On reaching New York, Rudolph made his way at once to the shop from which he had obtained his Quaker dress.

Has thee come back?” asked the old man, in a jocular tone.

Yea, verily,” answered Rudolph.

How do you like being a Quaker?”

“I’ve had enough of it. I want you to take them back. You promised to return me twenty-five dollars.”

“Let me look at them,” said the old man, cautiously. “They’ve seen hard usage,” he said. “Look at that rip, and that spot.”

“Humbug!” answered Rudolph. “There’s nothing but what you can set straight in half an hour, and five dollars is handsome pay for that.”

But the old man stood out for seven, and finally the tramp, though grumbling much, was obliged to come to his terms.

Where have you been?” asked the old man, whose curiosity was aroused as to what prompted Rudolph to obtain the disguise.

That’s my business,” said Rudolph, who had his reasons for secrecy, as we know.

I meant no offense—I only wondered if you left the city.”

“Yes, I’ve been into New Jersey,” answered the tramp, who thought it politic to put the costumer on the wrong scent. “You see, I’ve got an old uncle—a Quaker—living there. The old man’s got plenty of money, and I thought if I could only make him think me a good Quaker, I should stand a good chance of being remembered in his will.”

“I see—a capital idea. Did it work?”

“I can’t tell yet. He gave me four dollars and his blessing for the present,” said Rudolph, carelessly.

That’s a lie, every word of it!” said the old man to himself, after the tramp went out. “You must try to fix up a more probable story next time, Mr. Rudolph. He’s been up to some mischief, probably. However, it’s none of my business. I’ve made seven dollars out of him, and that pays me well—yes, it pays me well.”

When Rudolph left the costumer’s, it occurred to him that the tramp’s dress which he had resumed had better be changed, partly because he thought it probable that a journey lay before him. He sought out a large readymade clothing establishment on Broadway, and with the money which had been returned to him obtained a respectable-looking suit, which quite improved his appearance. He regarded his reflection in a long mirror with considerable satisfaction. He felt that he would now be taken for a respectable citizen, and that in discarding his old dress he had removed all vestiges of the tramp. In this, however, he was not wholly right. His face and general expression he could not change. A careful observer could read in them something of the life he had led. Still, he was changed for the better, and it pleased him.

Now,” he reflected, “I had better go and see Mrs. Harvey Middleton. I have done the work, and I shall claim the reward.”

He hurried to the St. Regis, and, experienced now in the ways of obtaining access to a guest, he wrote his name on a card and sent it up.

The lady will see you,” was the answer brought back by the servant.

Of course she will,” thought Rudolph. “She’ll want to know whether it’s all settled, and she has no further cause for fear.”

Mrs. Middleton looked up as he entered.

Sit down, Mr. Rugg,” she said, politely.

Her manner was cool and composed; but when the servant had left the room, she rose from her chair, and in a tone which showed the anxiety which she had till then repressed, she asked, abruptly: “Well, Mr. Rugg, have you any news for me?”

“Yes, ma’am, I have,” he answered, deliberately.

What is it? Don’t keep me in suspense,” she said, impatiently.

The job’s done,” said Rudolph, briefly.

You mean that the boy—?—” “Accidentally fell down a well and was killed,” said the visitor, finishing the sentence.

Horrible!” murmured the lady.

Wasn’t it?” said Rudolph, with a grin. “He must have been very careless.”

Mrs. Middleton did not immediately speak. Though she was responsible for this crime, having instigated it, she was really shocked when it was brought home to her.

You are sure he is dead?” she said, after a pause.

When a chap pitches head first down a well thirty feet deep, there isn’t much hope for him, is there?”

“No, I suppose not. Where did this accident happen?” asked the lady.
............