“That’s all right,” replied Vance, briskly. “The amount has been left to me to fill in.” “Eh?” exclaimed Mr. Peabody, in a tone of surprise. Vance repeated his remark. “By George, young man, he seems to place implicit confidence in you!” and the head of the elevator firm once more looked Vance over, and with some curiosity. Mr. Peabody, having decided to close up the transaction on the terms of the option, which he was legally bound to do, since Vance could not be bluffed into accepting less favorable ones, the differences were calculated, and the boy filled in the check designated as “A,” requesting a receipt for the amount, which was immediately made out and handed to him. Mr. Whitemore thus became the owner of something over a million bushels of corn stored in elevators A, B, and C. This completed Vance’s business in Omaha. On his way back to the hotel he stopped at the postoffice, and forwarded to his employer, in care of the Chicago National Bank, the receipt for the money covered by the check. Then he went to dinner, after which he spent an hour viewing some of the sights of the western city. At four o’clock he took a cab for the Union Depot, bought a ticket for Kansas City, and took his seat in a Pullman sleeper. He arrived at his destination about midnight, drove to one of the principal hotels and went to bed, after taking the precaution to deposit his valuable papers in the office safe. There were three different elevator firms he had to visit in this city. He presented himself at the first at ten o’clock. Here his youth was also unfavorably commented on in a transaction which involved 600,000 bushels of grain, and the head of the firm was inclined to hold off, until Vance insisted that he should communicate with his employer in Chicago. Not being able to get Mr. Walcott on the long-distance ’phone, Vance suggested that he call up Flint, Peabody & Co., of Omaha. The gentleman, after some demur, consented to do this, being personally acquainted with Mr. Peabody, and the result of the confab was so satisfactory that Vance completed his business with him, getting a call on the corn, as the option did not expire until the next day. At the offices of the other two elevators Vance had very little trouble, his power of attorney and letters of introduction being accepted without question, and no attempt being made to evade the terms of the option. “That winds up this town,” he said in a tone of satisfaction as he left the last place. “It is easier than I expected. Now for the postoffice.” He inquired the way there, purchased a stamped envelope, and sent off the three receipts by registered mail, according to his instructions. “I’ve got lots of time now, as the next option at Grainville does not expire until Friday,” he reflected as he took a car for his hotel. “Guess I’ll take in a show to-night.” He reached the hotel in time for lunch.