"I mean that he shall give us whatever is our due, but I don't want him to suspect that we know anything of his underhand schemes. He hasn't sold the mining stock yet." "What do you want me to do?" "Leave the matter in my hands, mother. I will keep the letter, and it will always be evidence against him. He is shrewd, and will get full value for the stock. Then we can make him hand you your share." "If you think that is best, Mark," said Mrs. Mason doubtfully. "I haven't much of a head for business." "I think I have, mother. There is nothing I like better." "Did you see Mrs. Mack about a loan? I didn't think to ask you, as your uncle came in with you when you returned from up-stairs." "Yes, I saw her, but it was of no use." "Then she won't lend us the money?" "No, she is afraid to, though I offered her twenty-five cents interest. I told her that I should have nine dollars coming in on Saturday, but she thought something might prevent my getting it." "Then I had better pawn my ring. The landlord won't wait even a day for his money." "Don't be in a hurry, mother. The rent is not due till day after to-morrow, and something may happen between now and then to put me in funds." "Perhaps you are right, Mark." Five minutes later there was a knock at the door. Opening it, Mark saw another telegraph boy in the entrance. He had a paper in his hand. "You're to go there," he said, handing Mark a card. "Put on your best clothes. It's a lady to take to the theater." "All right, Jimmy. I'll be ready in a jiffy. Do you know what theater?" "No, I don't. The lady will tell you." "Mother, I'll be home late," said Mark. "I must put on some clean clothes. Is my collar dirty?" "Yes, you had better put on a clean one. I don't like your being out so late. I thought you were through for the day." "I'll get extra pay, mother, and every little helps." "I say, Mark," said Jimmy, "you'd better wear your dress suit and diamond scarf-pin." "I would, Jimmy, only I lent 'em both to a bootblack of my acquaintance who's going to attend a ball on Fifth Avenue to-night." Jimmy laughed. "You've always got an answer ready, Mark," he said. "Well, so long! Hope you'll have a good time." "Where does the lady live, Mark?" asked Mrs. Mason. "At No. 90 West Forty-Fifth Street. I haven't much time to spare. I must go as soon as I can get ready." It was half-past seven o'clock before Mark rang the bell at a fine brown stone house on West Forty-Fifth Street. The door was opened by a colored servant, who, without speaking to Mark, turned his head, and called out: "The messenger's come, Miss Maud." "I'm _so_ glad," said a silvery voice, as a young lady of twenty, already dressed for the street, came out of a room on the left of the hall. Mark took off his hat politely. "So you are the messenger boy?" she said. "You are to take me to Daly's Theater." "Yes, miss. So I heard."