In fact, he was kept on the jump attending to local customers all the morning. A raw young farmer had come in to blushingly buy a friendship ring. Several curious townspeople strolled to the office door, and out of good nature invested in various knickknacks displayed. One boy bought a false moustache, and within an hour twenty others visited the place clamoring for duplicates. “About to-morrow the answers to our circulars will begin to come in,” observed Markham. “That will be the real test of the merit of this business.” “We will close up for the afternoon,” said Frank. “There’s a lot of little things to do about the house and lot mother has rented. I promised she should have our help for half a day.” After dinner Frank and Markham put on some old clothes and set briskly at work. They mended the back stoop of the cottage, propped up a fence, raked the yard and got the wood shed in order. About four o’clock both started in at the cistern at the side of the house. Its top had settled in, and new boards were required here and there, and a new trough from the house eaves. Markham was holding a board that Frank was nailing, when some one passing by on the street whistling caused both to look up. “Don’t let go--the board will spring loose,” warned Frank, turning quickly as the pressure from the board end was suddenly removed--“why, Markham--” “Oh, the mischief!” muttered Markham. In wonderment and consternation at a swift glance Frank noticed a strangely startled expression on his companion’s face. Then, his eyes fixed steadfastly upon the street, Markham deliberately jumped down into the cistern out of sight. CHAPTER XVII A NEST EGG “Quick, grab the pole!” shouted Frank. As he spoke he thrust a long scantling down into the cistern. “Reach for my hand--grab it. You’ll be drowned,” continued Frank. “Don’t bother--I’m all safe,” came up Markham’s hollow tones. “There’s only about three feet of water here.” “How did you ever come to slip in?” asked Frank. “Say,” spoke Markham, not replying to the direct inquiry, “while I’m in here I may as well see if everything is sound and straight with the cistern.” Frank saw him flare a match. Some curious thoughts were running through Frank’s mind as to the strange actions of his companion and helper. Before he could analyze them, however, Frank saw Bob Haven turn in at the gate. He had a package under his arm. Bob stood still for a moment to gaze after the person who had just preceded him. This latter was a young man, dressed loudly in brand new clothes, waving a slender cane with a dandified air, his whole bearing suggesting a person trying to look important and attract attention. This was the fellow the sight of whom had apparently induced Markham to plunge out of sight into the cistern. Bob Haven stared hard after the receding figure of the stranger. “Well, well!” he was saying as he approached Frank. “What’s the matter, Bob?” inquired Frank.