"I have put my valise in the baggage-room," said Guy, and got a check for it. "I am glad you are going to take a room with me. I wish you would join me altogether." "Then you'd have to pay expenses for both, as I have no money." "That would be an objection, as I have only about enough money for my own use." The two boys went out together, but, both being hungry, decided to postpone purchasing the valise until after dinner. They went into a restaurant on Fulton Street, and ordered a dinner at moderate cost, which they enjoyed with great relish. They were of an age to have a hearty appetite. "It seems strange to me to be eating here," said Dean. "I never before ate at a hotel or restaurant." "Your life must have been very quiet," said Guy. "Yes; but I expect to have some excitement now." "In what business is your employer?" "I don't know," answered Dean. Guy regarded him with surprise. "You are going to work for him, are you not?" "Yes." "And yet you don't know what business he is in?" "No." "What are you to do? Have you any idea?" "I am to be private secretary, or clerk, I believe." "Are you to get good pay?" "Twenty-five dollars a month and my board," answered Dean proudly. Guy looked amazed. "That's a pretty steep salary to pay a green boy from the country. No offense, Dean. You are green, you know." "Yes, I know I am, but I don't mean to stay so." "I don't believe you will. You look as if you'd learn fast." "I'll try to, at any rate." After dinner they found a place near the corner of Wall Street and Broadway, where Dean bought a valise of neat appearance and good quality for three dollars. He adopted Mr. Kirby's suggestion, and, opening his bundle, put the contents into his new purchase. "Now you don't look so countrified," said Guy. They turned down Wall Street, looking curiously into the windows as they passed. At one—a broker's office—Dean found something to surprise him. At a large counter stood Mr. Kirby with a roll of bills before him—the same, no doubt, that Dean had seen him counting at the hotel. He appeared to be purchasing government bonds, for a clerk passed him several, and gathered up the bills in exchange. "What do you see that's so interesting?" asked Guy. "That man at the counter is my employer." "Humph! I don't like his looks. He seems to have plenty of money, though." CHAPTER XVII. AN EVENING AT NIBLO'S. "I wish I knew whether that money I saw Mr. Kirby counting belonged to my poor uncle," thought Dean. He didn't venture to take his boy friend into his confidence, for his suspicions, strong as they were, might prove to do his employer injustice. At any rate he resolved to keep on the lookout for additional evidence which might tend either to confirm or to disprove them.