"Now, my dear sir, what can we do for you?" and the man looked at Ned. "I have a hundred dollars to invest in your oil well." The man seemed a little disappointed. "Hum, yes, of course. Well, at the present market rate that will give you two hundred shares. You are in luck, my dear sir. We are going to put the price at a dollar a share in the morning. In fact we were going to advance it this afternoon. I will have your certificate made out at once." He took the money, which Ned held out, and touched a button on his desk. A young man entered. "Make out a certificate for two hundred shares for this gentleman, er--let's see--I'm afraid I didn't catch your name when you mentioned it." As Ned had not mentioned it the gentleman's inability to catch it might easily be forgiven. Ned supplied the necessary information, and the clerk withdrew. Another entered a moment later. He seemed much excited: "Just had a wire from Colonel Janders," he said. "The Black Cat well has increased fifty barrels a day, Mr. Skem!" "Good!" exclaimed the florid gentleman. "Tell Mr. Skim at once, and put the stock up to a dollar a share. You got in just in time," he added, turning to Ned, and our hero thought so himself. As the last clerk withdrew another one came in. "Got an order from Mr. Johnson for five thousand shares," he announced. "Shall I let him have 'em at fifty?" "Sorry to disoblige Mr. Johnson, who is a very good friend of mine," said Mr. Skem, "but I shall have to charge him a dollar. I guess he'll pay it. The stock will go to two dollars a share before the end of the week." The first clerk came back with a finely engraved certificate, on which the name "Edward Wilding" was written in a flourishing hand. "There you are," said Mr. Skem. "I hope you will take some more stock soon. If you invest before the end of the week I will, as a special favor to you, make the price seventy-five cents." Ned had half a mind to invest another hundred dollars, but he thought he had better write to his father first. Then, with the precious certificate in his pocket, he started for his uncle's house, planning to stop on the way and order his trunk sent up. CHAPTER XV IN TROUBLE By inquiring from a policeman Ned found which elevated road to take in order to get to his uncle's residence. As he found the station was close to the office of the oil company, he decided he would go direct to Mr. Kenfield's home and arrange later to have his trunk sent up. He knew his uncle had a telephone, and thought the baggage could be sent for by an order over the wire. This would save him a long trip back to the station. When Ned reached the address on West Forty-fourth street he was admitted by a maid, who asked him whom he wished to see. "Is my uncle in?" asked Ned.