He said aloud: "I don't see how there can be any mistake. I received a letter from Jones & Porter last week, offering me the place."
Ben took the letter from his pocket and handed it to the young man.
The latter ran his eye over it hastily. He examined the signature and the address, and said quietly "I don't think this letter came from our store."
Ben felt as if the earth had opened before him.
"I don't understand it," he said, his face very red. "If the letter isn't genuine, who could have written it?"
"It seems written in a schoolboy hand," said young Porter. "Isn't it possible that some one may be playing a practical joke on you?"
"It wouldn't be much of a joke to me," said Ben.
"I should call it a mean trick myself," said Porter; "but can't you think of any one who may have written it?"
"I'll bet it's Sam Archer."
"And who is Sam Archer?"