briskly, he takes every care to hide the source of his supply from his
rivals in trade. But this is almost impossible. Cases are frequent where
such boys are subjected to the closest espionage, their steps being
dogged for hours by boys who think they have found a good thing and are
determined to share it. In the present case Paul had hit upon an idea
which seemed to promise well, and he was determined to keep it to
himself as long as possible. As soon as he was subjected to competition
and rivalry his gains would probably diminish.



CHAPTER II

PAUL AT HOME

Paul went up Centre street and turned into Pearl. Stopping before a
tenement-house, he entered, and, going up two flights of stairs, opened
a door and entered.

"You are home early, Paul," said a woman of middle age, looking up at
his entrance.

"Yes, mother; I've sold out."

"You've not sold out the whole fifty packages?" she asked, in surprise.

"Yes, I have. I had capital luck."

"Why, you must have made as much as a dollar, and it's not twelve yet."