Larry turned, to behold Peter Manton, a former copy boy on the newspaper, a lad with whom Larry had had numerous fallings out, and once quite a fight. He had not seen Peter often since the memorable race to get first to the telegraph office with news of the big flood. “How do you do?” asked Larry, not very cordially, for he felt that Peter was an enemy. “I’m fine,” replied Peter. “What’s your hurry? Wait, and I’ll buy you a cigarette.” “I don’t smoke cigarettes,” rejoined Larry, not caring to announce that, as yet, he did not smoke at all. “Well, don’t get mad,” said Peter, good-naturedly. “I suppose you have a grudge against me?” “Well,” replied Larry, frankly, “I think you acted pretty mean when you smashed my boat.” “I guess I did,” admitted Peter. “But you must remember I was very anxious to get my copy on the wire first.” “So was I,” added Larry, “and I beat you,” and he could not help smiling at the recollection. “And you got me fired by it,” spoke Peter, with an injured air. “How was that?” asked Larry, for though he had seen Peter since the episode, he had not had a chance to talk to him. “When the people on the _Scorcher_ found out I was responsible for your paper beating them they told me to look for another position. I didn’t have much trouble finding one, though.” “Where are you now?” asked Larry, thinking it would be no more than common politeness to ask. He was anxious to get home, however, and not very much interested in Peter or his projects. “Oh, I’m with the Universal Real Estate Company,” said Peter. “I have a swell job. Mr. Perkins is a great friend of mine.” Larry started. He recollected that it was the same company and the same man who had approached him, and who had seemed so anxious about the deed to the Bronx property. He decided he would not be in such a hurry to go home, but would make further inquiries from Peter. It might lead to something, he thought. “I wonder you don’t give up the newspaper business,” went on Peter. “It’s hard work and poor pay. Maybe I could get you into our firm,” and he spoke as though he was the senior partner. “Oh, I don’t know,” replied Larry, as if he was thinking of the matter. “I have very little knowledge of real estate.” “You don’t have to have,” spoke Peter. “You could get along all right. All you have to do is to go around and see people, get descriptions of property, and keep a few books. It’s heaps easier than chasing copy.” “I’m not chasing copy any more,” replied Larry. “I’m a regular reporter.” “That’s worse,” went on Peter. “You never know when you’re through working. Now I finish by three o’clock every day, and have the rest of the time to myself.” “Does your firm do much business?” asked Larry. “You bet. And say, it’s going to do more. If you came in with us now I could put you on to a good thing. There’s going to be a big raise in land values in a certain locality in a little while, and our firm’s going to make a lot of money.”