"No," answered Ben, "I can't say as I have. He aint the broker that does my business." "Have you much business for a broker?" asked Charles, laughing. "I do a smashin' business in Erie and New York Central," answered Ben. "You are in the same business as the railroads," said Charles. "How is that?" "You are both baggage-smashers." "That's so; only I don't charge so much for smashin' baggage as they do." They were on Centre Street now, and a stone building with massive stone columns came in view on the west side of the street. "What building is that?" asked Charles. "That's a hotel, where they lodge people free gratis." Charles looked at his companion for information. "It's the Tombs," said Ben. "It aint so popular, though, as the hotels where they charge higher." "No, I suppose not. It looks gloomy enough." "It aint very cheerful," said Ben. "I never put up there, but that's what people say that have enjoyed that privilege." "Where is the Bowery?" "We'll soon be in it. We turn off Centre Street a little farther up." Charles was interested in all that he saw. The broad avenue which is known as the Bowery, with its long line of shops on either side, and the liberal display of goods on the sidewalk, attracted his attention, and he had numerous questions to ask, most of which Ben was able to answer. He had not knocked about the streets of New York six years for nothing. His business had carried him to all parts of the city, and he had acquired a large amount of local information, a part of which he retailed now to his cousin as they rode side by side in the horse-cars. At length they reached Thirtieth Street, and here they got out. At the distance of one block they found Madison Avenue. Examining the numbers, they readily found the house of which they were in search. It was a handsome four-story house, with a brown-stone front. "This must be Mr. Abercrombie's house," said Charles. "I didn't think Cousin Mary lived in such a nice place."