missing Baggage Check, [261]
XXXII. Robert Delivers the Precious Map, [269]
XXXIII. Robert Visits Home—Conclusion, [279]

OUT FOR BUSINESS.

[CHAPTER I.]

A GREAT SURPRISE.

Robert Frost, with his books under his arm, turned into the front yard of a handsome residence in the village of Granville. He was a boy of sixteen, strongly built, and with a handsome, expressive face.

"I wish mother were at home," he soliloquized. "It seems very lonesome when she is away."

He opened the front door and let himself into the house. It was a handsome and spacious hall. Two paintings hung on the walls, and both were portraits. One represented a lady, with a pretty, but rather weak face. She looked as if she had very little resolution, and might easily be influenced by one with stronger will. The other picture was that of a man of near forty. It was an attractive face. The strong resemblance which it bore to the boy made it probable that it was his father, and such was the case. Robert looked up to it regretfully, for he had not yet got over the loss of his father, hardly twelve months dead.

"I wish dad were alive," he thought sadly, "we were such good friends, he and I."