"Yes."
"What are your prospects of success?"
"There seem to be very few openings just now, Uncle Thomas."
"The greater reason why you should have kept the place I obtained for you. Were you going to play pool in this low place?"
"I was going to look on. A man must have some amusement," said Stephen, sullenly.
"Amusement is all you think of. However, it so happens that I have something that I wish you to do."
Stephen regarded his uncle in surprise.
"Are you going to open an office in Chicago?" he asked.
"No; the service is of a different nature. It is—secret and confidential. It is, I may say, something in the detective line."
"Then I'm your man," said his nephew, brightening up.