O LIVER did not find his work in the store very laborious. During some parts of the day there was little custom, and therefore little to do. At such times he found John Meadows, though not a refined, at any rate an amusing companion. With his friendly help he soon got a general idea of the stock and the prices. He found that the former was generally of an inferior quality, and the customers belonged to the poorer classes. Obtaining a general idea of the receipts, he began to doubt Mr. Kenyon\'s assurance of the profits of the business. He intimated as much to his fellow-clerk.

"The old man sold you," he said. "Bond doesn\'t take in more than twenty thousand dollars a year, and there isn\'t more than a tenth profit."

"You are sure of that, John?"

"Yes."

"Then Mr. Kenyon has deceived me. I wonder what for."

"Does he love you very much?"

"Who?"

"Old Kenyon."

"Not enough to hurt him," said Oliver, with a smile.

"Then he wanted to get rid of you, and made you think this was a splendid opening."

"I don\'t know but you are right," returned Oliver thoughtfully. "He seemed very kind, though."

"He\'s an old fox. I knew it as soon as I set eyes on him."

"I didn\'t enjoy myself much at home. I would just as soon be here. I don\'t like this store particularly, but I like New York."

"Lots goin\' on here all the time. Don\'t you want to go out in a torchlight procession to-night? I can get you the chance."

"No, I think not."

"I like it. I\'ve been out ever so many times. Sometimes I\'m a Democrat and sometimes I\'m a Republican. It makes no difference to me so long as I have fun."

Three weeks passed without developing anything to affect our hero\'s fortunes.

About this time Ezekiel Bond received the following note from his uncle:

I think you may as well carry out, without any further delay, the plan on which you agreed when Oliver entered your employment. I consider it desirable that he should be got rid of at once. As soon as anything happens, apprise me by letter.

B. Kenyon.

Ezekiel Bond shrugged his shoulders when he received this letter.

"I can\'t quite understand what Uncle Benjamin is driving at," he said to himself. "He\'s got the property, and I can\'t see how the boy stands in the way. However, I am under obligations to him, and must carry out his wishes."

Ten minutes later he entered the store from the back room, and said to Oliver:

"Have ............