"Was he in his telegraph uniform?"
"No; he had on a nice new suit, as handsome as mine. He had a rose in his buttonhole and looked quite like a dude."
"How very extraordinary!" ejaculated Solon.
"I thought you would say so."
"Why, they are living from hand to mouth, steeped in poverty."
"So I thought, but it doesn't seem like it."
"The boy must be very cheeky, but even so, I can't account for his success. I shall have to call on his mother and ask what it means."
CHAPTER XXVI.
AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION.
A week later Mark received the follow letter:
"Mark Mason: Please call at my office as soon as convenient.