“I’m in a position to get you a better job,” the man continued. “I’m in a big real estate firm, the Universal we call it, and we need a bright boy. I have some friends in the City Hall here, some of the aldermen, and they said you would be a good lad for the place.” “I don’t know how the aldermen ever heard of me,” remarked Larry. “Well, I guess you’ve been around the Hall a good bit,” the man went on. “You were at the insurance hearing, weren’t you?” “I carried copy for one of the reporters,” said Larry. “Well, anyhow,” resumed the stranger, “do you think you’d like to work in a real estate office? There’s plenty of chances to make money, besides what we would pay you as a salary. We could give you twenty dollars a week to start. How would that strike you?” Larry was puzzled how to answer. The pay was five dollars a week more than he was getting, and if the man told the truth about the chance to make extra money, it might mean a good deal to the lad and his mother. “I’ll think about it,” said the young reporter. “I’ll have to talk with my mother about it.” “I’ve seen your mother, and she says it’s all right,” the man said, quickly. “If you want to you can come with me now, and I’ll start you in at once. You’d better come. The offer is a good one, and I can’t hold it open long.” Now Larry, though rather young, was inclined to be cautious. It seemed strange that a man, whom, as far as the reporter knew, he had never seen before, should take such a sudden interest in him, and should even go to see Mrs. Dexter to ask if Larry could take another position. Then, too, the stranger seemed altogether too eager to get Larry to leave his position on the _Leader_. The man saw Larry’s hesitancy. “I’ll make it twenty-five dollars a week,” he said. “Better come.” “I can’t decide right away,” the boy returned. “I must see my mother.” “Do you doubt my word?” asked the stranger somewhat angrily. “No,” said Larry. “But even if my mother gave her permission I could not leave the _Leader_ without giving some notice to Mr. Emberg. It would not be right.” “Don’t worry about that,” sneered the man. “They would never bother about giving you notice if they wanted you to leave. They’d fire you in a second, if it suited them. Why should you give any notice?” The man appeared so eager, and seemed to place so much importance on Larry’s taking the offer, that the boy became more suspicious than ever, that all was not as it should be. “I will think it over,” said he. “If you will leave me your card I’ll write to you.” “If you don’t take the offer at once I can’t hold it open,” said the man, in rather unpleasant tones. “However, here’s my card. If you come to your senses, and decide to work for my company, why, I’ll see what I can do for you. Though I can’t promise anything after to-day. You’ll have to take your chance with others.” “I’ll be willing to do that if I decide to come.”