"Thank you, sir, but I don't think there is any doubt about my situation. If you have nothing further to say to me I will return to my work." When Benton had retired Mr. Lorimer turned to Julian angrily. "There," he said, "I have lost one of my best salesmen, whom I was getting dirt cheap, on account of your misconduct." Julian was rather taken aback at this reproach. "You can get lots of men in his place, pa," he said. "Not at the same wages. Now go away, I am busy." "I wish I knew where he is going to work," thought Julian. "I might write an anonymous letter to his employer. I hate him. He puts on too many airs for a cheap clerk." Julian's malicious plot had certainly failed signally. The next day about one o'clock he was passing the Somerset Hotel, on lower Broadway, just as Rupert was coming out on an errand. Julian at once noticed the watch chain. As he had never known of Rupert's owning a watch, his curiosity was excited. "What time is it?" he asked, jeeringly. Rupert took out his watch. "Five minutes after one," he answered. The watch was a handsome one, as Julian noticed. "Is that your watch?" he asked, abruptly. "Yes." "Is it oroide?" "No; it is gold. Do you wish to look at it?" Julian's curiosity was such that he took it into his hand. He could see at once that it was a genuine and probably expensive gold watch. "You must be making high pay to afford a watch like this," he said, in a tone of annoyance. "It was a present." "From whom?" "A friend up town." Julian dropped the watch and went on his way in an ill humor. He had a watch himself, but it was of less than half the value of Rupert's. He inwardly resolved to ask his father for a new one. CHAPTER XVII. MR. PACKARD OF COLORADO. In a short time the Bentons were settled in a neat flat located near Washington Square. They purchased additional furniture on the installment plan, and were able to offer Rupert a home more desirable than the room he had occupied. The new prosperity was reflected in the faces of the now happy wife and mother. "It is you who have brought this happy change in our circumstances, Rupert," she said. "I tremble to think what would have been our condition but for you." "In return you give me a pleasant home," said Rupert. At the hotel things went on pleasantly. Rupert's services were appreciated, and this was pleasant, though his salary had not been increased. Clarence Clayton never entered the hotel now. Rupert wondered what had become of him. But one Thursday afternoon--his afternoon off--he strayed down to the Battery.