"Well, I'll go round and talk with them. Where can I meet you
afterwards?"

"I'll be standin' here, if you ain't gone too long."

"What's your name?"

"Tom Cooper."

"I am Ben Stanton. Thank you for your advice."

"You're a good feller if you do come from the country. Just look out
for them fellers. Don't let 'em hook you in."

"All right, Tom."

Ben moved on, watching the numbers as he walked slowly along, till
he came to the one mentioned in the advertisement. There was a
hallway and a staircase, with a directory of persons occupying
offices on the floors above. From this Ben ascertained that Fitch &
Ferguson occupied Room 17, on the fourth floor.

"I wonder what business they are in," thought our hero as he mounted
the stairs. "They must have considerable or they wouldn't need so
many boys-that is, if they are on the square."

Presently he stood in front of a door bearing the number 17.

He knocked for admittance.