"I hope you are at leisure, Crawford," he said.

 

"But I am not, Mr. Grayling. I am unusually busy."

 

"I wanted you to go out and show me that house in Mount Vernon which you mentioned to me the other day. My wife is desirous of moving from the city for the sake of the children."

 

"Won't to-morrow do?"

 

"To-morrow I shall be busy myself. To-day is so fine that I managed to get off. Can't you manage to go?"

 

"No, Grayling, I can't possibly be spared from the office."

 

"Is there no one you can send with me?"

 

Mr. Crawford hesitated a moment. Then, as his eye fell upon Andy, he had a sudden thought.

 

"I will send this young man," he said.

 

Mr. Grayling smiled.

 

"He seems quite a young man," he said.

 

"Yes," said Mr. Crawford, with an answering smile, "he is several years short of forty."

 

"If you think he will do I shall be glad of his company."

 

"Wait five minutes, and I will give him the necessary instructions."

 

"Have you ever been in Mount Vernon, Andy?" asked his employer.

 

"Yes, sir; I have a boy friend there, and I once spent a Sunday there."

 

"Mr. Grayling wishes to purchase a residence there. I shall place him in your charge, and give you an order for the key. I will mention some points to which I wish you to call his attention."

 

Andy was pleased with the commission. It seemed like a step in advance.

 

"Thank you, Mr. Crawford, for your confidence in me."

 

"If you succeed in selling the house to Mr. Grayling, I will give you one per cent. commission."

 

"I will do my best, sir. I have no claim to anything except through your kindness."

 

"Now let me see how much business ability you have."

 

Andy and the prospective purchaser took the cars at the Grand Central Station, and in forty minutes found themselves in Mount Vernon.

 

At the depot, much to his satisfaction, Andy found his friend, Tom Blake.

 

"What brings you here, Andy?" asked Tom, in surprise.

 

"I have come to show the Griffith house to this gentleman. Can you direct me to it?"

 

"I will go with you."

 

"Thank you, Tom. You will be doing me a favor. Is it far?"

 

"Little more than half a mile."

 

"Shall we walk or ride, Mr. Grayling?"

 

"Walk, by all means. It is a charming day, and a walk will do me good."

 

They reached the house. It was a spacious country residence in good condition, and Mr. Grayling was favorably impressed. The key was procured and they entered.

 

The interior bore out the promise of the exterior. The rooms were well and even handsomely finished. They were twelve in number, and there was a good-sized bathroom.

 

"I wonder if the plumbing is good?" said Mr. Grayling.

 

"I will test it as far as I can," said Andy.

 

"You seem to have a good deal of experience for one so young."

 

"No, sir, not very much, but I have made a careful study of the subject. Mr. Crawford has a good architectural library, and I have made use of it."

 

After a careful inspection, Andy made a favorable report.

 

"Of course," he said, "if I am mistaken we will make matters right."

 

"That will be satisfactory. What is your price for the house?"

 

"Eight thousand dollars."

 

Mr. Grayling, after a brief consideration, said:

 

"That seems reasonable. I will buy the house. How soon can you give me possession?"

 

"In a week."

 

"Very good. Then our business seems to be concluded. We will catch the next train back to the city."

 

"Would you mind giving me a memorandum stating that you will buy the house?"