Wade was determined to do his work in the most thorough manner, and he went into all the neighboring stores and offices. At last he was compelled to give it up, and returned to the restaurant; and it was about five o’clock when he arrived. He went in as though he belonged there, and looked about for Mr. Flinker. He did not see him, and one of the waiters followed him up to serve him with whatever he might desire for his supper. “Will you take a seat here?” said the man, pulling out a chair for him. “No: I don’t want my supper now,” replied Wade. “Can you tell me where Mr. Flinker is?” “That’s Mr. Flinker behind the counter,” answered the waiter. “I know; but the younger Mr. Flinker,” said Wade, who was surprised to see the old gentleman; for the proprietor had told him his father was there only in the middle of the day. “I don’t know any thing about any young Mr. Flinker; but I dare say the old gentleman can tell you.” Wade did not like to talk to the old gentleman, for he had the feeling that he would think he was stepping into his place, so he sat down and waited, hoping the owner of the establishment would soon appear. He waited for an hour, seated near one of the front windows of the room. Mr. Flinker the proprietor did not come; and, what was almost as bad, the old gentleman did not go. At last he attracted the attention of the old gentleman, who called a waiter, and asked him what that boy wanted. It happened to be the same one that had spoken to Wade. The man told him that the boy wished to see the young Mr. Flinker. “Whom do you want to find?” asked Mr. Flinker, senior. “I was waiting for your son,” replied Wade, walking up to the counter. “For my son!” exclaimed the old gentleman, with a jolly laugh, as though he enjoyed a joke. “I think you will have to wait a tremendous long while for him.” “Why so, sir? won’t he be in again to-day?” asked Wade, opening his eyes very wide. “I don’t believe he will.” “When will he be in?” “Really, I can’t say; but I don’t expect him this year,” chuckled the old man. “You don’t expect him this year!” exclaimed Wade, who could not fathom the worthy old gentleman’s meaning. “No, young man; nor next year either. I may say I don’t expect him at all.” A customer who seemed to be intimate with Mr. Flinker, senior, came up to the counter, and helped the old man do his laughing. “I don’t understand you, sir; and I can’t see what you are laughing at,” added Wade, very much perplexed and embarrassed. “Well, young man, I don’t understand you any better than you understand me,” laughed the old man. “But what do you want of my son, in case you find him?” “I have come to go to work here.” “Oh, you have! And what do you intend to do?” “I agreed to come as cashier of this restaurant,” answered Wade; and he was afraid the old man was trying to play some joke upon him.