One evening on his return from West Fifty-sixth Street he strayed into the Fifth Avenue Hotel, where he sat down to rest in the reading room. Two men were sitting near him whose conversation he could not help hearing. "I own a considerable plot in Tacoma," said one. "I bought it two years since, when I was on my way back from California. I should like to sell the plot if I could get a purchaser." "If the Northern Pacific Railroad is ever completed, the land will be valuable," replied the other. "True; but will it ever be completed? That date will be very remote, I fancy." "I don't think so. I would buy the land myself if I had the money, but just at present I have none to spare. How much did you invest?" "A thousand dollars." "You might sell, perhaps, through a real estate agent?" "The real estate agents here know very little of Western property. I should not know to whom to apply." Andy thought he saw a chance to procure business for his firm. "Gentlemen," he said, "will you excuse my saying that I am in a real estate office, and think you can make some satisfactory arrangement with us?" At the same time he handed the owner of the Tacoma property a card of the firm. "Crawford!" repeated his friend. "Yes, that is a reputable firm. You cannot do better than adopt the young man's suggestion." Andy Grant had written his name on the card. "You are rather young for a real estate agent, Mr. Grant," remarked the lot owner. Andy smiled. "I am only a subordinate," he said. "Has your principal ever dealt in Western property?" asked Mr. Bristol. "Not to any extent, but I have heard him speak favorably of it." "I will call at your office to-morrow forenoon, then." Andy apprised Mr. Crawford of the appointment made. "I shall be glad to see your acquaintance, Andy," said Mr. Crawford. "I have advices from a friend of mine in Washington that the railroad is sure to be completed within a short time. This land will be worth buying. Have you any money?" "I have a hundred dollars in a savings bank," answered Andy. "Then I will give you a quarter interest in the purchase, and you can give me a note for the balance which at present you are unable to pay. I am sure we shall make a good deal of money within a short time, and I want you to reap some advantage, as it will have come to me through you." "Thank you, sir. I shall be very glad to have a share in the investment." About eleven o'clock, James Bristol, who proved to be a resident of Newark, New Jersey, presented himself at the office and was introduced by Andy to Mr. Crawford. "Andy has told me of your business," said the real estate agent. "You have some property in Tacoma." "Yes; I was persuaded to invest in some two years since. Now I need the money. Do you think you can find me a customer?" "What do you ask for it?" "A thousand dollars--the same price I paid." "Is it eligibly situated?" "If the town ever amounts to anything, it will be in the business part."