"I have been rather short of money lately," continued Mr. Kirby, "because I was not willing to sell out my shares except at the top of the market. However I think I may venture to sell now."
Dean made no comment He did not believe that Kirby owned any mining shares at all.
"Shall I mail the letter for you, Mr. Kirby?" asked the young secretary.
"No; I shall be going out myself," answered his employer. "You may hand me the letter when you have put it in the envelope."
Kirby carelessly dropped the letter into his pocket, and when Dean was out of the way he destroyed it. It was never intended to be mailed.
"The boy looks skeptical," said Kirby to himself, as he sent Dean to the office to buy a postage stamp. "It isn't easy to pull the wool over his eyes. I must get rid of him, and that soon."
CHAPTER XXI.
DEAN BECOMES HIS OWN MASTER.
Two days later Dean and his employer reached a small town in Iowa which we will call Clifton. They passed the night at the American Hotel, and occupied a room with two beds. Kirby rose first in the morning, and went out, leaving Dean asleep.