"I'm glad for one reason. I have taken a very good boy in your place—David Williams—and I would not like to discharge him."
"I hear Leslie has left you also."
"Yes. He has gone on the stage, I believe," said the clerk, smiling. "Have you any plans in that direction?"
"No; I couldn't make as much as the wages you were paying me."
"I doubt if Leslie will find the change to his advantage."
"Whom have you in his place?"
"A boy named Bernard Benton. He is also a good boy. By the way, a letter came for you yesterday. Here it is."
Rupert supposed the letter might be from his mother, but on reading the address he found that it was in a business hand. He opened the envelope and read as follows.
"Mr. Rupert Rollins—
"Dear Sir: I learn that you are the owner of two lots on One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street, in Harlem. I should like to buy them, and am willing to pay you seven thousand dollars for the two.
"Yours truly,
"Albert Crossman."