Julian was rather taken aback at this reproach.
"You can get lots of men in his place, pa," he said.
"Not at the same wages. Now go away, I am busy."
"I wish I knew where he is going to work," thought Julian. "I might write an anonymous letter to his employer. I hate him. He puts on too many airs for a cheap clerk."
Julian's malicious plot had certainly failed signally. The next day about one o'clock he was passing the Somerset Hotel, on lower Broadway, just as Rupert was coming out on an errand.
Julian at once noticed the watch chain. As he had never known of Rupert's owning a watch, his curiosity was excited.
"What time is it?" he asked, jeeringly.
Rupert took out his watch.
"Five minutes after one," he answered.